Pennsylvania Game Commission

HARRISBURG, PA --(Ammoland.com)- The Board of Game Commissioners gave preliminary approval to a slate of deer seasons for 2012-13 that retains the split, five-day antlered deer season (Nov. 26-30) and seven-day concurrent season (Dec. 1-8) in 11 Wildlife Management Units.

The list includes (WMUs) 2A, 2C, 2D, 2E, 2F, 2G, 3B, 3C, 4B, 4D and 4E. The package also retains the two-week (Nov. 26-Dec. concurrent, antlered and antlerless deer season in WMUs 1A, 1B, 2B, 3A, 3D, 4A, 4C, 5A, 5B, 5C and 5D.

Hunters with DMAP antlerless deer permits may use them on the lands for which they were issued during any established deer season, and will continue to be permitted to harvest antlerless deer from Nov. 26-Dec. 8 in WMUs 2A, 2C, 2D, 2E, 2F, 2G, 3B, 3C, 4B, 4D and 4E. Fees for DMAP permits are $10 for residents and $35 for nonresidents.

Additionally, the Board also gave preliminary approval to retain the use of crossbows in the archery deer seasons.

The Board took this action by removing the sunset date inserted in the regulations when crossbows were first permitted to be used in the archery deer seasons.

The Board retained the antler restrictions enacted for the 2011-12 seasons, which includes the “three-up” on one side, no counting a brow tine, provision for the western Wildlife Management Units of 1A, 1B, 2A, 2B and 2D, and the three points on one side in all other WMUs

Michigan Department of Natural Resources

Michigan --(Ammoland.com)- The 2011 firearm deer season opened Tuesday, Nov. 15, and impressions regarding deer observations, hunting activity, and check station operations from the first few days of the season have been compiled by the Department of Natural Resources.

Overall, hunting activity started slow but appeared to increase later in the week and over the weekend. Deer condition throughout the state has been reported as good to excellent. The following are the early impressions summarized on a regional basis:

Upper Peninsula – Conditions have been fair for hunting, though opening day temperatures were above freezing, moderate to strong winds and winter storm conditions moved through portions of the region on Nov. 16. Hunter numbers across the region appear the same or lower than during the early days of the 2010 firearm season. Most hunters are reporting seeing more deer than last year, and that deer are in good condition. The excellent condition of deer at check stations supports hunter observations. Initially slow activity at check stations picked up near the end of last week to now include similar or increased numbers of deer checked compared to last year.

Northern Lower Peninsula – Opening morning was cool, but temperatures warmed by late morning with a mix of clouds and sun. Nov. 16 saw a mix of flurries and accumulating snow in locations with high and gusty winds moving into some areas. Hunting activity last week was reported as fairly light compared to previous years. The northeast portion of the region noted an increase in number of deer checked, but the western and southern portions have noted similar to fewer deer brought in compared to last year. Early reports on weekend check station activity suggest check station and harvest numbers may now have caught up to or exceeded numbers from last year. Deer condition has been described as very good with several exceptional bucks observed at a number of check stations around the region.

Southern Michigan – Hunting conditions were fair in southern Michigan. Dense fog throughout much of the region on opening morning affected hunters’ abilities to see deer. With temperatures climbing into the upper 50s by late morning to early afternoon, both deer and hunter activity was slowed. Cooler temperatures prevailed the next few days accompanied by wind and scattered snow flurries. About 71 percent of corn was picked by opening day, which matches the five-year average but was less than last year, when 97 percent was picked. Hunting activity varied somewhat around the region, but appeared the same or lower than last year; shots heard were consistently lower than last year throughout the region over the first few days of the season. Fewer deer have been checked compared to last year, but deer are in good condition. Some check stations noted an increase in 3 ½ and even 4 ½ year-old bucks compared to recent years.

Each year, DNR Wildlife Division staff working at check stations around the state submit their impressions and a summary of comments provided by hunters from the first few days of the firearm season. These impressions provide an early view of how the firearm season is faring. Deer populations in both northern regions have come through two relatively mild winters in a row, on the heels of two relatively severe winters of 2007 and 2008. Deer numbers appear to be recovering, but more notable is the good to excellent condition being observed by hunters and confirmed by data collected at check stations. License sales through opening day were about 2.5 percent lower than in 2010, which supports the observations of generally lighter hunting pressure in most areas of the state.

Firearm deer season continues through Nov. 30 with archery season resuming Dec. 1. For more information about deer hunting opportunities in Michigan, go online to www.michigan.gov/deer. Updated field observations and check station summaries will be posted on the collaborative DNR Wildlife Division and Michigan State University Department of Fisheries and Wildlife website at www.deer.fw.msu.edu.

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is committed to the conservation, protection, management, use and enjoyment of the state’s natural and cultural resources for current and future generations. For more information, go to www.michigan.gov/dnr.

Ohio Department Natural Resources Extends Hotline Hours During Deer-Gun Hunting Season

Ohio Department Natural Resources

COLUMBUS, OH --(Ammoland.com)- Individuals seeking information about the upcoming youth gun and white-tailed deer hunting seasons, or to report violations of state wildlife laws, can take advantage of extended call center hours from November 19 to December 4, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR), Division of Wildlife.

The 1-800-WILDLIFE (945-3543) general hunting information hotline will be open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.on Saturday, November 19 and Sunday, November 20, for the ninth annual youth deer-gun season.

Staff will also be available to answer calls prior to and during the regular deer-gun season, which begins Monday, November 28, and ends Sunday, December 4.

Special call center hours prior to and during the state’s popular deer-gun season are as follows:

• 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Friday, November 25
• 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, November 26-27
• 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday, November 28-December 2
• 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, December 3-4
• 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, December 17-18
• The hotline will be closed on Thanksgiving Day

The extremely popular deer gun season is a period when many of Ohio’s hunters have last-minute questions and the Division of Wildlife will be ready and available to assist them. Hunters are encouraged to contact the division with any question that may arise.

Ohioans also are encouraged to help enforce state wildlife laws by reporting violations to the division’s Turn-in-a-Poacher (TIP) hotline at 1-800-POACHER (762-2437). Established in 1982, the TIP program allows individuals to anonymously call toll free from anywhere in the state to report wildlife violations. The 1-800-POACHER hotline is open for calls 365 days a year, 24 hours a day.

Tipsters may be eligible to receive a cash award and are urged to leave a message during closed hours with as much information about the suspected violation as can be provided. Tips can also be submitted online at wildohio.com.

The ODNR ensures a balance between wise use and protection of our natural resources for the benefit of all. Visit the ODNR Web site at www.ohiodnr.com.

Pennsylvania Game Commission

Pennsylvania --(Ammoland.com)- ANTLER RESTRICTIONS CHANGE IN FOUR-POINT AREA: Pennsylvania Game Commission Executive Director Carl G. Roe reminds deer hunters that the Board of Game Commissioners approved a change in antler restriction definitions in the previous four-point area in the western Wildlife Management Units of 1A, 1B, 2A, 2B and 2D.

Under the new antler restrictions, which represent the first change since 2002, hunters in these five WMUs need to identify three antler points, not including the brow tine, which is the point immediately above the antler burr. This regulatory change requires three points on the main antler beam, excluding the brow tine, for a buck to be legal.

The idea of changing antler restrictions in the four-point area began a year ago when Game Commissioners Ralph Martone and Robert Schlemmer heard from many sportsmen about the difficulty of seeing brow tines.

A review of antler data collected prior to antler restrictions from the southeastern part of the state indicated this change may affect only a small percentage of antlered deer. For more information on antler restrictions, hunters should refer to page 53 of the 2011-12 Digest that they received with the purchase of their license.

HARVEST REPORTING AVAILABLE VIA POSTCARD, ONLINE OR TELEPHONE
Those participating in the upcoming deer season will be able to file their mandatory harvest reports through the Pennsylvania Game Commission’s online system; the toll-free Interactive Voice Response (IVR) telephone harvest reporting system, which is 1-855-PAHUNT1 (1-855-724-8681); or via postage-paid postcard.

To report a deer harvest online, go to the Game Commission’s website (www.pgc.state.pa.us), click on “Report Your Harvest” above the “Quick Clicks” box in the right-hand column, click on “You can link to PALS by clicking here,” check “Harvest Reporting,” scroll down and click on the “Start Here” button at the bottom of the page, choose the method of validating license information, and click on the checkbox for the harvest tag being reported. A series of options will appear for a hunter to report a harvest. After filling in the harvest information, click on the “Continue” button to review the report and then hit the “Submit” button to complete the report. Failing to hit the “Submit” button will result in a harvest report not being completed.

Hunters should have their Customer Identification Number (hunting license number) and field harvest tag information with them when they call, and should speak clearly and distinctly when reporting harvests, especially when providing the Wildlife Management Unit number and letter.

“Hunters may report one or more harvests in a single session,” Roe said. “Responses to all harvest questions are required.

“Hunters who use the toll-free number to submit a harvest report will receive a confirmation number, which they should write down and keep as proof of reporting. Those who report online should print or save a copy of their harvest report submission as proof of reporting.”

Roe noted that hunters still have the option to file harvest report postcards, which are included as tear-out sheets in the current digest.

“We certainly are encouraging hunters to use the online reporting system, which will ensure that their harvest is recorded,” Roe said. “The more important point is that all hunters do their part in deer management and report their harvested deer to the agency.”

HUNTERS REMINDED THAT LICENSES STILL MUST BE DISPLAYED
Hunters and trappers are reminded that they still are required to display their licenses on an outer garment, said Pennsylvania Game Commission Executive Director Carl G. Roe.

“The Game Commission is supporting legislation to remove the statutory requirement that licenses be displayed, and thereby allow hunters to place their hunting license in their wallet with other ID,” Roe said. “However, until such time as the General Assembly removes this statutory requirement, hunters and trappers will need to continue to display their licenses.”

HUNTERS CAN CHECK ON TRAFFIC AND ROAD CONDITIONS IN ADVANCE
Hunters can check traffic and road conditions on more than 2,900 miles of roadways by simply calling 511 or logging onto the Department of Transportation’s website (www.511pa.com) before heading out to deer camp this year.

“‘511PA’ is Pennsylvania’s official travel information service,” said Carl G. Roe, Game Commission executive director. “This service from PennDOT provides travelers with reliable, current traffic and weather information. This site enables hunters to check on the status of road conditions before heading out to camp.”

Pennsylvania Game Commission

HARRISBURG, PA --(Ammoland.com)- Pennsylvania’s only unofficial holiday - the Monday after Thanksgiving – marks the opening day of the two-week general deer season, and will feature nearly 750,000 individuals sporting fluorescent orange throughout Penn’s Woods, according to Pennsylvania Game Commission Executive Director Carl G. Roe.

New antler restrictions are in place this year for the five Wildlife Management Units (WMUs) in western Pennsylvania previously designated as a four-point on one side area. Under the new antler restrictions, which represent the first change since 2002, hunters in WMUs 1A, 1B, 2A, 2B and 2D need to identify three antler points, not including the brow tine, which is the point immediately above the antler burr.

Also, WMUs 2A, 2F and 3B have been added to the split-season structure, in which the first five days are open for antlered deer only and the remaining seven days are open for antlered and antlerless deer.

“Pennsylvania’s deer season has a dramatic and beneficial effect on the Commonwealth, as it provides hunters a chance to put venison in the freezer,” Roe said. “In addition to being a rich part of our state’s heritage, deer season is critical in managing Pennsylvania’s whitetails. The efforts of hunters are far-reaching; they help to keep deer populations in check, and enable the agency to meet deer management goals that benefit those who reside, visit or travel through this state.”

Roe noted that hunters will need to make sure that they have done their pre-season scouting, as fall food conditions, development, posted property and other factors will impact deer movements.

“Deer will respond to food availability and hunter pressure, both of which can vary from year to year, and from one area to another,” Roe said. “Pre-season scouting can improve a hunter’s chance for success this year, particularly in the week leading up to the start of season.

“Dramatic changes on the landscape will be just as important – if not more important – as looking for the highly nutritious acorns and other natural foods sought by game animals.”

