300,000 Ohio bowhunters expected to try for deer – toledoblade.com

Some 300,000 bowhunters, representing more than half of all Ohioans who hunt deer, are expected to participate in the statewide archery deer-hunting season, which opens Saturday for a four-month run.

The state’s deer managers are not necessarily forecasting another record bag this year, but it is altogether possible as seasons, bag limits, and permits remain liberal.

During last year’s four-month archery season, bowhunters killed 85,856 deer, an increase of 9 percent from the previous year. Crossbow hunters took a record 46,480 of that number and longbow hunters took a record 39,376. Overall, archers accounted for nearly 34 percent of 252,017 deer taken during Ohio’s combined archery, muzzleloader, and gun seasons.

Licking County led the state in both the vertical bow and crossbow harvest. Coshocton, Tuscarawas, Ashtabula, and Holmes rounded out the top five counties in crossbow harvest, and Coshocton, Tuscarawas, Knox, and Holmes made up the list of top five counties in vertical-bow harvest.

Again this year, hunters who purchase an Ohio hunting license and $24 deer permit will be eligible to buy the $15 antlerless-deer permit, which is valid Sept. 26 through Nov. 29. The $15 antlerless-deer permit will be valid through Dec. 6 in Zone C only. The $15 permit may be purchased only until Nov. 29.

“There is no doubt that progress toward reducing the statewide deer herd is being made,” said Mike Tonkovich, deer biologist for the Ohio Division of Wildlife.

“Bowhunters participating in our annual statewide survey have reported seeing fewer total deer from their stands for the past two years. Work remains, but there is certainly good reason to thank Ohio’s hunters for their hard work and continued support of our deer program.”

This fall’s preseason statewide deer population is estimated at 650,000, down 50,000 from a year ago. More larger bucks also seem to be available. But select regions, especially in the southeast and in urban zones, still are considered to be deer-heavy.

Ohio hunters again are encouraged to take more does using the $15 permit and to donate any extra venison to the needy. The state is collaborating with Farmers and Hunters Feeding the Hungry to help pay for the processing of donated venison.

While funds for the effort last, hunters who donate deer to a food bank are not required to pay the processing cost. More information about this program can be found online at fhfh.org.

After Nov. 29, archery hunters must use a $24 deer permit for antlerless deer. Using the $15 antlerless deer permit, hunters can take one additional antlerless deer in Zone A, up to two additional in Zone B, and up to three additional in Zone C.

The antlerless-deer permits will also be valid for Division of Wildlife controlled deer hunts and for hunting deer in urban areas.

This year’s statewide archery season remains open through Feb. 7, including during the week of gun season for deer, Nov. 30 through Dec. 6.

Gun hunters will be able to enjoy an additional weekend of deer hunting Dec. 19 and 20. Archers may hunt one half-hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset, except during the statewide gun, youth, and muzzleloader seasons when they are one-half hour before sunrise to sunset.

Archers hunting during the statewide gun, youth or muzzleloader seasons must meet the hunter orange requirements of those seasons.

To hunt deer in Ohio, hunters must possess a deer permit in addition to a valid hunting license. State law allows hunters to take only one antlered buck a year, regardless of the type of deer season, deer permit, or weapon used.

The 2009-2010 hunting licenses are not printed on weatherproof paper. Hunters are advised to protect licenses and permits by carrying them in protective pouches or wallets.

A detailed listing of deer hunting rules is contained in the digest, 2009-2010 Ohio Hunting Regulations, which is available where licenses are sold. It also may be viewed online at wildohio.com.

via toledoblade.com –.

Michael Waddell on Hunting Techniques – West Virginia Outdoors News

Columbus, Georgia

Chris Lawrence

He’s one of the best known names in the hunting industry today and Michael Waddell says while practice with your bow is important, quality is better than quantity.

“I think a lot of people think just practice, practice, practice with a bow and arrow makes perfect. I’m a little bit in disagreement with that,” said Waddell during a recent edition of West Virginia Outdoors.

Waddell is the host of television’s Bone Collector Series. He says his time on the road keeps him far too busy to get very many opportunities in front of a 3-D target. Therefore, when he is able to get in a few shots, he tried to make them count.

“I might now have but 20-minutes on a Saturday, so I try to get good solid practice,” said Waddell. “Even if I only shoot ten arrows I try to make sure that my form and my habits in that small time frame are as efficient and as good as I can.”

Waddell adds there’s a difference in shooting 3-D targets and actually drawing down on a live whitetail in the woods.

“You know the deer’s 25-yards, you practiced all summer and you ask yourself, ‘How did I shoot over that deer?’ or ‘How did I hit him that high?’” explained Waddell. “Video has proved deer react, so I get in the habit of holding heart to top of the heart with my pin once I’ve got an accurate distance. Very rarely do I shoot one in the heart, I usually shoot them through the double lung.”

Deer almost always react to the “thwack” sound created when you let go of the bow. Typically a deer will drop into an alert, crouched position. Waddell says the number one mistake hunters make is failing to aim low while hunting and compensate for that immediate drop.  Click link below for full story!

via West Virginia Outdoors News.

Archers OK For Hunting On Sundays – Hunterdon County Democrat

by Hunterdon County Democrat

Saturday May 09, 2009, 9:20 AM

Legislation permitting deer hunting with a bow and arrow on Sundays during deer hunting season was signed into law Monday by Gov. Corzine.

The law allows deer hunting with bow and arrow on Sundays during any bow and arrow hunting season for deer prescribed by the state Fish and Game Code, provided the hunting is only on a state wildlife management area or on private property. It also raises to $50 (from $20) the penalty for a violation of the Sunday hunting rules, such as hunting in prohibited areas.

Two legislators who represent part of the Hunterdon hailed the law.  Click Link Below for Full Story!

via Archers OK For Hunting On Sundays -.

Muddy Outdoors’ Archer Ladder

Well I believe I have finally found it, a ladder treestand that is actually high enough to be effective in the deer woods.  Over the years I have found most ladder treestands on the market today falling short, literally.  Most ladder treestands sold on the market today are only 12 to 15 feet high.  This is not high enough for bowhunting in my opinion.  The extra 3 feet 6 inches that the Archer Ladder offered by Muddy Outdoors makes all the difference in the world.  I presently have been using fixed position treestands with steps attached to the trees.  However the older and more out of shape I get I have found it more difficult not only to climb up to  the stand but the effort to put these stands up is increasingly difficult.  Now I have found the solution, the Archer Ladder from Muddy Outdoors.  It weighs only 50 lbs and meausres 18′ 6″ to the seat.  Maximum weight is 300 pounds and MSRP is only $129.99.  To order yours today or for more information go to www.gomuddy.com

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