Georgia Department of Natural Resources

SOCIAL CIRCLE, Ga. --(Ammoland.com)- Deer season is the most popular time of the year for Georgia hunters, and this year archers get first draw beginning Sat., Sept. 11. Last year, 107,792 archery hunters harvested more than 54,000 deer.

Statewide archery season runs through Oct. 8, but special regulations apply to archery-only counties and extended archery season areas. Hunters should refer to the 2010-2011 Georgia Hunting Seasons and Regulations guide available at www.gohuntgeorgia.com, at retail license agents or any Department of Natural Resources’ Wildlife Resources Division office.

Georgia is considered a top destination in the country for non-resident hunters and continues to draw tens of thousands of hunters from across the country each year. The state’s quality deer herd and the close to one million available acres of public hunting land serve as the main appeal.

Georgia offers more than 90 state-operated wildlife management areas. Many of these public lands offer specialty hunts, including primitive weapons hunts, adult/child hunts and ladies-only hunts. Dates and locations for these hunts are available in the 2010-2011 Georgia Hunting Seasons and Regulations guide, and WMA maps are available at www.gohuntgeorgia.com .

Hunters are allowed a season bag limit of ten antlerless deer and two antlered deer (one of the two antlered deer must have a minimum of four points, one inch or longer, on one side of the antlers). To pursue deer in Georgia, hunters must have a valid hunting license, big game license and a current deer harvest record.

If hunting on a WMA, a WMA license also is required. For more information on deer hunting seasons and regulations, visit www.gohuntgeorgia.com .

You'll know by July 14 whether you drew a permit to hunt doe deer in Utah this fall. Photo by Ron Stewart

Utah Division of Natural Resources

Utah --(AmmoLand.com)- If you’re one of the more than 27,000 hunters who applied for an antlerless big game hunting permit for this fall, watch your e-mail closely on July 14, 2010.

You’ll know by July 14 whether you drew a permit to hunt doe deer in Utah this fall.

If you supplied the Division of Wildlife Resources with an e-mail address, you’ll receive an e-mail letting you know if you drew a permit.

If you didn’t supply an e-mail address, you can learn the results by calling 1-800-221-0659 or visiting wildlife.utah.gov.

This will be the first time the Division hasn’t mailed letters to applicants.

Judi Tutorow, wildlife licensing coordinator for the Division, says most of the 27,000 applicants supplied the agency with an e-mail address.

“If you don’t have access to the Internet, you can still get your results fast by calling the 1-800 number starting July 14,” she says. “The phone line is staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week.”

For more information, call the Utah Hunt Application office at 1-800-221-0659. You can also call the nearest Division office or the Division’s Salt Lake City office at 801-538-4700.

Maryland Department of Natural Resources

Annapolis, MD --(AmmoLand.com)- Maryland deer hunters harvested over 100,000 deer for the second time since modern deer management began in the early 1900s.

Surpassing this numerical milestone is consistent with the Department’s goals to reduce or stabilize deer numbers in most of the state. The record 100,663 deer taken during the 2009-2010 deer season barely surpassed the previous record of 100,437 deer set last year.

Hunters reported 33,761 antlered deer (1,115 sika deer) for the 2009-2010 season, a three percent decrease from last year. In contrast, the antlerless harvest increased two percent to 66,902 deer (1,267 sika deer) this year.

“Our survey information confirms that deer hunters have spent more time in the woods over the past two seasons, a trend we attribute in part to the slow economy,” said DNR Deer Project Leader Brian Eyler. “The increased effort has resulted in more healthy and sustainable venison being put in the freezer and is consistent with our efforts to manage the deer population.”

In Deer Management Region A (Garrett and Allegany counties), hunters reported 9,430 deer this year, a five percent decrease from the 2008-2009 total. The antlered harvest decreased eight percent to 4,964 deer this year, while the antlerless harvest of 4,466 deer was down one percent. Region A hunters continue to harvest good numbers of antlerless deer due to the additional day of antlerless firearm hunting on private lands that was added in 2008. The extra day was provided at the request of landowners in the region who wanted more opportunities to effectively manage deer numbers on their land.