Specifically, Roe cited Marcellus Shale-related drilling and recent Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee damages as examples of larger impacts on the landscape that may alter what hunters and trappers find in the forests and fields of Pennsylvania.

“The ‘Big Woods’ area of northcentral Pennsylvania, home to many of the traditional hunting camps, lies within the area being explored for Marcellus Shale natural gas, and has seen a dramatic increase in drilling,” Roe said. “Northeastern Pennsylvania also has seen a large volume of Marcellus Shale activity.”

Roe also noted that there have been significant impacts on hunter accessibility in many areas of the state.

“Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee created widespread access issues on State Game Land roads, parking areas and trails,” Roe said. “Although our Food and Cover Corps crews have worked hard to alleviate these problems, there just isn’t enough time before the season to make all of it right. Pre-season scouting will acquaint you with access issues that may impact your hunting plans. So, do your homework before the opening day to ensure your days afield will be all you expect them to be.”

Deer season will open with a five-day, antlered deer-only season in Wildlife Management Units (WMUs) 2A, 2C, 2D, 2E, 2F, 2G, 3B, 3C, 4B, 4D and 4E from Nov. 28-Dec. 2. It is followed in these WMUs by seven days of concurrent, antlered and antlerless deer hunting beginning Dec. 3, and continuing through Dec. 10. The rest of the state follows the two-week concurrent, antlered and antlerless season – Nov. 28-Dec. 10 – that has been in place since 2001.

Hunters must wear 250 square inches of fluorescent orange material on the head, chest and back combined at all times while afield during the seasons. They also are advised that it’s illegal to hunt, chase or disturb deer within 150 yards of any occupied building without the occupant’s permission if they are using a firearm, or 50 yards if they are using a bow or crossbow.

During the two-week season, hunters may use any legal sporting arm, as outlined on page 45 of the 2011-12 Digest. Rifles are not permitted to be used in Allegheny, Bucks, Chester, Delaware or Montgomery counties, however, shotguns and muzzleloaders are legal. Deer hunters in Philadelphia may use only bows or crossbows.

All hunters who take a deer must fill out their harvest tag and attach it to the deer’s ear before moving the carcass. The tag can be secured to the base of the ear with a string drawn very tightly, if the hunter plans to have the deer mounted. Cutting a slit in the ear to attach the tag will require additional work by a taxidermist.

Roe noted that properly licensed bear hunters who still possess an unused bear tag come deer season may take a bear during the first week of deer season but only in selected WMUs. Specific seasons and reporting requirements for taking bear during deer season are outlined on page 36 of the 2011-12 Digest issued with the purchase of a hunting license. The Digest also may be viewed on the Game Commission’s website (www.pgc.state.pa.us).

Hunters are reminded that they have 10 days to report deer harvests (five days for persons using homemade tags). Reporting is easier than ever before. Hunters can report their kill using the postage paid card supplied with their 2011-12 Digest, or online using the Internet at www.pgc.state.pa.us, or calling 1-855-PAHUNT1 (1-855-724-8681).

Pennsylvania Game Commission

HARRISBURG, PA --(Ammoland.com)- The state’s early firearms antlerless deer seasons – early muzzleloader season, Oct. 15-22, and special firearms season for junior, senior, active duty military and certain disabled hunters, Oct. 20-22 – will soon be here, along with seasons for squirrels and grouse, so there will be plenty of hunting opportunities across the state, according to Carl G. Roe, Pennsylvania Game Commission executive director.

Roe noted that these early antlerless deer seasons provide hunters more ways to fit deer hunting into their busy schedules, and offer a more relaxing hunt to those who prefer warmer weather and fewer hunters in the woods.

“Although the October antlerless seasons increase hunting opportunities, their harvests still are controlled by antlerless deer license allocations, which are set to remove a pre-determined number of antlerless deer from a Wildlife Management Unit (WMU),” Roe said.

Hunters heading afield for the October firearms seasons should find that deer numbers vary by locality.

To participate in the early muzzleloader season (Oct. 15-22), hunters must have a general hunting license, muzzleloader stamp and a valid antlerless deer license or Deer Management Assistance Program (DMAP) antlerless deer permit. Hunters may use in-line, percussion and flintlock muzzleloaders during the early muzzleloader season. They also may use scopes, peep-sights and other lawful sighting devices on muzzleloaders during the October hunt.

To participate in the special firearms antlerless season (Oct. 20-22), hunters must have a general hunting license and a valid antlerless deer license, and qualify in one of the following license categories: resident junior or senior license holders; nonresident junior license holder; nonresident adult license holders age 65 or older; hold a disabled person permit to use a vehicle as a blind; be residents who are serving on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces; or qualify for license and fee exceptions under section 2706. Sporting arms permitted include: manually-operated center-fire rifles, handguns and shotguns; 44-caliber or larger muzzleloading long guns; 50-caliber or larger muzzleloading handguns; long, recurve or compound bows; and crossbows.

Based on a recent change in state law and Game Commission regulations, these two antlerless deer seasons now are open to participants of the Mentored Youth Hunting Program, which was created for those under the age of 12. Mentored youth must obtain a MYHP permit ($2.70) for the current year, and they may only receive one antlerless deer license by transfer during a license year. Adult mentors may transfer more than one antlerless deer license, but they must be to different mentored youth. The transfer is only valid if done in the WMU that the specific antlerless deer license was issued for. (NOTE: The law and regulations were changed after the publication date for the 2011-12 Digest, so information in the Digest on this new opportunity is out of date.)

For antlered deer, the mentored youth must use the harvest tag that comes with the MYHP permit.

Antlerless deer permits issued as part of the DMAP or “Red Tag” program are not allowed to be transferred.

Hunters are advised that they may take only antlerless deer in the early muzzleloader and special firearms seasons, and that they may hunt only in the WMU or DMAP areas for which they have obtained antlerless deer licenses. An antlerless deer is defined as a deer without antlers, or a deer with antlers both of which are less than three inches in length.

Muzzleloader and special firearms season hunters are reminded that when multiple harvests of deer per day are permitted, only one deer at a time may be taken. Before attempting to take an additional deer, the first deer must be lawfully tagged. However, in Special Regulations Area counties of Allegheny, Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery and Philadelphia, hunters may shoot multiple deer before tagging. Deer must be tagged immediately after they are harvested and before the carcass is moved. The tag must be attached to the ear and remain attached until the deer is processed for consumption or prepared for mounting.

Any hunter who by accident or mistake kills an illegal deer is required to deliver the carcass – entrails removed – within 24 hours of the kill to any Game Commission officer in the county where the deer was killed. A written statement also must be provided to the officer explaining when, where and how the accident or mistake occurred. The deer must be tagged with the appropriate deer harvest tag.

Hunters may purchase muzzleloader licenses at any time. The license entitles them to hunt in both the fall antlerless muzzleloader season and the traditional flintlock season. Regulations for the after-Christmas muzzleloader season remain unchanged: hunters may use only primitive type muzzleloading long guns 44-caliber or larger with flintlock ignition systems and primitive sighting devices. Fiber-optic inserts are permitted sighting devices.

Hunters in either October firearms season are required to wear 250 square inches of fluorescent orange clothing on the head, chest and back combined at all times. Bowhunters afield during the overlap of the archery and October antlerless firearms seasons also must wear at least 250 square inches of fluorescent orange while moving and display an orange alert band while on stand.

Ohio Department Natural Resources

COLUMBUS, OH --(Ammoland.com)- COLUMBUS, OH- Ohio’s popular deer-gun season will run an additional weekend, Saturday and Sunday, December 18-19, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR), Division of Wildlife.

The extra weekend days were added beginning in 2006 in response to comments received from hunters for more weekend time to hunt. Deer can be hunted with a legal muzzleloader, handgun or shotgun from one half-hour before sunrise until sunset on December 18-19. Ohio’s pre-hunting season population was estimated at 750,000 white-tailed deer.

So far this season, 189,297 deer have been taken. A total of 75,319 deer were killed during the first nine weeks of the statewide archery season, which began September 25 and continues through February 6, 2011. The special youth season, held November 20-21, resulted in young hunters bagging 9,024 deer. Hunters checked 104,442 deer during the statewide deer-gun season, November 29 – December 5. Another 512 deer were taken during the early muzzleloader deer season held in October at Shawnee, Salt Fork and Wolf Creek state wildlife areas.

The white-tailed deer is the most popular game animal in Ohio, frequently pursued by generations of hunters. Ohio ranks 8th nationally in annual hunting-related sales and 10th in the number of jobs associated with the hunting-related industry. Each year, hunting has a $859 million economic impact in Ohio through the sale of equipment, fuel, food, lodging and more.

Ohio is divided into three deer hunting zones. After November 28, a limit of one deer may be taken in Zone A (11 counties) and two deer in Zone B (39 counties). Beginning on December 6, the bag limit is three deer in Zone C and antlerless deer permits are no longer valid. Any time a hunter is allowed to take more than one deer, they must purchase an additional permit.

Those hunting in urban units and at Division of Wildlife-authorized controlled hunts will have a six-deer bag limit, and those deer will not count against the hunter’s zone bag limit. Antlerless deer permits can be used for the entire season in urban deer units or Division of Wildlife-authorized controlled hunts. Antlerless deer permits are no longer available and must have been purchased prior to November 28.

Hunters may take only one antlered deer, regardless of zone, hunting method or season. A deer permit is required in addition to a valid Ohio hunting license. Hunter orange is required. Only deer, coyote and waterfowl can be hunted during the extra deer-gun weekend.

Donations of extra deer will be accepted through the entire deer season which ends on February 6, 2011. Hunters who give their deer to a food bank are not required to pay the processing cost as long as the deer are taken to a participating processor and funding for the effort lasts. Counties being served by this program can be found online at www.fhfh.org.

Additional hunting regulations and maps of the state’s deer zones are listed in the 2010-2011 Ohio Hunting Regulations. This free publication is available wherever hunting licenses are sold, online at wildohio.com or by calling 1-800-WILDLIFE.

Ohio hunters and birdwatchers are reminded that they will need to be aware of one another as they pursue deer and birds on this shared weekend. Hunters need to remember that there may be other people—both hunters and non-hunters— in the woods. Birders are also reminded that hunters are allowed to hunt wherever they have written permission to hunt. And, while hunters are required to wear hunter orange in the field, birders should consider wearing a hunter orange vest or hat during the deer-gun weekend.

The 2010-2011 licenses will not be printed on weatherproof paper. Sportsmen and women should protect their licenses and permits from the elements by carrying them in a protective pouch or wallet.

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 www.ohiodnr.com.

WhiteTail Deer Hunters Increase Kill on Opening Day of Gun Season

Ohio Department Natural Resources

COLUMBUS, OH --(Ammoland.com)- COLUMBUS, OH – Ohio hunters had near ideal weather for the opening day of deer-gun season. Hunters took 37,805 white-tailed deer on Monday, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife.

The deer-gun season remains open through Sunday, December 5, and then reopens for two days on Saturday and Sunday, December 18-19.

The preliminary figures from deer check stations throughout the state show an increase of 12.5 percent from last year’s opening day total of 33,607.

Counties reporting the highest numbers of deer checked on Monday included: Tuscarawas – 1,806; Coshocton – 1,536; Harrison – 1,439; Guernsey – 1,406; Holmes – 1,312; Licking – 1,259; Washington – 1,192; Ashtabula – 983; Muskingum – 930; and Athens – 886.

Combining the results of Monday’s harvest with those from the early muzzleloader season, the first six weeks of archery season and the recent youth deer-gun season, a preliminary total of 97,371 deer have been killed so far this deer hunting season. That number compares to 97,371 harvested last year at this time. In all, hunters took a total of 261,314 deer during all of last year’s hunting seasons.

Approximately 420,000 hunters are expected to participate in the statewide deer-gun season. Ohio’s deer population was estimated to be 750,000 prior to the start of the fall hunting seasons.

