Hunters can already use crossbows in Pennsylvania in certain situations. Anyone who can get a doctor to say they’re physically incapable of drawing a conventional bow can get a permit to use them in any big game season. More able-bodied hunters can also use them to hunt elk, bears, and even deer in special regulations areas.

They’ve been off limits in other situations, though — most noticeably the statewide archery deer season.

At last week’s Game Commission meeting in Harrisburg, however, commissioner Russ Schleiden of Centre County asked agency staff to investigate the pros and cons of introducing crossbows to all seasons in time for the 2009-2010 hunting seasons.
He asked for a report to be presented at the agency’s October meeting, which will be held in Washington County.

“The crossbow has been approved for just about every season but one,” said Schleiden, of Centre County. “I feel it’s been long overdue.”

The idea is sure to generate lots of debate.

The United Bowhunters of Pennsylvania — the group representing the state’s organized archers — has long opposed the legalization of crossbows for the archery season.

In a report on the organization’s web site, UBP president Wes Waldron said the group opposes “the use of crossbows in the general archery season by those fully capable of drawing and holding a conventional bow.”

The previous three attempts at legalizing crossbows for Pennsylvnaia’s archery deer seasons were all sparked by requests from crossbow manufacturers, dealers, and state lawmakers, Waldron added.

Commissioner Tom Boop of Northumberland County believes that is the case again this time.

Typically, he said, commissioners make changes to game laws based on “a perceived need, or a perceived desire,” expressed by the agency’s constituents. But he said he’s heard from no hunters asking for crossbows.

“I think it’s fair to say that this is being driven by manufacturers and lobbyists and not from our stakeholder groups,” Boop said.

Indeed, the only person to testify in support of crossbows at the agency’s June meeting was a representative of a crossbow manufacturer.

Schleiden — who said he does not own a crossbow and has no plans to get one — hinted that there is broader support for the tool, though he did not specify who that might be.

“I think you’ll find out once we introduce it,” he said.

Schleiden did admit that introducing crossbows to archery season could have ramifications. If too many hunters take up crossbows and shoot too many deer, the commission might have to consider shortening archery season or bag limits, he said.

But that’s what the study is designed to determine, he said.
Rifle hunters everywhere will have two weeks to shoot does this hunting season after all — at least in one manner of speaking.

Game Commissioners agreed to allow hunters with deer management assistance program (DMAP) tags to take antlerless deer this fall in all deer seasons, including the five-day buck-only firearms deer season to be in place in wildlife management units 2G, 2D, 3C and 4A.

Unit 2D takes in all of Armstrong County and parts of Westmoreland, Butler, Venango, Clarion, Jefferson, and Indiana.

Commissioner Tom Boop of Northumberland County — who has been trying for the last several years to reduce the doe harvest statewide — was the lone commissioner to oppose the idea. He said he’s worried the practice will skew the multi-year study of the impact of a buck-only season on deer harvest rates that’s set to begin in those four units this fall.

“I think this just introduces another variable into or study. I just think it’s unwise to extend this into these four units while we’re doing our study,” Boop said.

Cal DuBrock, director of the commission’s bureau of wildlife management, said that isn’t a concern, however. Properties enrolled in the DMAP program typically represent thousands of acres in units that comprise millions of acres overall.

The number of DMAP tags allocated is correspondingly small, too, he said. In 2007-08, for example, landowners handed out 202 DMAP coupons in unit 2D. By comparison, the commission allocated 56,000 doe licenses.

“So they make up a really small fraction of what’s going on,” he said.

The Breaks area is renowned for trophy elk.

Archery hunting there was a leading issue as the Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks Commission took up regulations for hunting an array of wildlife species statewide.

In some of the Breaks hunting districts, archery by Montana residents and nonresidents has been unlimited even though the Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks limits rifle hunting there.

Although the number of elk permits issued this year will be 100% of the previous three years’ average, the availability of permits for nonresidents could decrease, depending on resident demand. In 2009, the total number of permits will be 75% of the previous three years’ average.

So, do you want heart-pounding excitement? Do you want to be shaking in your tree stand? Do you want to feel unlike ever before as the deer of your dreams steps out and gives you the perfect shot? Do you think you can handle it?

Well then, you need to know where to go during Wisconsin’s bowhunting season. The deer you want is walking around right now, his nose cautiously sniffing around the woods, ready to sense the ultimate predator. However, to find him, you have to do your homework.

When it comes to location, there are essentially two kinds of bowhunters: those who are limited to a tract of private land they own or have permission to hunt, and those who hunt public land. In both cases, you may already know where you will hunt this fall. This article will show you how the population numbers look for your area. And while these numbers are the most accurate estimates the Department of Natural Resources has to offer, nothing can substitute for good scouting.

The key to any good hunt is stand placement. You need to know the land you are hunting. You need to identify the structures on the land that funnel deer. You need to know where they bed, where they eat and where they drink. This is not something you should do, but rather something you must do. Chances are the buck you are after has a routine. The rut has not started yet. He is doing the same thing he has been doing every day for the past few months. You need to figure out his patterns, especially where he is hanging out during hunting hours. Often, the big boys won’t move until dusk or dark. If you don’t put your tree stand at a point along his route, you will never see him. You’ll come home night after night discouraged about deer hunting, you’ll be angry with the DNR deer estimates, you’ll blame the weather, you’ll blame the wind — and a whole set of other emotions. Yet, a tree stand in the correct spot can make all the difference in the world.