The reported deer harvest in the remainder of the state (Region B) was relatively consistent for most counties. Hunters in Region B reported taking 91,233 deer for the year. The antlered harvest of 28,797 deer was two percent lower than last year, while the antlerless harvest increased two percent to 62,436 deer. Washington County once again led the harvest totals with 8,587 deer, followed by Frederick County with 8,447 and Baltimore County with 6,752 deer.

The deer harvest in Maryland’s suburban counties (Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Howard, Montgomery, and Prince George’s counties) continues to be strong. Hunters in these counties reported 21,231 deer for 2009-2010; up one percent over last year. DNR has liberalized antlerless harvest regulations in these counties in an effort to address the impacts that high deer populations have on Maryland’s suburban landscape and residents.

“Controlling the deer population in the suburban areas of the state is a challenging task. Fortunately, Maryland’s hunters have taken advantage of the liberalized antlerless deer hunting opportunities in these areas,” said Wildlife and Heritage Service Director Paul Peditto. “Without their efforts, deer management in the suburban areas would be much more difficult.”

Deer harvest results by county are available here.

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR), which celebrated its 40th anniversary in 2009, is the state agency responsible for providing natural and living resource-related services to citizens and visitors. DNR manages more than 467,000 acres of public lands and 17,000 miles of waterways, along with Maryland’s forests, fisheries, and wildlife for maximum environmental, economic and quality of life benefits. A national leader in land conservation, DNR-managed parks and natural, historic, and cultural resources attract 12 million visitors annually. DNR is the lead agency in Maryland’s effort to restore the Chesapeake Bay, the state’s number one environmental priority. Learn more at www.dnr.maryland.gov

Ohio Department Natural Resources

COLUMBUS, OH –-(AmmoLand.com)- Hunters in seven northwest Ohio counties will be given a higher deer bag limit if the proposed regulation is accepted by the Ohio Wildlife Council in April, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR), Division of Wildlife.

A proposed change to the deer zones includes moving seven northwest Ohio counties from Deer Zone A to Zone B. The counties are Defiance, Fulton, Henry, Lucas, Paulding, Van Wert and Williams.

A proposal to eliminate the requirement that hunters must purchase a regular deer permit before purchasing antlerless deer permits was heard. The sale of reduced priced antlerless permits would cease after November 28, so hunters need to commit early to buying and using the extra reduced-cost permits to take full advantage of this opportunity.

Under the proposal, hunters could again buy antlerless deer permits at reduced prices for hunting in an urban zone, participating in a Division of Wildlife-authorized controlled hunt or hunting during the September 25 to November 28 portion of the deer season. The division is again proposing the deadline for using the antlerless permit be extended to December 5 for those hunting in Deer Zone C. Cost of the antlerless deer permit remains $15.

The maximum number of deer that a hunter may take in Deer Zone A is two. Prior to November 29, hunters may take up to two deer in Zone A, one of which may be on a $15 antlerless deer permit. Beginning November 29, hunters may take only one deer in Zone A and antlerless permits may not be used.

The maximum number of deer that a hunter may take in Deer Zone B is four. Prior to November 29, hunters may take up to four deer in Zone B, two of which may be on $15 antlerless deer permits. Beginning November 29, hunters may take only two deer in Zone B and antlerless permits may not be used.

The maximum number of deer that a hunter may take in Deer Zone C is six. Prior to December 6, hunters may take up to six deer in Zone C, three of which may be on $15 antlerless deer permits. Beginning December 6, hunters may take only three deer in Zone C and antlerless permits may not be used.

Those hunting in urban zones and at Division of Wildlife-authorized controlled hunts would again have a six-deer bag limit, and those deer would not count against the hunter’s zone bag limit.