The white-tailed deer is the most popular game animal in Ohio, frequently pursued by generations of hunters. Ohio ranks 8th nationally in annual hunting-related sales and 10th in the number of jobs associated with the hunting-related industry. Each year, hunting has an $859 million economic impact in Ohio through the sale of equipment, fuel, food, lodging and more.

Division of Wildlife Chief Dave Graham challenges all deer hunters to make this year special for Ohio’s hungry by labeling Saturday, December 4, as Farmers and Hunters Feeding the Hungry (FHFH) Day. Last year, hunters showed they cared by donating nearly 467,000 meals to Ohioans in need.

Hunters who give their deer to a food bank are not required to pay the processing cost as long as the deer are taken to a participating processor and funding for the effort lasts. Counties being served by this program can be found online at www.fhfh.org.

Hunters who wish to share their success can submit a photo of themselves and the deer they killed this year for publication on the Division of Wildlife’s Web page.

A detailed listing of deer-hunting rules is contained in the 2010-2011 Ohio Hunting Regulations, available wherever licenses are sold, and online at wildohio.com.

The 2010-2011 licenses will not be printed on weatherproof paper. Sportsmen and women should protect their licenses and permits from the elements by carrying them in a protective pouch or wallet.

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 www.ohiodnr.com.

NOTE: THE FOLLOWING IS A LIST OF THE NUMBER OF DEER CHECKED AND TAGGED BY HUNTERS DURING THE FIRST DAY OF DEER-GUN HUNTING SEASON. THE NUMBER TAKEN DURING THE 2009 SEASON IS MARKED IN ( ): 2010 (2009)

Adams –502(481); Allen –90(118); Ashland –793(619); Ashtabula –983(836); Athens –886(925); Auglaize –87(80); Belmont –844(640); Brown –364(240); Butler –121(89); Carroll –680(691); Champaign –150 (232); Clark –100(87); Clermont –420(297); Clinton –191(186); Columbiana –851(628); Coshocton –1,536(1,353); Crawford –306(288); Cuyahoga –30(25); Darke –68(55); Defiance –425(293); Delaware –199(179); Erie –96(112); Fairfield –499(609); Fayette –37(74); Franklin –62(68); Fulton –188(123); Gallia –607(455); Geauga –268(188); Greene –64(63); Guernsey –1,406(1,284); Hamilton –99(72); Hancock –119(153); Hardin –198(169); Harrison –1,439(1,374); Henry –203(88); Highland –490(543); Hocking –703(793); Holmes –1,312(1,165); Huron –477(367); Jackson –720(776); Jefferson –774(767); Knox –700(761); Lake –83(63); Lawrence –406(320); Licking –1,259(1,182); Logan –333(255); Lorain –233(210); Lucas –72(76); Madison –55(42); Mahoning –307(238); Marion –114(96); Medina –200(146); Meigs –717(569); Mercer –98(79); Miami –37(35); Monroe –638(670); Montgomery –52(37); Morgan –610(579); Morrow –354 (260); Muskingum –930(799); Noble –741(745); Ottawa –19(12); Paulding –322(140); Perry –681(631); Pickaway –149(188); Pike –211(300); Portage –177(122); Preble –60(39); Putnam –242(196); Richland –449(404); Ross –734(638); Sandusky –43(67); Scioto –450(249); Seneca –341(255); Shelby –165(141); Stark –602(487); Summit –88(62); Trumbull –639(572); Tuscarawas –1,806(1,763); Union –165(125); Van Wert –125(55); Vinton –629(548); Warren –172(117); Washington –1,192(1,010); Wayne –285(220); Williams –364(253); Wood –138(99); Wyandot –231(167); TOTAL: 37,805(33,607)

Maryland Department of Natural Resources

Annapolis, MD --(Ammoland.com)- The Maryland Natural Resources Police (NRP) encourages hunters to put safety first as this year’s firearm deer season opens November 27, the day with the greatest concentration of hunters afield.

“Tree stand incidents account for most hunting accidents,” said NRP Superintendent Colonel George G. Johnson IV. “There have already been three tree stand related hunting fatalities this hunting season.”

All hunters should use a full-body safety harness that keeps the hunter tethered to the tree and prevents a fall to the ground. NRP reminds hunters to inspect their safety equipment prior to use and replace any worn or broken pieces. The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has produced a helpful video, demonstrating how to use a tree stand and full-body safety harness that can be viewed above.

The improper use of weapons has been another cause of accidents. Hunters should inspect, be familiar with, and practice with the weapon that is to be used prior to the start of the hunt.

When handling a weapon, hunters should always follow two cardinal rules:

• Treat every gun as if it is loaded and never point the firearm at anything unless intending to shoot.
• Positively identify the intended target and make sure the area beyond is devoid of other hunters or property before the trigger is pulled.

Before hunting, all hunters should follow these laws and regulations before they go hunting:

• Hunters must obtain and possess a hunting license while hunting.
• A course in firearms and hunter safety is required for those who did not hunt prior to July 1, 1977.
• Hunters must possess written permission from landowner before hunting on private property.
• Hunters and companions must wear a fluorescent cap or outer garment that contains 250 square-inches of fluorescent orange color.
• Possessing loaded weapons in a vehicle is prohibited. This includes ammunition in the magazine or chamber.
• It is illegal to shoot or hunt from or across a roadway.
• Hunting within 150 yards of a residence, camp or other building is prohibited without advance permission of owner or occupant.
• Before removing the deer from the location of the kill, a field tag must be filled out and attached to the deer. It must be recorded on the hunter’s Big Game Harvest Record.
• Hunters must check-in the deer within 24 hours of field tagging to the Department of Natural Resources via the internet at www.gamecheck.dnr.state.md.us or the call the Big Game Registration phone line at 1-888-800-0120. The confirmation number must then be entered onto the Big Game Harvest Record.

Citizens are encouraged to call the Natural Resources Police Communication Center at 800-628-9944 with poaching complaints, public lands enforcement questions or maritime enforcement questions.

Georgia Firearms Deer Season Opens October 16

Georgia Department of Natural Resources

SOCIAL CIRCLE, Ga. --(Ammoland.com)- It is finally that time of the year again for Georgia hunters.

Firearms deer season opens Saturday, Oct. 16 and lasts through Jan. 1, 2011 in the Northern Zone and in the Southern Zone, through Jan. 15, 2011.

“Regulated hunting is the most cost effective and efficient means of managing the deer herd,” says John W. Bowers, assistant chief of Game Management for the Wildlife Resources Division. “In addition, sportsmen and women provide more than $30 million each year to fund wildlife conservation in the state through license fees and self-imposed excise taxes collected on the purchase of firearms, ammunition, archery equipment and fishing equipment.”

More than one million acres of public hunting land is available to hunters in Georgia, including more than 100 state-operated wildlife management areas. In addition to traditional hunters, many special hunts are offered, including ladies-only and adult/child hunts. Dates and locations for these hunts, as well as WMA maps, are available in the 2010-2011 Georgia Hunting Seasons and Regulations guide at www.gohuntgeorgia.com .

During the 2009-2010 firearms deer season, 305,000 licensed hunters harvested more than 398,000 deer in Georgia.

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).

A valid hunting license is required to hunt deer during firearms season, as is a big game license and a deer harvest record. In most cases, a separate WMA license is required to hunt on a WMA. All deer hunters must wear at least 500 square-inches of fluorescent orange above the waist to legally hunt during firearms season, except on archery-only areas.

Georgia is considered the 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 availability of vast acres of public hunting land serve as the main appeal.

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

Michigan Department of Natural Resources

Michigan --(Ammoland.com)- With the start of the fall hunting seasons, now is the time for hunters to sight in their bows, rifles and shotguns at one of the Department of Natural Resources and Environment’s staff-operated shooting ranges.

The DNRE oversees six shooting ranges in southern Michigan, including the Rose Lake Shooting Range in Bath (Clinton County); Sharonville Shooting Range in Grass Lake (Jackson County); Island Lake Shooting Range in Brighton (Livingston County); Ortonville Shooting Range in Ortonville (Lapeer County); Bald Mountain Shooting Range in Lake Orion (Oakland County) and Pontiac Lake Shooting Range in Waterford (Oakland County). An archery range is not available at Island Lake.

During October, Ortonville, Pontiac Lake, Rose Lake, and Sharonville ranges are open six days a week, closed Tuesdays. From Nov. 1 – 15, the ranges are open daily.

Hours at Ortonville and Pontiac Lake ranges are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Rose Lake and Sharonville ranges.

Range fees at Ortonville and Pontiac Lake are $4 per day for each shooter age 16 and older. Children under 16 are free. Rose Lake and Sharonville have no fee. The Bald Mountain and Island Lake ranges are operated under contract by Michigan Shooting Centers, LCC. Please contact Island Lake at 248-437-2784 and Bald Mountain at 248-693-0567, or visit their website www.mishoot.com/ for hours and fees.

For more information on DNRE operated shooting ranges, please call the ranges.

The telephone numbers are:

• Bald Mountain: 248-693-0567
• Island Lake: 248-437-2784
• Ortonville: 248-627-5569
• Pontiac Lake: 248-666-5406
• Rose Lake: 517-641-7801
• Sharonville: 734-428-8035

Hunters are encouraged to check out Ortonville’s new 3-D archery range and Bald Mountain’s new sporting clays course. Please contact the ranges for more details.

Shooters are reminded to bring eye and ear protection and approved targets with either a bull’s eye pattern or a depiction of legal game. Shooters under age 16 must be directly supervised by an adult.

Information about the DNRE shooting ranges and other public and private shooting ranges can be found on the DNRE website at www.michigan.gov/shootingranges.

The Department of Natural Resources and Environment is committed to the conservation, protection, management, and accessible use and enjoyment of the state’s environment, natural resources, and related economic interests for current and future generations. Learn more at www.michigan.gov/dnre.

Michigan Department of Natural Resources

Michigan --(Ammoland.com)- The Department of Natural Resources and Environment reminds hunters that the archery deer season opens statewide on Friday, Oct. 1.

The season runs from Oct. 1 to Nov. 14, then reopens after the firearm deer season for late archery hunting Dec. 1 to Jan. 1.

During the archery season, an archery license, combination license regular tag or combination license restricted tag can be used to harvest either an antlerless deer or a buck. Antlerless-only licenses are also valid during the archery season.

If a hunter chooses to harvest a buck with an archery tag or combination license.

The following restrictions apply:

• Using an archery tag: Bucks must have one antler at least three inches long, except in DMUs 117, 135 and 245, where one antler must have at least two points, and in DMUs 045 and 122, where one antler must have at least three points.
• Using a combination license regular tag: Bucks must have one antler at least three inches long, except in DMUs 117 and 245, where one antler must have at least two points, and in DMUs 045, 122, 487 and the entire Upper Peninsula, where one antler must have at least three points.
• Using a combination license restricted tag: Bucks must have at least four points on one side.
• Hunters are limited to purchasing only two kill tags for bucks each year – either an archery tag and a regular firearm tag, or a combination license with two kill tags valid during both the archery and firearm hunting seasons. Regardless of the types of licenses purchased, if two bucks are harvested, one of them must have at least four points on at least one antler. Also, if a buck is harvested in the Upper Peninsula (U.P.) or DMU 487 with an archery tag, a second buck cannot be taken from that same hunting unit (U.P. or 487) with a regular firearm license. Hunters are encouraged to be familiar with the antler point restrictions in their chosen DMU before purchasing a license.

“With 75 days open for archery deer hunting in Michigan, bow and arrow enthusiasts have boundless opportunities to get outdoors and fill those deer tags,” said DNRE deer and elk program leader Brent Rudolph. “Additionally, crossbow regulations have been expanded statewide, which we believe will lead to more hunters participating in archery season than ever before.”

In August, the Natural Resources Commission voted to allow all legal hunters 10 years old and older to use crossbows statewide. All archery and firearm seasons are open to crossbow hunting, except in the Upper Peninsula, where deer hunters cannot use crossbows after Nov. 30 unless they have a disability permit. The free crossbow stamp is still required for all crossbow hunters.

Hunters are also reminded that the baiting and feeding of deer and elk remains prohibited in the entire Lower Peninsula of Michigan.