If you are after a few does and fawns for the freezer, 2007 should be a very good year. Biologists say that for every deer you see in January, there will be three in September. Early in the season, the fawns are still with the does, so when you see one deer, you will likely see more. The trick here is staying still and having good scent control. With all those eyes in the woods, even the slightest movement can bust your hunt.

” Wisconsin deer hunters can look forward to a terrific deer hunting opportunity statewide again this fall,” said DNR wildlife biologist Keith Warnke. “There was a strong deer population after last fall’s hunting season and a very mild winter that has left us with a herd that is quite a bit higher than it should be.”

As a result, 35 deer management units (DMUs) will have Earn-A-Buck (EAB). In order for a DMU to be designated as EAB, it must first have two consecutive years of “herd control.” If the population model indicates that a third year of herd control would not reduce the deer population to within 20 percent of the unit’s overwintering goal, then the DNR could recommend EAB regulations for that unit. EAB has proved over the years to be a very effective management tool. EAB units greatly increase the antlerless kill in those regions.

“Moving the deer herd toward goal is difficult, and it will take several years to get where we need to be, but we are making progress,” Warnke said.

For 2007, there will be 60 Herd-Control Units, 35 EAB units, 22 chronic wasting disease (CWD) units and 16 regular units. There will be unlimited $2 antlerless tags available for Herd-Control Units, plus two free antlerless tags with each deer license.

At the time of this writing, it appeared very likely the October early gun hunt will be in place again in 2008. There will likely be much debate about this going forward.

2006 HARVEST FIGURES
Last year was a record one for archery harvest. The total bowhunting kill was 113,884 deer, including 40,070 with antlers, which was up from 35,842 in 2005. An estimated 72,607 antlerless deer were registered last year, which is way up from 40,840 in 2005. The total number of bowhunting “unknown sex” deer was 1,207. When you add it all up, bowhunters arrowed 4,228 more antlered deer last year, and about 32,000 more antlerless animals. That’s quite a jump in the kill!

Best Counties In 2006
Wisconsin’s top 10 counties last year for early bow season were Waupaca, Marathon, Shawano, Buffalo, Marinette, Clark, Jackson, Oconto, Oneida and Polk. Six of those counties have been in the top 10 list for the past three years — Waupaca, Shawano, Marathon, Marinette, Buffalo and Clark. These are clearly our best counties in terms of deer numbers.

The top 10 early-archery season DMUs last year were 61, 62B, 63A, 59C, 65B, 59B, 58, 53, 63B and 51B. Four of these units — 61, 62B, 63A and 65B — have been in the top 10 for the past three years, while 59C, 58 and 59B were also in the top 10 last year.

State wildlife officials say the statewide preseason white-tailed deer population projection is between 1.6 to 1.8 million animals, which should provide plenty of opportunity for hunters who have scouted hunting spots, renewed permissions from landowners if they hunt on private lands, and have equipment ready.

“Deer hunting opportunity should be great again this season,” said Keith Warnke, deer and bear ecologist with the state Department of Natural Resources. “Hunters put in a great effort last year and archers set a new state harvest record for bow-killed deer. The potential is good again this year as populations are above goals in most deer management units across the state and there are an unlimited number of inexpensive antlerless deer tags available for all herd control and earn-a-buck units.

“But remember, high deer populations don’t make them any easier to kill. Deer will still use the best available habitat and they continue to make every effort to avoid hunters. To be a successful hunter requires scouting and patience.”

With the exception of the statewide youth deer hunt on Oct. 6 and 7, and the CWD units, there is no gun deer hunting in October again this year. This is the second year of a trial moratorium on October gun hunting and archers who do their scouting should be successful in filling earn-a buck requirements.

The return of October gun hunting hinges on meeting a two antlerless deer for every buck ratio in herd control and earn-a-buck units. Hunters met that goal in the central forest area last year but fell short in other areas. “It will take well more than two to one antlerless to antlered ratio this year in herd control units (not including EAB) or October gun hunting will return in 2008.”

Hunters can donate extra venison to the venison donation program so nothing goes to waste, remind officials. Details of the donation program are available on the DNR Web site and at DNR service centers. Due to impending budget cuts there will not be a donation program for deer from the CWD zones.

“Each archery license will come with an antlerless carcass tag good in any herd control or EAB unit in the state,” Warnke says. “And there are unlimited inexpensive antlerless tags for the herd control and EAB units available over-the-counter. For those archery hunters who also gun hunt and plan on gun hunting in an EAB unit, archery season is a great time to prequalify for a buck sticker. That way you can hit the woods opening morning of the gun deer season with a buck sticker in your pocket giving you the option of shooting any deer of your choice right off the bat.”

