Pennsylvania Game Commission

HARRISBURG, PA –-(AmmoLand.com)- Hunters planning to participate in the state’s archery bear season on Nov. 18 and 19 must have a general hunting license and a bear license from the Pennsylvania Game Commission.

The archery bear season will be held in Wildlife Management Units 2C, 2D, 2E, 2F, 2G, 3A, 4A, 4B and 4D.

In WMUs where the archery bear season and fall wild turkey season run concurrently, bowhunters are required to wear a hat containing 100 square inches of solid fluorescent orange when moving. The hat may be removed when the hunter is stationary or on stand.

WMUs affected by this requirement are WMUs 2G, 3A and 4D.

Crossbows are permitted to be used by any hunter participating in the archery, regular or extended bear seasons.

Any bear taken by a bowhunter must be checked by the Game Commission within 24 hours of the time it was killed. Successful bowhunters should call a region office for instructions.

Region office staff will direct the hunter to a location where an employee will meet him or her and check the bear. Traditional check stations will not be open during the archery bear season. Telephone numbers for the six region offices are listed on page 3 of the 2009-10 Pennsylvania Hunting and Trapping Digest.

New Jersey Fish and Game

Trenton, NJ --(AmmoLand.com)- The NJ DEP Division of Fish and Wildlife reminds hunters that New Jersey’s regular Fall Bow deer hunting season opens October 3 (some zones opened September 12).

This year there are some very important changes for Garden State bow hunters. Major changes include the use of crossbows for all archery seasons, and bow and arrow deer hunting is legal on Sundays on Wildlife Management Areas and private properties.

The early season continues until October 2 and during this time the first deer taken MUST be antlerless. The regular Fall Bow season begins statewide on October 3 and runs through October 30. The statewide permit bow season begins on October 31.

Crossbows can be used in any hunting season and for all species where the use of a compound, recurve or longbow is allowed. No special permits are required. Crossbows must however, have minimum draw weights of 75 pounds.

Sunday bow and arrow hunting is allowed on Wildlife Management Areas and on private property ONLY. There are no exceptions to this rule. It is extremely important all hunters know the boundary lines of the property (s) they are hunting. A list of lands open or closed to Sunday bow hunting can be found at: www.njfishandwildlife.com/news/2009/sundayhunt.htm.

More information about the fall season, including additional information on crossbow use, Sunday hunting and hunter education can be found at http://www.njfishandwildlife.com/news/2009/fallbow09.htm on the division’s website.

Extensive information regarding deer hunting in New Jersey can be found in the August 2009 Hunting and Trapping Issue of the New Jersey Fish and Wildlife Digest, and at www.njfishandwildlife.com/deer.htm. All hunters should be completely familiar with the rules and regulations pertaining to the areas they wish to hunt.

Pennsylvania Game Commission

HARRISBURG, PA –-(AmmoLand.com)- With Pennsylvania’s fall archery deer seasons set to open, Pennsylvania Game Commission Executive Director Carl G. Roe reminded those participating in the season that they may choose to use a crossbow during all archery deer seasons, as well as the archery bear season.

“As it stands for the 2009-10 seasons, information contained in the 2009-10 Digest regarding the legal use crossbows is correct,” said Carl G. Roe, Game Commission executive director. “Crossbows may be used by hunters participating in the archery deer seasons, Oct. 3-Nov. 14, and Dec. 26-Jan. 9, and the archery bear season, Nov. 18-19.

“Additionally, crossbows continue to be legal for all deer seasons in Wildlife Management Units 2B, 5C and 5D, as well as the fall and spring turkey seasons and the two-week firearms deer seasons.”

Crossbows must have a minimum drawn weight of at least 125 pounds, and a bolt must be equipped with a broadhead that has an outside diameter or width of at least 7/8 inches with at least two cutting edges on the same plane throughout the length of the cutting surface, and shall not exceed three inches in length.

Hunters participating in the October muzzleloader antlerless deer season or late flintlock muzzleloader season are not permitted to use the crossbow in place of their muzzleloader, but hunters participating in the overlapping archery deer seasons may use a crossbow.