Detailed information regarding deer hunting regulations can be found in the Michigan Hunting and Trapping Digest, available at all license vendors, DNRE Operations Service Centers and online at www.michigan.gov/hunting.

The Department of Natural Resources and Environment is committed to the conservation, protection, management, and accessible use and enjoyment of the state’s environment, natural resources and related economic interests for current and future generations. Learn more at www.michigan.gov/dnre.

2010 Wisconsin Deer Hunting Season Map

Wisconsin DNR

MADISON, WI –-(AmmoLand.com)- The 2010 deer hunting seasons structure map is now available on the Department of Natural Resources website. The map identifies Deer Management Units (DMU) as regular, herd control or chronic wasting disease management earn-a-buck. The complete 2010 Deer Hunting Regulations will be available later this summer.

For 2010, a total of 66 DMUs are designated as regular units meaning they will have traditional nine-day gun hunts with buck plus antlerless quota rules. This is an increase from 62 regular units in 2009 and from 22 units in 2008.

Antlerless deer harvest is carefully managed by permits in regular units and 18 regular units will have no antlerless deer harvest permits available to deer hunters in 2010. This is up from 13 units with no antlerless permits available in 2009 and is the fastest possible way to increase herd populations in units where the herd is below established goals. In remaining regular units antlerless deer harvest permits are limited and unit-specific and may be purchased by residents for $12 each and by nonresidents for $20 each. Unit specific antlerless permits will go on sale in August.

At the suggestion of hunters and hunter groups, the department is proposing eliminating harvest of antlerless deer by bow hunters in gun quota units that do not have antlerless permits available. Public hearings on this proposal are scheduled for May 17 in Rhinelander, May 18 in Fitchburg and May 24 in Green Bay. For more information on the proposal and hearing times and locations contact Jason Fleener (608) 261-7589 jason.fleener@wisconsin.gov or review the proposal online.

For 2010, 46 DMUs are designated as herd control. Located mainly in the agricultural regions of the state, deer populations in herd control units are estimated to be more than 20 percent above established goals. There is an unlimited supply of antlerless deer harvest permits available for HC units at $2 each. The permits are not unit specific. Hunters can also use the antlerless permit that comes with each archery and gun deer license in any herd control unit. Herd control units will also have an Oct. 14-17 antlerless deer only gun hunt.

There are 22 DMUs designated as Chronic Wasting Disease Management Units in 2010. These units will have unlimited earn-a-buck rules as they have in past seasons and will also be included in the Oct. 14-17 antlerless deer only gun hunt. Earn-a-buck requires hunters to first harvest an antlerless deer before a buck. Unused buck authorizations from the 2009 season can be used to harvest a buck in the 2010 season. Hunters may shoot as many antlerless deer as they wish and will receive a buck authorization for each antlerless deer registered.
Youth gun deer hunt

Youth ages 10-15 with or without a hunter safety certificate will be able to participate in the Oct. 9-10 Youth Deer Hunt in 2010. Youth hunters 10-15 years of age who do not have a hunter safety certificate can hunt with a mentor under the mentored hunting program created in 2009. Youth 12-15 years of age who do have hunter safety certificate must be accompanied by an adult 18 years of age or older during this youth hunt. Youth participating in this hunt will be able to shoot one antlered buck with their gun buck deer carcass tag and additional antlerless deer per antlerless deer carcass tag valid in the DMU where the youth is hunting.

Nebraska Game and Parks Commission

LINCOLN, Neb --(AmmoLand.com)- The Nebraska Game and Parks Board of Commissioners on Friday adopted regulations designed to increase the harvest of antlerless white-tailed deer in 2010.

A record deer harvest was expected in 2009, but a late crop harvest, a cold winter with record snowfall and low interest in the October Antlerless season resulted in an antlerless white-tailed deer harvest that fell below objectives.

In 2009, 29,711 antlerless whitetails were harvested. The goal for this year is 42,000.

Commission deer management goals are to reduce white-tailed deer populations, especially in eastern Nebraska, and along the major river corridors, and to allow mule deer populations to increase in eastern and southwestern mule deer units.

Among the deer regulations the board adopted at its regular meeting in Lincoln are:

• Expanding the October Antlerless season – The season is lengthened from three days to 10, and the hunting area is expanded. The hunting area includes land in the following Season Choice Areas: 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 9 River, 11, 12, 18, 19, 20, 21, and 22. An unlimited number of permits, which allow the harvest of two antlerless whitetails each, will cost $10 for residents, $54 for nonresidents. Hunter orange no longer is required of archers during the October Antlerless season, but the requirement remains in place for firearm hunters.
• Earn-a-Buck – This tool, designed to increase doe harvest, requires hunters with Elkhorn and Wahoo unit November firearm permits to check in a doe before or at the same time as they check in a buck. The November firearm season will be extended two days for hunters in these units.
• Mule Deer Conservation Area – The area is comprised of the Buffalo, Frenchman, Republican, and Platte units. The only hunters who may harvest a mule deer buck are youth, landowners and those with the new Republican mule deer buck, Buffalo, Platte, or Frenchman permits. These permits allow harvest in archery, muzzleloader and November firearms seasons. Restricted statewide buck, archery and muzzleloader permits will not be valid for mule deer bucks in the Mule Deer Conservation Area.
• Establishing new Season Choice Areas – The following Season Choice Areas are established within existing areas: SCA 8 West, SCA 9 North, SCA 9 River, SCA 17 White River, SCA 24 River, and SCA 25 North. These are intended to allow for additional pressure on white-tailed deer in riparian areas and to allow for mule deer doe harvest where needed.
• Expanding January late antlerless season – The season is lengthened from 15 to 24 days and begins Dec. 26. Hunter orange is required for archers.
• Using bow with firearm permits – Archery equipment will be allowed as a legal weapon on firearm permits in November and January. Hunter orange is required.
• Establishing new Statewide Whitetail Buck permit – This permit will be unlimited in number and valid in archery, muzzleloader and November firearm seasons. The bag limit will be one whitetail buck and one antlerless whitetail. The permit price is $72.50 for residents, $521 for nonresidents.

More permits available – An additional 45,000 antlerless permits and bonus tags will be available statewide.

Regulation changes to antelope hunting include increasing the landowner quotas from 20 percent of general tags to 50 percent, making electronic checking available for archery and muzzleloader seasons, establishing a new Cherry Late firearm unit and a corresponding late doe season for that unit.

Regulation changes to elk hunting include increasing permit quotas in most units and expanding elk zones in many units to increase landowner eligibility.

Following are the 2010 big game season dates:

Deer

• Archery – Sept. 15-Nov. 12 and Nov. 22-Dec. 31
• Mule Deer Conservation Area – Sept. 15-Dec. 31
• October Antlerless (any weapon) – Oct. 2-11
• November Firearm – Nov. 13-21
• Earn-a-Buck November Firearm (Wahoo and Elkhorn units) – Nov. 13-23
• Muzzleloader – Dec. 1-31
• Season Choice (antlerless) – Sept. 15-Jan. 18, 2011 with bow; Dec. 1-31 with muzzleloader and Nov. 13-21 and Jan. 1-18, 2011 with firearm
• Youth and Landowner – Sept. 15-Dec. 31 with bow; Dec. 1-31 with muzzleloader; Nov. 13-21 with firearm; and Dec. 26-Jan. 18, 2011 (antlerless only) with bow or firearm
• DeSoto Muzzleloader – Oct. 16-17; Oct. 30-31; Dec. 11-12; and Jan. 8-9, 2011
• Boyer Chute – Oct. 23-24; Nov. 20-21 and Dec. 18-19

Antelope

• Archery – Aug. 20-Nov. 12 and Nov. 22-Dec. 31, but closed during firearm antelope season in all areas open to firearm antelope hunting
• Muzzleloader – Sept. 18-Oct. 3
• Firearm – Oct. 9-24
• Late Firearm (Cherry Late unit) – Oct. 9-Nov. 12

Elk

• Bull Permits – Sept. 25-Oct. 24
• Antlerless Permits – Sept. 25-Oct. 24 and Dec. 1-21
• Boyd Unit – Aug. 15-Nov. 12 and Nov. 22-Dec. 31

In other business, the board:

• – Adopted changes to underwater spearfishing regulations. The regulations give underwater spearfishers the same daily bag and possession limit on walleyes as hook-and-line anglers: four walleye over 15 inches, of which only one can be 22 inches or longer. This replaces regulations allowing the take of two fish greater than 15 inches, one of which had to be 22 inches or longer.
• – Approved regulations allowing the Commission to sell expired permits and stamps for no more than $25.
• – Adopted a resolution to expand the focus area of activities for the Focus on Pheasants plan in Nebraska. The plan is an effort of landowners and conservation partners to increase pheasant habitat and populations as well as hunter opportunities.
• – Approved a gift of the O. John Emerson Tract in Holt County from the Nebraska Game and Parks Foundation. The land has been managed by the Commission as O. John Emerson Wildlife Management Area (WMA).
• – Approved the acquisition of 40 acres of land in York County for wildlife diversity and hunting and designated it as an addition to Kirkpatrick Basin WMA.

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

Pennsylvania Game Commission

HARRISBURG, PA –-(AmmoLand.com)- The Board of Game Commissioners gave preliminary approval to a slate of deer seasons for the 2010-11 seasons that includes adding Wildlife Management Units (WMUs) 2C, 2E, 4D and 4E to the split five-day antlered deer season, Nov. 29-Dec. 3, and seven-day concurrent season, Dec. 4-11. Those WMUs now part of the split season structure are WMUs 2C, 2D, 2E, 2G, 3C, 4B, 4D and 4E.

The proposed package retains the two-week (12-day) concurrent, antlered and antlerless season in the remaining 14 WMUs.

Deer harvest data from 2009-10 is expected in mid-March, and will be used to guide the Board’s establishment of antlerless deer license allocations.

Two other changes proposed, so far, is to eliminate the two-week antlerless deer seasons held following the close of the regular firearms season leading up to Christmas in Wildlife Management Units 2B, 5C and 5D. However, the Board voted to extend the concurrent antlered/antlerless deer hunting for archery hunters in WMUs 2B, 5C and 5D from Jan. 17-29.

Based on a motion by Game Commissioner Thomas Boop, the Board directed staff to prepare for its April meeting to suspend the issuance of Deer Management Assistance Program (DMAP) antlerless deer permits to public landowners, unless an approved management plan is in place. Boop noted that this action does not impact private landowners ability to enroll in DMAP, which enables landowner to address deer management objectives on their properties.

Hunters with DMAP antlerless deer permits may use them on the lands for which they were issued during any established deer season, and will continue to be permitted to harvest antlerless deer from Nov. 29-Dec. 11 in WMUs 2C, 2D, 2E, 2G, 3C, 4B, 4D and 4E.

Ohio Division of Wildlife

COLUMBUS, OH --(AmmoLand.com)- Ohio’s popular muzzleloader deer season is set to open statewide January 9-12 according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division of Wildlife. Last year, hunters checked 20,659 white-tailed deer during the statewide hunt.

A total of 227,748 deer have been harvested so far this season when combining the adult and youth gun seasons, early muzzleloader season, gun weekend, and the first nine weeks of the archery season. That compares to a total of 218,890 killed last year during the same time period. Hunters took a total of 252,017 deer during all of last year’s hunting seasons.

Prior to the start of the hunting season, Ohio’s deer population was estimated at 650,000. The Division of Wildlife expects as many as 210,000 hunters will hunt deer during the muzzleloader season.

Ohio deer hunters must possess the proper permits. Regardless of zone, method of taking or season, hunters may take only one antlered deer during the 2009-2010 deer hunting season.

Legal hunting hours during the statewide muzzleloader deer season are one-half hour before sunrise to sunset. Deer must be checked by 8 p.m. on the day after harvest, except those killed on January 12, which must be brought to a deer check station by 8 p.m. that day.

Ohio’s small game, furbearer and waterfowl seasons also will be open during the muzzleloader season. During those overlapping four days, small game hunters and deer hunters must visibly wear a coat, jacket, vest or coveralls that are either solid hunter orange or camouflage hunter orange in color.