Either a $15 antlerless deer permit or $24 deer permit and a valid hunting license are required to hunt deer in Ohio. A hunter may take only one buck in Ohio, regardless of zone, hunting method or season.

Seasons and Dates

• Archery season – September 25 through February 6, 2011
• Special area muzzleloader hunts – October 18-23
• Youth deer-gun season – November 20-21
• Statewide deer-gun season – November 29 through December 5 and December 18-19
• Statewide muzzleloader season – January 8-11, 2011

A proposed change during the December 18-19 portion of the deer-gun season would allow other legal game species in season to be pursued by hunters meeting specified requirements, such as the hunter orange requirement for deer-gun season.

During the 2009-2010 season, which concludes February 7, hunters are expected to bag a record total of about 260,000 deer. Approximately 475,000 people hunted white-tailed deer in Ohio this year.

Open houses will be held on Saturday, March 6 in each of the state’s five wildlife districts to provide the public an opportunity to view and discuss proposed hunting and trapping regulations with state wildlife officials. For directions to the open houses, please call 1-800-WILDLIFE or visit wildohio.com on the Internet.

A statewide hearing on all the proposed rules will be held at 9 a.m., Thursday, March 4 at the Division of Wildlife’s District One Office, located at 1500 Dublin Road in Columbus. After considering public input, the Ohio Wildlife Council will vote on the proposed rules and season dates during its April 7 meeting.

Proposed Deer Hunting Zones
(FOR THE 2010-11 SEASON: Those counties proposed to move from Deer Zone A to Zone B are bolded)

• Zone A — The zone includes 13 counties: Allen, Auglaize, Darke, Erie, Mercer, Miami, Montgomery, Ottawa, Preble, Putnam, Sandusky, Shelby and Wood.
• Zone B — The zone includes 37 counties: Ashland, Ashtabula, Butler, Champaign, Clark, Clinton, Crawford, Cuyahoga, Defiance, Fayette, Fulton, Geauga, Greene, Hancock, Hardin, Henry, Huron, Lake, Logan, Lorain, Lucas, Madison, Mahoning, Marion, Medina, Paulding, Portage, Seneca, Stark, Summit, Trumbull, Union, Van Wert, Warren, Wayne, Williams and Wyandot.
• Zone C — The zone includes 38 counties: Adams, Athens, Belmont, Brown, Carroll, Clermont, Columbiana, Coshocton, Delaware, Fairfield, Franklin, Gallia, Guernsey, Hamilton, Harrison, Highland, Hocking, Holmes, Jackson, Jefferson, Knox, Lawrence, Licking, Meigs, Monroe, Morgan, Morrow, Muskingum, Noble, Perry, Pickaway, Pike, Richland, Ross, Scioto, Tuscarawas, Vinton and Washington.

The Ohio Department of Natural Resources ensures a balance between wise use and protection of our natural resources for the benefit of all. Visit the ODNR web site at ohiodnr.com

Wisconsin DNR

MADISON, WI –-(AmmoLand.com)- The close of the nine-day gun deer hunt also signals the opening of the 10-day, muzzleloader deer hunt that runs from Nov. 30 through Dec. 9. The muzzleloader hunt is statewide with the exception of most state parks. There is also an ongoing deer hunting season through Dec. 9 in designated metropolitan, or metro, units due to higher deer populations near some urban areas. Check the current deer hunting regulations for details.

Following the muzzleloader hunt is a four-day antlerless deer hunt running Dec. 10 through 13 statewide except in state parks and in Menominee County.

“The later seasons generally are more relaxed and less crowded,” said Keith Warnke, big game ecologist for the Department of Natural Resources. “It’s a quieter time in the woods that many hunters find enjoyable and it extends the hunting season.”

The late archery deer season also started on Nov. 30 and runs through Jan. 3, 2010. Archers and small game hunters are reminded that they must observe blaze orange clothing requirements during the muzzleloader and December antlerless deer hunt seasons.

License sales officials say there are unit-specific antlerless deer tags are still available for some regular units for $12 each. Antlerless deer tags for herd control units and earn-a-buck units are available for $3 each.