Archers need to keep in mind that in any area of the state where a firearm deer season is open, including the regular nine-day hunt, muzzleloader season, Oct. 7-8 youth hunt, December four-day antlerless only hunt or CWD hunts, all hunters except water fowl hunters must meet blaze orange clothing requirements. Officials also remind hunters to be careful in the use of tree stands.

The 2007 deer hunting regulations are available on the Department of Natural Resources Web site and at DNR service centers as well as most license vendors.

In preparation for this year’s coastal deer hunting season, early scouters are checking their favorite spots.

There is plenty of grass, but very little water as many creeks are dried up.

That will affect some of the deer concentrations.

Napa County does not have the population it had 30 years ago, but we seem to have stabilized at a low level about one third of what it used to be.

Around humans, deer seem to adjust.

Silverado is a good example. But most of our local deer hunting takes place in the hills of Pope Valley, Berryessa, private ranches in Chiles and Knights Valleys, and the Knoxville Wildlife Area.

So what are the early reports? I’ve now heard from three local hunters who have been hiking and trying to analyze the population.

All three of my friends who spent a few days out last week saw deer and some bucks, though one only saw a small spike for nine hours afield.

All three said the populations were about the same as the last few years.

The one who was hiking in Pope Valley saw a mountain lion and some coyote. The young turkeys are out discovering the world through their mothers.

We will keep you posted.

Last week, County Executive Don Cunningham announced that the county is ready to sign an agreement with the Pennsylvania Game Commission to enroll a 471-acre portion of the preserve known as the North Range in the commission’s Safety Zone access program. The commission will patrol the area, enforce game laws and improve access roads and parking. The North Range is separated from Game Lands 205 by Mill Creek Road.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has added something new this year: crossbow season.

“A crossbow season has been established for private lands,” states Tony Young, media relations coordinator with the FWC, “created for any hunter who’d like to use a crossbow or continue using a bow.”

“The most common game to take during crossbow season will be deer and wild hog,” says Young, who adds that crossbow season does not apply to wildlife management areas, only private land.

Immediately following the five-day crossbow season is muzzleloading gun season, formerly known as primitive weapons. In the Central Zone, which includes Clay County, muzzleloading season is Oct. 28 to Nov. 5.

Many hunters find muzzleloaders a challenging way to hunt deer. According to Young, for deer-hunting muzzleloaders firing single bullets must be at least .40 caliber and you may not use muzzleloaders with self-contained cartridge ammunition capabilities or possess modern firearms during muzzleloading gun season.

The general gun season here in Clay County opens Nov. 11 and closes Jan. 21.

Avid turkey hunters have until Tuesday to apply for a FWC “special opportunity” spring turkey hunt for the sought-after Osceola turkey. In this program, large tracts of land with healthy turkey populations are made available to a limited number of hunters. Hunters apply for specific hunts and are selected by random drawing. You can apply multiple times to increase your chances, although each application submitted will cost $5. Details are available at www.myfwc.com/hunting. The Osceola turkey is a subspecies of turkey found only in Florida, normally in the lower two-thirds of the state. Clay County is on the northern border of the Osceola’s range. Although none of the special-opportunity hunts are in Clay, there is a number of locations in the Lake George area.

What we do have here in Clay County are three significant wildlife management areas: Camp Blanding, Jennings Forest and Bayard. Each area has different regulations, requirements and bag limits, all available on the MyFWC Web site noted above. If you don’t have the opportunity to hunt on private land, these WMAs offer hunters excellent access.

Approximately 250,000 bowhunters, about half of all deer hunters, are expected to participate in the statewide archery deer hunting season that opens Sept. 30, according to wildlife experts with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Wildlife.

A detailed listing of deer hunting rules is contained in the 2006-2007 Ohio Hunting Regulations that is available where licenses are sold, or may be viewed on-line at Ohiodnr.com/wildlife.

WAUSAU, Wis. – Deer hunters took to the woods Saturday for the 2006 archery season. But the state Department of Natural Resources said hunters should try to kill lots of deer or they would have to bring back the October gun deer hunt.

The state DNR estimates there are 1.5 million to 1.7 million whitetail deer in Wisconsin, 12 percent higher than last fall.

The DNR wants hunters to kill antlerless deer in addition to bucks, especially in areas where the whitetail herd is thickest.

Hunters persuaded the DNR to eliminate the October firearm season for this fall, except for a youth hunt Oct. 7 and 8.

“If hunters don’t harvest enough antlerless deer to control growing deer populations, we’ll have no choice but to bring the October gun hunt back (in future years),” said Keith Warnke, deer and bear ecologist with the DNR.

“Everyone needs to keep in mind the need to harvest two antlerless deer for every buck in the herd-control and earn-a-buck units,” he said. “That is what is necessary to get a handle on growing deer populations.”

The archery season runs through Nov. 16, when it closes for the gun-deer season. Bow hunting season resumes Nov. 27 through Jan. 3.

Dan Reilly, 48, said bow hunting tests his skills more than using a rifle.

“It’s more of a challenge for me,” the Wausau resident said while practicing with his compound bow this week at Marathon County’s Duane L. Corbin Shooting Range in the town of Mosinee

By William J. Bohica