Hunters have been encouraged to kill more does this season and donate extra venison to organizations assisting Ohioans in need. The division is collaborating with Farmers and Hunters Feeding the Hungry to help pay for the processing of donated venison. Hunters who give their deer to a food bank are not required to pay the processing cost as long as the deer are taken to a participating processor and funding for the effort lasts. Counties being served by this program can be found online at www.fhfh.org.

The white-tailed deer is the most popular game animal in Ohio, frequently pursued by generations of hunters. Ohio ranks 6th nationally in annual hunting-related sales and 4th in the number of jobs associated with the hunting-related industry. Each year, hunting has a $1.5 billion economic impact in Ohio. Hunting related retail sales in Ohio total more than $700 million.

Additional hunting regulations and maps of deer zones are contained in the 2009-2010 Ohio Hunting Regulations. This free publication is available where hunting licenses are sold and from the Division of Wildlife by calling 1-800-WILDLIFE or on the Internet at wildohio.com.

The 2009-2010 licenses will not be printed on weatherproof paper. Sportsmen and women should protect their licenses and permits from the elements by carrying them in a protective pouch or wallet.

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 www.ohiodnr.com.

Maryland Department of Natural Resources

ANNAPOLIS, Md. —-(AmmoLand.com)- Maryland’s Firearm Deer Season will reopen for white-tailed deer on January 8 and 9 in Deer Management Region B.

This two-day deer season provides additional opportunities for landowners to manage deer numbers, while offering hunters a late season recreational opportunity.

The firearm season is closed in Deer Management Region A (Allegany and Garrett counties) and the sika deer firearm season is closed as well.

“The late firearm season is a great time to harvest antlerless deer,” said Wildlife and Heritage Service Deer Project Leader Brian Eyler. “In January 2009, about 80% of the 4,160 deer harvested were antlerless. This additional opportunity is an important part of our deer management scheme in Region B.”

Complete bag limits, season dates and other deer hunting information can be found on the DNR website www.dnr.maryland.gov/huntersguide.

The 2009-2010 Maryland Guide to Hunting & Trapping issued with each hunting license contains detailed information about all of Maryland’s hunting seasons.

If your application is drawn to join Utah’s Dedicated Hunter program, you can hunt all three general buck deer seasons for the next three years. Photo by Bill Bates

Utah Division of Natural Resources

Utah --(AmmoLand.com)- Jan. 4 is the first day to apply for Dedicated Hunter program

You can hunt all three general buck deer seasons for the next three years if your application is drawn to join Utah’s Dedicated Hunter program.

And you can hunt those seasons in the region of your choice.

Applications to join the program will be accepted starting Jan. 4. Before you can apply, however, you must complete the program’s free online orientation course. The course will teach you more about the program.

You can take the course at wildlife.utah.gov/dh.

“The Dedicated Hunter program is a great program for the state’s deer hunters and for the state’s wildlife,” says Rhianna Christopher, volunteer services coordinator for the Division of Wildlife Resources.

“The program gives participants a chance to help mule deer and other wildlife by helping with habitat projects,” she says. “In return, you get to hunt deer all three seasons in the region of your choice.”

Christopher says the program is capped at 10,000 hunters. About 4,000 spots are open for 2010.

To be included in the draw to join the program, your application must be received no later than 11 p.m. on Jan. 19.

In addition to the required orientation course, wildlife.utah.gov/dh also provides an overview of the program. You can also call the nearest Division of Wildlife Resources office or (801) 538-4711 for more information.

West Virginia DNR

West Virginia --(AmmoLand.com)- Preliminary data collected from game checking stations across the state indicate deer hunters in West Virginia harvested 62,491 bucks during the two-week buck firearms season, which ran from Nov. 23 through Dec. 5, according to Division of Natural Resources Director Frank Jezioro.

The 2009 buck harvest was 7 percent less than the 2008 harvest of 67,365. The top ten counties for buck harvest were as follows: Jackson (2,493), Lewis (2,215), Preston (2,123), Roane (2,116), Mason (2,105), Ritchie (1,979), Braxton (1,896), Randolph (1,896), Greenbrier (1,896) and Wood (1,853).

This year’s buck kill is somewhat lower than last year, primarily as a result of a decline in the buck harvest in DNR Districts 1 and 2, which encompass the northern and northeastern counties of the state. The harvest was similar to last year in the remaining four DNR districts. Overall, the 2009 harvest increased in 16 counties and declined in 35 counties (see accompanying chart. If you cannot read it in your e-mail reader, go to the “News” section of the WVDNR Web site at www.wvdnr.gov ).

Wildlife biologists will analyze data from the combined 2009 deer seasons (i.e. buck, antlerless, archery and muzzleloader) before making appropriate recommendations for next year’s deer seasons. These recommendations will be available for public review at 12 regulations meetings scheduled for March 15 and 16, 2010 (see current 2009-10 Hunting and Trapping Regulations Summary page 5 or visit the DNR Web site at www.wvdnr.gov for scheduled times and places).

White-tailed deer are a product of the environment. Too many deer on a given tract of land will result in loss of body weight, reduction in antler development, decrease in reproduction and sometimes death due to starvation during winter months. Over time, these declines in herd condition will actually reduce the deer herd’s resiliency to poor mast conditions and harsh winter weather.

Jezioro reminds hunters that the traditional six-day antlerless deer season in selected counties on both public and private land ends Saturday, Dec. 12. Muzzleloader deer season begins December 14 and runs through Dec. 19. The Youth and Class Q/QQ antlerless deer season will be open on Saturday and Monday, Dec. 26 and 28 in any county with a firearms deer season.

This will be followed by a three-day reopening of antlerless deer season (Dec. 29-31) in 45 counties or portions of counties and on selected wildlife management areas (see 2009-10 Hunting and Trapping Regulations Summary or visit the DNR Web site at www.wvdnr.gov for county and area listings).

Ohio Division of Wildlife

COLUMBUS, OH --(AmmoLand.com)- Ohio’s popular deer-gun season will run an additional weekend, Saturday and Sunday, December 19-20, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR), Division of Wildlife.

The extra weekend days were added beginning in 2006 in response to comments received from hunters for more weekend time to hunt. Deer can be hunted with a legal muzzleloader, handgun or shotgun from one half-hour before sunrise until sunset on December 19-20. Ohio’s pre-hunting season population was estimated at 650,000 white-tailed deer.

So far this season, 178,633 deer have taken. A total of 53,959 deer was killed during the first six weeks of the statewide archery season, which began September 26 and continues through February 7, 2010. The special youth season, held November 21-22, resulted in young hunters bagging 9,331 deer. Hunters checked 114,633 deer during the statewide deer-gun season, November 30 – December 6. Another 474 deer were taken during the early muzzleloader deer season held in October at Shawnee, Salt Fork and Wolf Creek state wildlife areas.

The white-tailed deer is the most popular game animal in Ohio, frequently pursued by generations of hunters. Ohio ranks 8th nationally in annual hunting-related sales and 10th in the number of jobs associated with the hunting-related industry. Each year, hunting has a $859 million economic impact in Ohio through the sale of equipment, fuel, food, lodging and more.

Ohio is divided into three deer hunting zones. After November 29, a limit of one deer may be taken in Zone A (20 counties) and two deer in Zone B (30 counties). Beginning on December 7, the bag limit is three deer in Zone C and antlerless deer permits are no longer valid. Any time a hunter is allowed to take more than one deer, they must purchase an additional permit.

Those hunting in urban units and at Division of Wildlife-authorized controlled hunts will have a six-deer bag limit, and those deer will not count against the hunter’s zone bag limit. Antlerless deer permits can be used for the entire season in urban deer units or Division of Wildlife-authorized controlled hunts. Antlerless deer permits are no longer available and must have been purchased prior to November 29.

Hunters may take only one antlered deer, regardless of zone, hunting method or season. A deer permit is required in addition to a valid Ohio hunting license. Hunter orange is required. Only deer, coyote and waterfowl can be hunted during the extra deer-gun weekend.

Donations of extra deer will be accepted through the entire deer season which ends on February 7, 2010. Hunters who give their deer to a food bank are not required to pay the processing cost as long as the deer are taken to a participating processor and funding for the effort lasts. Counties being served by this program can be found online at www.fhfh.org.

Additional hunting regulations and maps of the state’s deer zones are listed in the 2009-2010 Ohio Hunting Regulations. This free publication is available wherever hunting licenses are sold, online at wildohio.com or by calling 1-800-WILDLIFE.

Ohio hunters and birdwatchers are reminded that they will need to be aware of one another as the pursue deer and birds on this shared weekend. Hunters need to remember that there may be other people—both hunters and non-hunters— in the woods. Birders are also reminded that hunters are allowed to hunt wherever they have written permission to hunt. And, while hunters are required to wear hunter orange in the field, birders should also give consideration to wearing a hunter orange vest or hat during the deer-gun weekend.

The 2009-2010 licenses will not be printed on weatherproof paper. Sportsmen and women should protect their licenses and permits from the elements by carrying them in a protective pouch or wallet.

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 www.ohiodnr.com.

Ohio Division of Wildlife

COLUMBUS, OH --(AmmoLand.com)- Ohio hunters had near ideal weather for the opening day of deer-gun season. Hunters took 33,607 white-tailed deer on Monday, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife. The deer-gun season remains open through Sunday, December 6, and then reopens for two days on Saturday and Sunday, December 19-20

The preliminary figures from deer check stations throughout the state show a slight increase of 1.7 percent from last year’s opening day total of 33,034.

Counties reporting the highest numbers of deer checked on Monday included Tuscarawas-1,763, Harrison-1,374, Coshocton-1,353, Guernsey-1,284, Licking-1,182, Holmes-1,165, Washington-1,010, Athens-925, Ashtabula-836, and Muskingum-799.

Combining the results of Monday’s harvest with those from the early muzzleloader season, the first six weeks of archery season and the recent youth deer-gun season, a preliminary total of 97,371 deer have been killed so far this deer hunting season. That number compares to 95,074 harvested last year at this time. In all, hunters took a total of 252,017 deer during all of last year’s hunting seasons.

Approximately 420,000 hunters are expected to participate in the statewide deer-gun season. Ohio’s deer population was estimated to be 650,000 prior to the start of the fall hunting seasons.

The white-tailed deer is the most popular game animal in Ohio, frequently pursued by generations of hunters. Ohio ranks 8th nationally in annual hunting-related sales and 10th in the number of jobs associated with the hunting-related industry. Each year, hunting has a $859 million economic impact in Ohio through the sale of equipment, fuel, food, lodging and more.

Division of Wildlife Chief Dave Graham challenges all deer hunters to make this year special for Ohio’s hungry by labeling Saturday, December 5, as Farmers and Hunters Feeding the Hungry (FHFH) Day. Last year, hunters showed they cared by donating nearly 220,000 meals to Ohioans in need.

Hunters who give their deer to a food bank are not required to pay the processing cost as long as the deer are taken to a participating processor and funding for the effort lasts. Counties being served by this program can be found online at www.fhfh.org.

Hunters who wish to share their success can submit a photo of themselves and the deer they killed this year for publication on the Division of Wildlife’s Web page.

A detailed listing of deer-hunting rules is contained in the 2009-2010 Ohio Hunting Regulations, available wherever licenses are sold, and online at wildohio.com.

The 2009-2010 licenses will not be printed on weatherproof paper. Sportsmen and women should protect their licenses and permits from the elements by carrying them in a protective pouch or wallet.