Visit the deer hunting pages of the DNR Web site for details on license requirements, permit availability, bag limits and harvest rules. For additional questions call the toll free 1-888-WDNR-INFo (888-936-7463) line for answers. The line is staffed 7a.m. to 10 p.m. 7-days per week

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Keith Warnke – (608) 264-6035

Georgia Department of Natural Resources

SOCIAL CIRCLE, Ga. --(AmmoLand.com)- The week-long primitive weapons deer hunting season begins Saturday, Oct. 10. During primitive weapons season, hunters may use archery equipment (including crossbows), muzzleloading shotguns (20 gauge or larger) and muzzleloading firearms (.44 caliber or larger).

“Our primitive weapons deer season provides hunters the opportunity to hunt with traditional or inline black powder firearms or to continue hunting with archery gear,” said John Bowers, assistant chief of Game Management for the Wildlife Resources Division.

“Hunters are allowed to hunt either-sex deer during this week-long opportunity. Primitive weapons hunters have a wide variety of options depending on their personal choices and needs without being burdened by complex regulations.”

More than one million acres of public hunting land is available to hunters in Georgia, including more than 100 state-operated wildlife management areas where special hunts are offered throughout the season, including primitive weapons hunts. Dates and locations for these hunts are available in the 2009-2010 Georgia Hunting Seasons and Regulations guide, and WMA maps are available at www.gohuntgeorgia.com .

During the 2008 primitive weapons season, 58,264 hunters harvested 16,897 deer – a harvest rate that has remained relatively stable in recent years.

Hunters are allowed a season total of ten antlerless deer and two antlered deer (one of the two antlered deer must have a minimum of four points, one inch or longer, on one side of the antlers).

Under the new hunting and fishing license sales system, the primitive weapons license is no longer required to hunt during archery and primitive weapons seasons. However, a valid hunting and big game license is required, as is a deer harvest record. In most cases, a separate WMA license is required to hunt on a WMA.

All hunters, including archers, must wear at least 500 square inches of daylight fluorescent orange above the waist during primitive weapons season. Scopes and other optical sighting devices are considered legal for muzzleloading firearms and archery equipment.

Georgia is considered the top destination in the country for non-resident hunters and continues to draw tens of thousands of deer hunters from across the country each year. The state’s quality deer herd and the more than one million available acres of public hunting land serve as the main appeal.

For more information on deer hunting seasons and regulations, visit www.gohuntgeorgia.com .

Whitetails Unlimited

Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin--(AmmoLand.com Firearms News)-Whitetails Unlimited Trail Camera Contest is back, and entries are already coming in.

“We had an overwhelming response to our trail camera contest last year,” said Whitetails Unlimited Magazine editor Jeff Davis.

“There were some amazing photos, not all of which included deer. Trial cameras provide a window into the natural world and a view that most people never see, and everyone I know loves to look at these images. This is our chance to collect and share some of the best photos out there.”

Photos must be entered via the Whitetails Unlimited website (www.whitetailsunlimited.com), and must have been produced during 2009.

There are three categories: Best Buck, Best Antlerless Deer, and Best Non-Deer Photo.

There will be first, second, and third place winners in each category. An individual may enter a total of three images in the contest, and entries can be submitted until 6:00 a.m. on Monday, December 28, 2009.

Judging will take place during the first week of January. Winners will be posted on the WTU website, and also published in Whitetails Unlimited Magazine.

Complete contest details are available at www.whitetailsunlimited.com.

About:
Founded in 1982, Whitetails Unlimited is a national nonprofit conservation organization. Our mission is to raise funds in support of education, habitat enhancement and acquisition, and the preservation of the hunting tradition for the benefit of the white-tailed deer and other wildlife. When it comes to the whitetail and its environment, WTU’s degree of professionalism and dedication has earned us the reputation of being the nation’s premier whitetail organization.