Roe noted that a sunset date for this expanded crossbow use requires a future Board of Game Commissioners to vote on the regulation before June 30, 2012.

“There are some who believe that the full inclusion of crossbows in archery seasons may cause an increase in deer harvests, while others – including our biologists – believe that we can regulate harvests through the antlerless license allocation process,” Roe said. “Regardless of which camp a person is in, all will know that the Game Commission staff and Board of Game Commissioners will revisit this new opportunity each year when considering seasons and bag limits and deer harvest estimates.

“And, the sunset requirement will mandate whoever is on the Board in 2012 to take another vote on the issue with at least three year’s worth of data on which to base the decision.”

Roe noted that the start of our archery deer seasons also represents the beginning of relief for some landowners who are sustaining crop and property damage from deer. This is especially true for people who live in Pennsylvania’s developed areas around Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, where deer populations remain exceedingly high.

Bowhunters who have purchased and received antlerless deer licenses to hunt in Wildlife Management Units 2B, 5C and 5D will once again get an early start on the rest of the state. They may begin hunting for antlerless deer only in these WMUs beginning Sept. 19, through Oct 2. There also are two late fall archery antlerless deer seasons in WMUs 2B, 5C and 5D that run from Nov. 16-28, and Dec. 14-23.

Statewide, including WMUs 2B, 5C and 5D, archers can hunt antlered or antlerless deer from Oct. 3 to Nov. 14, and the late statewide archery deer season runs from Dec. 26 to Jan. 9.

The Game Commission encourages hunters to spend as much time as possible afield this fall prior to and during the hunting seasons to pattern deer movements and identify areas where fall foods are abundant. Hunt as often as you can, and scout every time you head afield. Try to figure out which food sources deer are using. And pay attention to prevailing wind direction. These adjustments really can make a difference.

“Those participating in the archery seasons, including crossbow hunters, are urged to take only responsible shots at deer to ensure a quick, clean kill,” Roe said. “For most, that’s a shot of 20 yards or less at a deer broadside or quartering away. Archery and crossbow hunters should shoot at only deer that are within their maximum effective shooting range – the furthest distance from which a hunter can consistently place arrows or bolts into a pie pan-sized target.”

Hunters may use illuminated nocks for arrows and bolts, which can be affixed at the aft end of an arrow or bolt and aid in tracking or locating the arrow or bolt after being launched. However, transmitter-tracking arrows still are illegal.

Tree-stands and climbing devices that cause damage to trees are unlawful to use or occupy unless the user has written permission from the landowner. Tree-stands – or tree steps – penetrating a tree’s cambium layer cause damage. It is unlawful to construct or occupy constructed tree-stands on State Game Lands, state forests or state parks.

Other safety tips bowhunters should consider before heading afield and while hunting include:

• - Make sure someone knows where you’re hunting and when you expect to return home. Leave a note or topographic map with your family or a friend. Pack a cellular telephone for emergencies.
• - Always use a fall-restraint device – preferably a full-body harness – when hunting from a tree-stand. Wear the device from the moment you leave the ground until you return. Don’t climb dead, wet or icy trees. Stay on the ground on blustery days.
• - Get in good physical condition before the season starts. Fatigue can impact judgment, coordination and reaction time, as well as accuracy. Staying physically fit makes a difference.
• - Always carry a whistle to signal passersby in the event you become immobile. A compass and matches or lighter and tinder also are essential survival gear items to have along. An extra flashlight bulb also can be helpful.
• - Use a hoist rope to lift your bow and backpack to your tree-stand. Trying to climb with either will place you at unnecessary risk.
• - Don’t sleep in a tree-stand! If you can’t stay awake, return to the ground.
• - Always carry broadhead-tipped arrows in a protective quiver.
• - If you use a mechanical release, always keep your index finger away from the trigger when drawing.
• - Follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for all equipment and check your equipment before each use.
• - Practice climbing with your tree-stand before dawn on the opening day of the season. Consider placing non-slip material on the deck of your tree-stand if it’s not already there.

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.