NOTE: The following is a list of the number of deer checked and tagged by hunters during the first day of deer-gun hunting season. The number taken during the 2008 season is marked in ( ): 2009 (2008)

Adams –481 (377); Allen –118 (130); Ashland –619 (577); Ashtabula –836 (1,089); Athens –925 (828); Auglaize –80 (102); Belmont –640 (612); Brown –240 (336); Butler –89 (55); Carroll –691 (625); Champaign –232 (193); Clark –87 (67); Clermont –297 (236); Clinton –186 (109); Columbiana –628 (722); Coshocton –1,353(1,307); Crawford –288 (265); Cuyahoga –25 (32); Darke –55(50); Defiance –293 (323); Delaware –179 (188); Erie –112 (82); Fairfield –609 (452); Fayette –74 (50); Franklin –68 (81); Fulton –123 (150); Gallia –455 (501); Geauga –188 (326); Greene –63 (54); Guernsey –1,284 (1,202); Hamilton –72 (40); Hancock –153 (83); Hardin –169 (133); Harrison –1,374 (1,286); Henry –88 (108); Highland –543 (409); Hocking –793 (683); Holmes –1,165 (1,088); Huron –367 (288); Jackson –776 (648); Jefferson –767 (771); Knox –761 (954); Lake –63 (113); Lawrence –320 (343); Licking –1,182 (1,134); Logan –255 (169); Lorain –210 (165); Lucas –76 (75); Madison –42 (53); Mahoning –238 (198); Marion –96 (74); Medina –146 (158); Meigs –569 (702); Mercer –79 (63); Miami –35 (38); Monroe –670 (672); Montgomery –37 (27); Morgan –579 (556); Morrow –260 (308); Muskingum –799 (670); Noble –745 (645); Ottawa –12 (9); Paulding –140 (139); Perry –631 (580); Pickaway –188 (161); Pike –300 (261); Portage –122 (164); Preble –39 (43); Putnam –196 (157); Richland –404 (364); Ross –638 (597); Sandusky –67 (54); Scioto –249 (380); Seneca –255 (242); Shelby –141 (123); Stark –487 (440); Summit –62 (79); Trumbull –572 (657); Tuscarawas –1,763 (1,821); Union –125 (125); Van Wert –55 (74); Vinton –548 (497); Warren –117 (102); Washington –1,010 (1,456); Wayne –220 (186); Williams –253 (264); Wood –99 (108); Wyandot –167 (176); TOTAL: 33,607 (33,034)

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

New Jersey Fish and Game

Trenton, NJ --(AmmoLand.com)- The NJ DEP Division of Fish and Wildlife is reminding hunters that the Six-day Firearm Deer Season opens one-half hour before sunrise on Monday, December 7. This state-wide season allows licensed hunters to harvest two antlered deer.

New this year will be legal use of a bow (recurve, compound or crossbow) during the Six-day Firearm Season.

Hunters wishing to use a bow must have both a firearm and, archery license in possession, or an All-around License.

Antlered deer taken during the Six-day Firearm Season with a bow must be tagged with the Six-day Firearm Season Transportation Tag.

For more information on the upcoming season visit http://www.njfishandwildlife.com/news/2009/sixday09.htm on the division’s website.

Nebraska Game and Parks Commission

LINCOLN, Neb. –-(AmmoLand.com)- Excellent deer hunting opportunities remain in Nebraska as the muzzleloader season arrives, according to the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission. The season runs Dec. 1-31.

The recently completed firearm season proved that plenty of deer and large bucks are available. Those firearm hunters were hampered somewhat by the lagging corn harvest, but conditions are improving for December as that harvest continues.

A muzzleloader permit is valid statewide and has a bag limit of one deer of either sex and one antlerless white-tailed deer. The limit may be filled in any order.

“We encourage hunters to take antlerless female white-tailed deer,” said Kit Hams, big game program manager with the Commission. “The use of binoculars or scopes will help hunters avoid buck fawns, which often are more visible than adult does or doe fawns. By this time of year, the small antler ‘buttons’ are 1-2 inches in length and visible.”

There is an unlimited number of muzzleloader permits available again this year. Last year, 15,199 permits sold and 6,946 deer were taken.

Now that the firearm season has closed, hunters again have the option of checking deer electronically or at a check station. Hunters may check electronically by going to NEdeercheck.com or calling toll-free (800) 405-7700 at any time.

The Deer Exchange remains available, too. Donors and recipients of venison may register for free at ngpc.state.ne.us/hunting/programs/deerexchange/.

Open Fields and Waters Program lands, popular with firearm hunters, are a good option for muzzleloader hunters. This program has more than 36,000 acres of private land available for public walk-in hunting access. Check the 2009 Nebraska Public Access Atlas for tracts in each county.

Permits may be purchased at Commission permitting offices and at OutdoorNebraska.org. A habitat stamp is required of all deer hunters, except residents age 15 or younger.

For more information on deer hunting, visit OutdoorNebraska.org or read the 2009 Nebraska Big Game Guide.

Wisconsin DNR

MADISON, WI –-(AmmoLand.com)- DNR Secretary Matt Frank visited several registration stations along the I-39, Saturday morning.

“At the stations I visited it was really gratifying seeing our next generation of hunters taking their place,” said Frank. “I especially enjoyed the chance to visit with the youngsters who brought in their first deer. Congratulations to all hunters for keeping our heritage strong. I wish them all success and an enjoyable and safe hunting experience during the remainder of the seasons.”

The department’s license sales office reported 626,404 hunters hit the woods with a license to participate in the 2009 nine-day gun deer season. The number of gun hunting licenses included a new category this year, 9,592 10- and 11-year-old hunters who for the first time were able to participate as mentored hunters under Wisconsin’s new Mentored Hunting Law.

Deer license and tag sales will continue through the hunting seasons.

The long custom of buying a license on the way to deer camp is also intact. Over 43 percent – nearly half – of all deer hunters purchased a license in the eight days preceding the gun deer opener; 82,463 licenses were sold on Friday.

At peak, which occurred at 5:30 p.m. on Friday, the DNR’s online licensing system – known as ALIS – was processing 212 transactions per minute

Nearly 270,000 licenses were issued in the eight days preceding the season opener.

Of the hunters hitting the woods on Saturday:

• 592,287 (95 percent) were residents and 34,117 were nonresidents;
• More than 79,000 youth hunters under 18 years old participated in this year’s hunt, representing 13 percent of the total number of deer hunters;
• More than 54,000 hunters were age 65 or older, and over 191,000 (31 percent) are under 30-years-old;
• Females represent 8.5 percent of the total hunters, and 20 percent of new 10- and 11-year-old hunters;
• Hunters throughout the U.S. and several foreign countries purchased a Wisconsin gun deer license. The highest number of nonresident hunters came from Minnesota (16,413),
• Illinois (8,568), Michigan (1,078), and Florida (898);
• The most deer licenses were sold in Dane County (29,024), with Brown, Washington,
• Marathon and Waukesha counties following;
• More than 170,000 antlerless deer tags have been sold this year.

Wisconsin Conservation Congress delegates also shared their experiences over the weekend.

Scott McCauley, Conservation Congress delegate from Wood County was hunting in Waupaca County and noted that for his party opening day was off to a promising start.

“Last year we had our best season ever taking nine deer. This year is looking even better with five people taking three deer and the season is just starting,” said McCauley.

Mike Riggle, Conservation Congress delegate from Taylor County called in, “Seven in camp now, including 11-year-old Austin Riggle hunting for his first time as a mentored hunter. Austin didn’t see anything but enjoyed being in camp and will be out again having a good time.”

Wisconsin DNR

MADISON, WI –-(AmmoLand.com)- Warm temperatures and heavy fog in many areas greeted hunters on the opening weekend of Wisconsin’s 158th gun deer hunt. Hunters participating in the traditional November 9-day gun deer hunt registered a preliminary tally of 100,330 deer over the first two days of the hunt.

The 2009 preliminary count compares to a similar opening weekend count of 133,828 from 2008. Buck harvest statewide in 2009 was 49,583 (52,477 in 2008) and antlerless harvest was 50,478 (81,351 in 2008)

“We want to remind folks that these preliminary numbers come from a staff call-around to deer registrations stations this morning,” said Tom Hauge DNR’s wildlife management director. “The final opening weekend tally will likely be somewhat larger, when all the registration stubs are entered into the data base over the next couple of months.”

A breakdown of the harvest by DNR Region and county is available in portable document format.

This fall, wildlife staff indicated that they expected lower total harvest numbers – especially antlerless deer harvest numbers – due to several factors including lower deer numbers in many areas of the state, fewer herd control units and no earn-a-buck units outside of the chronic wasting disease management zone.

“There was pretty dense fog until 10-11:00 a.m. opening morning,” reported Kris Belling DNR West Central Region wildlife expert. “The fog coupled with wet conditions, made it hard to hear anything coming and definitely impacted the morning hunt. Hunters I talked to (in West Central Region) enjoyed the mild temperatures and it was comfortable enough for them to stay out hunting, and that seems to have offset the original difficulties due to the fog. Overall, it was just a nice week-end to be out. Lots of interest in getting the deer butchered quickly.”

However, the weather improved later in the day.

“Those deer are still out there,” said Keith Warnke, DNR big game ecologist. “Many folks take this week off leading up to the Thanksgiving holiday and given the slower start to the season, there should continue to be good opportunity out there in many areas. There is still a lot of hunting left.”

As of early Monday afternoon, 571 “opening weekend” hunting trip reports have been recorded on the department’s new online reporting database. Hunters reported seeing 796 total deer on those trips which translates to an average of 1.39 deer per trip. These numbers will also likely change as trip reports were still coming in at a rapid pace. Hunters wish to report their hunting experiences can do so from the DNR website.

Ohio Division of Wildlife

COLUMBUS, OH --(AmmoLand.com)- Young hunters across Ohio again enjoyed success during the seventh annual Youth Deer-Gun Season, held Saturday and Sunday, November 21-22. Hunters age 17 and under killed 9,331 deer during the special two-day season, aimed at providing a high-quality hunting experience for younger Ohioans. Last year’s youth hunt saw a deer harvest of 9,852.

The Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife estimated 40,000 young hunters took to the state’s fields and forests during the two-day season.

Counties reporting the greatest number of deer killed were Tuscarawas-445, Washington-362, Harrison-351, Holmes-279, Guernsey-276, Knox-265, Licking-240, Coshocton-212, Athens-209, and Ross-206.

The youth deer-gun season was open in all 88 counties. All participants were required to wear hunter orange, possess a valid Ohio hunting license and special deer permit, and be accompanied by a non-hunting adult.

The youth deer-gun season is one of four special youth only hunting seasons designed to provide a safe and excellent early hunting experience for young hunters. Special days are also set aside for upland game, wild turkey and waterfowl hunting opportunities.

Youngsters and all other hunters will have a chance at taking a whitetail during next week’s statewide deer-gun season, which runs Monday through Sunday, November 30-December 6.

Details on youth hunting opportunities and all Ohio deer hunting seasons can be found in the 2009-2010 Ohio Hunting Regulations, available where licenses are sold. It can also be viewed online at wildohio.com.

NOTE: Following is a list of deer checked and tagged by young hunters during the two-day youth deer-gun season. Numbers for 2008 are listed in parentheses ( ).

Adams –111(111); Allen –58 (57); Ashland –170 (204); Ashtabula –117 (147); Athens –209(209); Auglaize –53 (46); Belmont –182(179); Brown –102 (183); Butler –50(50); Carroll –135 (146); Champaign –98 (102); Clark –45 (53); Clermont –118 (114); Clinton –67 (45); Columbiana –154 (204); Coshocton –212 (193); Crawford –89 (75); Cuyahoga –6 (5); Darke –51 (34); Defiance –70 (78); Delaware –54(53); Erie –28 (33); Fairfield –184 (176); Fayette –42 (25); Franklin –35 (23); Fulton –25 (44); Gallia –94 (90); Geauga –38 (48); Greene –20(13); Guernsey –276 (339); Hamilton –25 (34); Hancock –64 (40); Hardin –65 (48); Harrison –351 (353); Henry –32 (33); Highland –158(140); Hocking –201(138); Holmes –279 (422); Huron –105 (132); Jackson –173 (168); Jefferson –189 (213); Knox –265 (303); Lake –14 (20); Lawrence –131 (143); Licking –240 (346); Logan –100 (105); Lorain –61 (89); Lucas –10 (23); Madison –28 (29); Mahoning –52 (46); Marion –22 (19); Medina –72 (65); Meigs –159 (151); Mercer –31 (54); Miami –15 (14); Monroe –202 (184); Montgomery –21 (27); Morgan –135 (123); Morrow –91 (75); Muskingum –198 (273); Noble –172 (205); Ottawa –6 (7); Paulding –70 (53); Perry –189 (197); Pickaway –50 (44); Pike –67 (58); Portage –34 (35); Preble –25 (29); Putnam –107 (101); Richland –109 (143); Ross –206(188); Sandusky –18 (26); Scioto –148 (138); Seneca –94 (97); Shelby –79 (97); Stark –123 (115); Summit-26 (33); Trumbull –96 (115); Tuscarawas –445 (454); Union -65 (55); Van Wert –43 (51); Vinton –130 (87); Warren –56(60); Washington –362 (296); Wayne –50 (89); Williams –68 (79); Wood –59 (44); Wyandot –52 (67); Total –9,331 (9,852)

Wisconsin DNR

MADISON, Wisconsin – -(AmmoLand.com)- Early dense fog dampened some areas of the state on the opening day of Wisconsin’s 2009 nine-day gun deer season, but hunters enjoyed balmy weather throughout much of the day that some thought was just a little too good.