West Virginia DNR

West Virginia --(AmmoLand.com)- Deer hunting comes early to the West Virginia hills this fall.

“The special antlerless deer seasons for archery and muzzleloader hunters will open on private land in certain counties in September,” said West Virginia Division of Natural Resources Director.

Frank Jezioro, who wants hunters to be well armed with the facts before entering the woods.

• The early archery season opens September 14 and closes September 19. Hunters wishing to participate in this season must buy a Class RB or Class RRB stamp before going afield. The stamp allows a hunter to take one antlerless deer during this archery season.
• The early muzzleloader season opens September 21 and closes September 26. Hunters must buy a Class RM or RRM stamp before hunting. This stamp allows a hunter to take one antlerless deer during this muzzleloader season.
• If a hunter does not fill a tag during either season, the appropriate stamp can be used during the regular archery or muzzleloader season.
• Landowners hunting on their own land or holders of the new DT license do not have to buy a stamp.

Prepare for Early Warm Weather Deer Hunting

“With these early seasons, you need to know before you hunt how you’ll take care of it in the field and how you’ll get your deer processed,” said Jezioro. “If you don’t plan to process the deer yourself, make sure beforehand that your deer processor will be open to process the deer.” If your regular processor is not open, Jezioro suggests processing the deer yourself. This is a relatively simple process and numerous guides exist explaining how to do it.

“Cooling the deer meat will be a prime concern,” say Jezioro. He encourages hunters to keep a bag of ice in a cooler at camp or in the car. “After you have field dressed the deer, throw the bag of ice into the chest cavity. Get the hide off the deer as soon as you can. This will let the meat cool quicker.”

Hunters planning on participating in the early seasons need to remember to check their equipment earlier than normal to increase their chances for a safe and successful hunt.

“The opening dates are fast approaching and these seasons will provide an excellent opportunity to hunt deer earlier in the year when weather conditions are generally milder. A little preplanning can greatly enhance your outdoor experience,” Jezioro said.

West Virginia DNR

West Virginia - -(AmmoLand.com)- Archery and muzzleloader deer hunters in West Virginia will be able to enjoy additional antlerless deer hunting opportunities this fall, according to Frank Jezioro, Director of the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources.

The Natural Resources Commission recently approved a special antlerless deer archery season and a special antlerless deer muzzleloader season that will take place on private lands only in selected counties where the harvest of additional antlerless deer is necessary for management purposes. Hunters should be aware of the following details associated with these special antlerless deer seasons.

The special antlerless deer archery season will open on September 14, 2009, and close on September 19, 2009, and allow for the taking of one additional deer that must be checked on a Class RB or Class RRB Stamp.

The special antlerless deer muzzleloader season will open on September 21, 2009, and close on September 26, 2009, and allow for the taking of one additional deer that must be checked on a Class RM or Class RRM Stamp.

Both the special antlerless deer archery season and the special antlerless deer muzzleloader season will take place on private lands only in the following counties or portions thereof: Barbour, Berkeley, Brooke, Cabell, Calhoun, Doddridge, Gilmer, Grant, Greenbrier (S of Rt. 60, S of I-64, S&E of Rt. 9, E of Rt. 219 at Renick, S of Rt. 11, W of Greenbrier R., S of I-64, W of Rt. 60/14), Hampshire, Hancock, Hardy, Harrison, Jackson, Jefferson, Kanawha (N or Elk R. & W of Corridor G), Lewis, Marion, Marshall, Mason, Mercer (E of I-77), Mineral, Monongalia, Monroe, Morgan, Ohio, Pendleton, Pleasants, Preston, Putnam, Ritchie, Taylor, Tyler, Wetzel, Wirt and Wood.

“These special antlerless deer seasons will afford archery and muzzleloader hunters an excellent opportunity to hunt deer earlier in the year and during a time when weather conditions are generally milder,” Jezioro said. “These seasons have the added advantage of allowing hunters and landowners to harvest additional antlerless deer from private lands where needed for management purposes.”