In some areas the fog didn’t burn off until mid morning. But the remainder of the day was calm, with temperatures in the 50s. One of the questions hunters were asked this year on the registration stub for the first time was to rate the weather. Department of Natural Resources Wildlife Supervisor Tim Lizotte said some hunters were giving conditions a 10 to 11 on a 10-point scale.

Alan Crossley, DNR wildlife biologist also working the registration station, said “it’s kind of funny. If hunters shot a nice buck, they tended to rate the weather as a “10.”

Wildlife managers at registration stations, especially in former earn-a-buck areas, were reporting a large percentage of older bucks, many with nice antler development. In many areas, deer appeared to still be in rut, or their mating season, in many areas. Tom Hauge, director of the DNR Wildlife Management program, was able to watch two bucks sparring for about 10 minutes. At another station, a 7-year old buck was registered with antlers badly damaged from recent sparring.

Jeff Pritzl, DNR wildlife expert aging deer in Northeast Region, recounted his favorite story of the morning: “A young boy on his first nine-day hunt shot a nine-point, 185-pound buck. The boy said his father had taught him that if he saw a doe that kept looking back, don’t shoot, because a buck was following her. Sure enough, he saw a doe that kept looking back, he waited and the buck came into view. Though the young hunter landed a good shot, the buck moved away and he and his dad spent the next two hours searching the wetland. The dad found the deer, and called his son, teary with pride.”

DNR Secretary Matt Frank, visiting with hunters registering deer in Montello, Westfield, Wautoma and Portage this morning, noted hunters were in good spirits, including one young girl registering her first buck at Wautoma.

“This is a great Wisconsin tradition, and it’s just plain fun visiting with hunters and hearing their stories. Tomorrow, I will be out hunting myself. DNR is committed to maintaining a healthy deer herd so that we can enjoy deer hunting for many generations to come.”

Jim Shurts, Wisconsin Conservation Congress delegate chair from Dane County, registered his deer this morning. He was hunting in Columbia County east of Wyocena and heard more shooting than in the last few years. In one of those rare outdoors experiences, Shurts said a large flock of turkeys roosting near him gobbled loudly every time they heard a shot.

License Sales

Wisconsin DNR

Wisconsin – -(AmmoLand.com)- By late afternoon Saturday, DNR Hunter Safety Administrator Tim Lawhern had been notified of two shooting incidents, both non-fatal.

A male hunter in Grant County was shot just below the buttocks, reportedly when a nearby hunter was unloading his gun. A hunter in Green County received a shotgun wound to the thigh; it was not self-inflicted. No other details were available at time of publishing.

Lawhern notes that every shooting incident can be traced back to hunters failing to follow the four basic firearm rules.

“Every hunter – no matter the level of experience or years in the woods – should have these rules so engrained they are automatic,” Lawhern said. “Review these and review them with your hunting friends. It’s in your best interest and theirs. Make these rules your habits.”

The four rules are:

• Treat every firearm as if it is loaded should be a habit.
• Always point the muzzle in a safe direction at all times.
• Be certain of your target and what is beyond it.
• Keep your finger outside the trigger guard until ready to shoot.

Wardens wrote citations on opening day for illegal baiting, loaded firearms in vehicles and other violations, but no serious incidents were reported. A hunter in Clark County was cited after he cut down 25 pine trees on county property to improve a “shooting lane.” Another hunter was arrested and booked into jail for carrying a firearm while legally intoxicated.

Detailed Regional Reports are available on the Wisconsin DNR Web site.

Pennsylvania Game Commission

HARRISBURG, PA –-(AmmoLand.com)- The Pennsylvania Game Commission counts on hunters to provide information on the deer they harvest.

And, to make reporting a deer harvest easier, the Game Commission reminds hunters that they can now file their harvest reports through the agency’s new online system.

To report a deer harvest online, go to the Game Commission’s website (www.pgc.state.pa.us), click on the blue box in the upper right-hand corner of the website, select “Harvest Reporting,” then click on the “Start Here” button at the bottom of the page, choose the method of validating license information, and click on the checkbox for the harvest tag being reported.

A series of options will appear for a hunter to report a harvest. After filling in the harvest information, click on the “Continue” button to review the report and then hit the “Submit” button to complete the report. Failing to hit the “Submit” button will result in a harvest report not being completed.

“Hunters may report one or more harvests in a single session,” Roe said. “Responses to all harvest questions are required.”

Roe noted that hunters still have the option to file a harvest report postcard, which are included as tear-out sheets in the annual digest they received when they purchased their licenses.

“We certainly are encouraging hunters to use the online reporting system, which will ensure that their harvest is recorded and save the Game Commission money on postage and data entry costs,” Roe said. “Either way, the more important point is that all hunters who harvest a deer report it to the agency.”

Pennsylvania Game Commission

HARRISBURG, PA –-(AmmoLand.com)- The state’s biggest draw for hunters is set to begin the Monday after Thanksgiving, according to Pennsylvania Game Commission Executive Director Carl G. Roe, when the two-week firearms deer season opens.

“Fluorescent orange and camouflage clothing soon will be in fashion across the Commonwealth, and cars parked on the shoulders of roads that cut through forested areas or farming communities will be a common sight,” Roe said. “Deer season has a dramatic effect on the Pennsylvania; it provides hundreds of thousands of hunters a chance to put venison in the freezer, as well as stimulates a multi-million dollar economic surge that local businesses rely on.

“Deer season is the most important method that the Game Commission has been using for more than a century to manage Pennsylvania’s whitetails. The efforts of hunters are far-reaching, and they help to keep deer populations in check and enable the agency to meet deer management goals that benefit almost everyone who resides, visits or travels through this state.”

The Game Commission manages deer for a healthy and productive deer herd that provides recreational opportunities within acceptable ecological impacts and human conflicts. It’s a never-ending job, and one that will always be influenced by Pennsylvania’s changing landscape and the varying viewpoints of its residents. But, the agency is committed to providing sound deer management.

Dr. Christopher Rosenberry, Game Commission Deer Management Section supervisor, noted that hunters will need to make sure that they have done their pre-season scouting, as fall food conditions will impact deer movements.

“Deer will respond to food availability and hunter pressure, both of which can vary from year to year, and from one area to another,” Rosenberry said. “Our fall food survey suggests that almost all hard and soft mast species produced well this year. As a result, wildlife may be more widespread in forested areas. As always, pre-season scouting can improve a hunter’s chance for success this year.”

For the second year, deer season will open with a five-day, antlered deer-only season in Wildlife Management Units (WMUs) 2D, 2G, 3C and 4B, from Nov. 30-Dec. 4. It is followed immediately in these four WMUs by seven days of concurrent, antlered and antlerless deer hunting beginning Dec. 5 and continuing through Dec.12. The rest of the state follows the two-week concurrent, antlered and antlerless season – Nov. 30-Dec. 12 – that has been in place since 2001.

The changes to these four WMUs are being studied by Game Commission biologists and the Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit at Penn State University to learn more about the relationship between antlerless allocations and season length.

The Game Commission will use a four-year study to determine the impact and effectiveness of the five-day antlered/seven-day concurrent season before additional WMUs may be considered for this season configuration. It also will assess hunter satisfaction with the modified season structure in the four WMUs.

Hunters must wear 250 square inches of fluorescent orange material on the head, chest and back combined at all times while afield during the seasons. They also are advised that it’s illegal to hunt, chase or disturb deer within 150 yards of any occupied building without the occupant’s permission if they are using a firearm, or 50 yards if they are using a bow or crossbow.

All hunters who take a deer must fill out their harvest tag and attach it to the deer’s ear before moving the carcass. The tag can be secured to the base of the ear with a string drawn very tightly, if the hunter plans to have the deer mounted. Cutting a slit in the ear to attach the tag will require additional work by a taxidermist.

Deer hunters in certain Wildlife Management Units with an unused bear license also are reminded they may take a bear in the state’s extended black bear season. Bear licenses must be purchased prior to Nov. 30 to participate in these hunts. For more information, including hours and locations for bear check stations during the extended season, please see the bear section of the 2009-10 Digest on pages 34-36.

Ohio Division of Wildlife

COLUMBUS, OH --(AmmoLand.com)- Ohio’s popular deer-gun season opens statewide on Monday, November 30, offering hunters a full week to harvest a whitetail. The upcoming season will again include an extra weekend of gun hunting on December 19-20, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife.

Deer can be hunted with a legal muzzleloader, handgun or shotgun from one half-hour before sunrise to sunset through December 6 and December 19-20. With a pre-hunting season population estimate of 650,000 white-tailed deer, the ODNR Division of Wildlife anticipates 115,000 to 125,000 deer will be killed during the nine-day season. Approximately 420,000 hunters are expected to participate in this year’s season, including many out-of-state hunters.

The white-tailed deer is the most popular game animal in Ohio, frequently pursued by generations of hunters. Ohio ranks 8th nationally in annual hunting-related sales and 10th in the number of jobs associated with the hunting-related industry. Each year, hunting has a $859 million economic impact in Ohio through the sale of equipment, fuel, food, lodging and more.

Ohio is divided into three deer hunting zones. Beginning on the opening day of gun season and continuing through December 6 a limit of one deer may be taken in Zone A (20 counties) and two deer in Zone B (30 counties). A total of six deer may be harvested in eastern and southeastern Ohio’s Zone C (38 counties) through the week long gun season. The antlerless deer permit will be valid for deer-gun week only in Zone C.

Beginning on December 7, the bag limit is three deer in Zone C and antlerless deer permits are no longer valid. Any time a hunter is allowed to take more than one deer, they must purchase an additional permit.

Those hunting in urban units and at Division of Wildlife-authorized controlled hunts will have a six-deer bag limit, and those deer will not count against the hunter’s zone bag limit. Antlerless deer permits can be used for the entire season in urban deer units or Division of Wildlife-authorized controlled hunts. Antlerless deer permits must be purchased by November 29.

Hunters may take only one antlered deer, regardless of zone, hunting method or season. A deer permit is required in addition to a valid Ohio hunting license.

Hunters are encouraged to kill more does this season using the reduced-priced antlerless deer permit and donate any extra venison to organizations assisting Ohioans in need. The Division is collaborating with Farmers and Hunters Feeding the Hungry to help pay for the processing of donated venison. Hunters who donate their deer are not required to pay the processing cost as long as the deer are taken to a participating processor. Counties being served by this program can be found online at fhfh.org.

Additional hunting regulations and maps of the state’s deer zones are contained in the 2009-2010 Ohio Hunting & Trapping Regulations. This free publication is available wherever hunting licenses are sold, online at wildohio.com or by calling 1-800-WILDLIFE.

The 2009-2010 licenses will not be printed on weatherproof paper. Sportsmen and women should protect their licenses and permits from the elements by carrying them in a protective pouch or wallet.

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 www.ohiodnr.com.

Nebraska Game and Parks Commission

LINCOLN, Neb. – -(AmmoLand.com)- Safety should be uppermost on the minds of hunters when the firearm deer season opens Nov. 14, according to the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission.

A new regulation allows turkey hunting during that deer season. Like the deer hunters, however, those turkey hunters must wear hunter orange.

Hunter Education Coordinator Mike Streeter has the following tips for safely handling firearms during the firearm deer season.

Hunting Tips:

• Treat every gun with the respect due a loaded gun.
• Control the direction of the muzzle at all times.
• Be sure the barrel and action are clear of obstructions.
• Be sure of your target and what is beyond it.
• Unload guns when not in use. Have the action open and the chamber empty, except when actually hunting. Transport guns in cases, or secure storage racks in vehicles. Handle a gun by the stock, not the barrel.
• Never point a gun at anything you do not want to shoot.
• Never climb over or under a fence, into or out of a tree or jump a ditch with a loaded gun.
• Never shoot at a flat, hard surface or water.
• Store guns and ammunition under lock and key.

The safe use of tree stands also is crucial for a successful hunt.

“A recent survey revealed that nearly 40 percent of deer hunters will fall from their stand or tree some time in their life, and 70 percent of falls occur while hunters either are climbing or descending a tree or entering or leaving the stand,” Streeter said.

He has the following tips for tree stands:

• Use a full-body harness when using a tree stand, including ascending, descending and occupying the stand.
• Only use equipment that is in good condition.
• Avoid hunting from heights above 15 feet.
• Maintain a short tether between yourself and the tree. Allow only enough slack for you to turn and shoot. The tether should be tight when you are seated on your stand.
• Use a haul line to raise and lower your equipment.
• Never use a homemade tree stand.
• Attach yourself to the tree starting when you are on the ground.

Nebraska Game and Parks Commission

LINCOLN, Neb. – -(AmmoLand.com)- Many opportunities await Nebraska hunters as the opening of the November firearm deer season nears, according to the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission.

Large numbers of deer are in the field and plenty of permits remain available for this season. A new access program is available, opening thousands of acres to walk-in hunting. A popular program that allows deer meat to be distributed to those who want it is in its second year.

The upcoming firearm season runs Nov. 14-22. One major change affects deer hunters; a new regulation this year allows turkey hunting during that season. Like the deer hunters, those turkey hunters must wear hunter orange.

The following are key reminders concerning the season:

• Checking – Deer must be checked at manual check stations. Electronic checking is not available for the firearm season.
• Deer Exchange – Hunters may take advantage of this program and provide deer meat to anyone willing to accept it. Donors and recipients of meat may register for free at ngpc.state.ne.us/hunting/programs/deerexchange/. They search a database for participants in their area, and then make contact by telephone to set up the transfer of meat.
• Open Fields and Waters Program – More than 36,000 acres of private land in the first year of this pilot program are available for public walk-in hunting access. Check the 2009 Public Access Atlas for tracts in each county.
• Remaining Permits – As of Nov. 4, the remaining firearm deer permits, by unit and quantity, are: Buffalo Whitetail, 511; Calamus East, 590; Calamus West, 899; Frenchman Whitetail, 806; Keya Paha, 1,331; Loup West, 576; Pine Ridge, 1,303; Plains, 731; Platte, 100; Platte Whitetail, 1,090; Sandhills, 1,092; and Upper Platte, 651.
• The list of remaining permits may be found at OutdoorNebraska.org. Click on Licenses and Fees, then Purchase a Permit, then Remaining Permits.
• Purchasing Permits – They may be purchased at Commission permitting offices and at OutdoorNebraska.org. A habitat stamp is required of all deer hunters, except residents age 15 or younger.

Game Law Violations – Call Nebraska Wildlife Crimestoppers toll-free at (800) 742-7627 to report game violations.

More Information – Visit OutdoorNebraska.org or read the 2009 Nebraska Big Game Guide.

Ohio Division of Wildlife

COLUMBUS, OH --(AmmoLand.com)- Ohio’s youth deer-gun hunting season will be held Saturday and Sunday, November 21-22, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife.

“The youth deer-gun hunting season provides young hunters the chance to experience the challenge of hunting and enjoy the outdoors with their families,” said David M. Graham, chief of the division.

Young hunters killed 9,852 deer during last year’s two-day season. The Division of Wildlife anticipates more than 40,000 young hunters will participate in the upcoming hunt.

Hunters can share photos of their success in the field online by visiting wildohio.com and clicking on Photo Gallery. The photo submission process is easy and posted photos may be e-mailed to a friend.

The youth deer-gun season is open statewide to hunters 17 years old and younger. Hunters may take one deer of either sex during this season, in accordance with existing bag and deer-zone limits. Plugged shotguns, muzzleloaders, handguns and bows are legal. All participants must wear hunter orange, possess a valid Ohio hunting license and a $12 youth-deer permit, and must be accompanied by a non-hunting adult in the field.

All other regularly scheduled hunting seasons will continue during the two-day youth season. However, other hunters, including deer-archery hunters, are required to wear hunter orange during this period.

This year, Ohio’s deer-gun season runs November 30 through December 6, and the weekend of December 19-20. Details regarding Ohio’s various hunting seasons, including those exclusively for young hunters, can be found in the 2009-10 Ohio Hunting Regulations or by visiting wildohio.com.

Youth hunters that want to donate venison to the needy can do so at no cost. The Division of Wildlife is collaborating with Farmers and Hunters Feeding the Hungry (FHFH) to help pay for the processing of donated venison. All hunters who donate their deer to a food bank are not required to pay the processing cost as long as funding for the effort lasts. More information about this program can be found online at www.fhfh.org

The 2009-2010 licenses will not be printed on weatherproof paper. Sportsmen and women should protect their licenses and permits from the elements by carrying them in a protective pouch or wallet.

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 www.ohiodnr.com.

West Virginia DNR

SOUTH CHARLESTON, W.Va. – -(AmmoLand.com)- The small game hunting seasons in West Virginia began Oct. 10 with the opening of squirrel season.

“Squirrel season is very popular with many West Virginia sportsmen,” said Curtis Taylor, Chief of the Wildlife Resources Section of the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources (DNR).

“It is a time when hunters can participate in one of their favorite sports and also enjoy the fall beauty of the mountain state.”

• · Squirrel – The above-average hickory and walnut crop in 2008 resulted in good over-winter squirrel survival and good reproduction in 2009. A recent mast survey conducted by DNR indicates that statewide, oak, hickory, and walnut production this summer was significantly lower than last year. Squirrels will be concentrated in areas that have mast available. The daily bag limit for squirrels is six.
• · Ruffed Grouse – The ruffed grouse season opened Oct. 17 and closes Feb. 28, 2010. Brood counts for ruffed grouse were higher in the mountains and southern regions of the state when compared to 2008 brood numbers. Unfortunately, they were lower in the Eastern Panhandle, central and northern regions. Grouse hunters should look for areas that provide ample cover and soft mast species such as grape, hawthorn, dogwood and greenbrier. Mast survey results indicate that these species did not produce as well this summer as in 2008. The daily bag limit for grouse is four.
• · Raccoon – Hunting season for raccoons opened Oct. 17and will continue through Feb. 28, 2010. Favorable mast conditions in recent years have allowed raccoon populations to increase. Food sources are not as plentiful this year as in recent seasons. However, hunters and their hounds should still have a very successful season. Raccoon hunters are reminded that the daily bag limit is four.
• · Cottontail rabbit and other small game species – Opening day of cottontail rabbit season is Nov. 7. Rabbit populations are expected to be higher than last year. Old fields and brushy pastures are the best habitat types in which to pursue cottontails. Snowshoe hare, bobwhite quail, bobcat, red fox and gray fox hunting seasons also open Nov. 7. Hunters should be aware of daily bag limits and season possession limits for each species.
• · Trapping seasons – Nov. 7 also marks the opening of trapping season for fur bearing animals in West Virginia. Populations of beaver, bobcat, fox, mink and raccoon are good, and trappers should be very successful. Trappers are reminded that season closing dates vary for the different species.

For more complete information on season dates and bag limits, consult the 2009-2010 Hunting and Trapping Regulations brochure available at all hunting and fishing license agents, DNR District Offices and the DNR Web site, www.wvdnr.gov.

New Jersey Fish and Game

Trenton, NJ --(AmmoLand.com)- The NJ DEP Division of Fish and Wildlife reminds hunters that leftover and unclaimed Fall Turkey Permits and all Non-Lottery Deer Permits will become available for sale on Tuesday, October 13 at 10:00 a.m.

Leftover and unclaimed lottery permits for deer seasons at Fort Dix (Zone 37) and Monmouth Battlefield (Zone 64) will also become available at that time. Permits can be purchased at all license agents or online.

All lottery award winners are reminded that they have until 11:59 pm on Sunday, October 11 to claim their permit(s). Permits that remain unclaimed will become available for sale on the 13th.

For more information, including which Deer Management Zones and which Turkey Hunting Areas have permits available, dates for obtaining Antlered Deer Permits, Special Deer Areas information, and how to check on current permit availability after October 13 visit http://www.njfishandwildlife.com/news/2009/deer_turkpermits_fall09.htm on the division’s website.

About:
Division of Fish and Wildlife is a professional environmental agency dedicated to the protection, management and wise use of New Jersey’s fish and wildlife resources.

Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife

OLYMPIA, WA - Cougar hunting will be closed in six Washington counties during the statewide deer-hunting season that begins Oct. 17, according to a reminder issued today by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW).

Under a new rule approved earlier this year, no cougars may be taken during the early deer-hunting season in the six counties where a pilot hunt for cougars using dogs is scheduled to begin later this year.

The new rule delays the general cougar hunt with modern firearms until Oct. 31 in Chelan, Okanogan, Ferry, Stevens, Pend Oreille and Klickitat counties. In all other counties, the modern-firearms season for cougar will begin Oct. 17, along with early deer seasons.

Donny Martorello, carnivore manager for WDFW, said delaying the general cougar hunt in the six affected counties is designed to help biologists evaluate the pros and cons of using dogs in hunts designed to manage the state’s cougar population.

“Deer hunters take cougars under different circumstances than hunters specifically pursuing cougars with the use of dogs,” Martorello said. “We need clear information on the effects of those strategies on the cougar population as we develop future hunting seasons.”

Martorello said the department is taking extra steps to inform hunters of the new rules – including direct email communications with those who have hunted for cougars during deer season in any of the six affected counties.

“This is the first time in a dozen years that the cougar season hasn’t overlapped with the deer season in those counties, so it’s a big change,” he said. “We want to do everything we can to make sure hunters know about it.”

The pilot hunt for cougars with the use of dogs is scheduled to run from Dec. 19 through March 31 in all six counties affected by the new rule.

Information about all of this year’s big-game hunting seasons is available in WDFW’s Big Game Hunting Seasons and Regulations pamphlet, available online at http://wdfw.wa.gov/wlm/game/hunter/hunter.htm .

Georgia Department of Natural Resources

SOCIAL CIRCLE, Ga --(AmmoLand.com)- It is finally that time of the year again for Georgia hunters. Firearms deer season opens Saturday, Oct. 17 and lasts through Jan. 1 in the Northern Zone and in the Southern Zone, through Jan. 15.

“Regulated hunting is the most cost effective and efficient means of managing the deer herd,” says John Bowers, assistant chief of Game Management for the Wildlife Resources Division.

“In fact, regulated deer hunting has successfully reduced the statewide deer population from 1.4 million in the 1990s to close to one million today. Georgia’s deer season and regulations provide flexibility to landowners and deer managers to meet their individual management objectives.”

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 ladies-only hunts and adult/child 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 2008-2009 firearms deer season, nearly 289,000 licensed hunters harvested over 320,000 deer in Georgia.

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).

A valid hunting license is required to hunt deer during firearms season, as is a big game license and a deer harvest record. In most cases, a separate WMA license is required to hunt on a WMA. All deer hunters must wear at least 500 square-inches of fluorescent orange above the waist to legally hunt during firearms season, except in areas designated archery-only.

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 .