US Fish and Wildlife Service reports, " Of the 13.7 million hunters that took to the field in 2011, 11.6 million hunted big game, 4.5 million hunted small game, 2.6 million hunted migratory birds, and 2.2 million other animals."
From Wisconsin:
Gun deer hunters have one final opportunity this year to harvest a deer in the chronic wasting disease management zone of south central Wisconsin. The season, called the Holiday Hunt, runs Dec. 24 through the end of the ongoing late archery hunt, Jan. 6, 2013.
Hunters can fill unused antlerless tags, unused Gun or Archery Buck Carcass Tags or CWD Deer Carcass Tags. Bonus buck rules apply. Deer can be harvested with the use of any legal firearm, bow or crossbow. Archery hunters must meet legal blaze orange requirements during this open firearm season. This includes the wearing of at least 50 percent blaze orange outer clothing above the waste. The goal of the holiday hunt is to provide additional hunting opportunity as well as herd control.
From Michigan:
Michigan's Hunting Access Program (HAP) – a long-time Department of Natural Resources offering that provides hunters with more places to hunt – had been slipping into oblivion in recent years, but seems to have found a new lease on life. In fact, the latest news is pretty encouraging.
HAP, which began in the late 1970s as a way to give hunters access to private property in southern Michigan, at one time boasted more than 790 farms totaling 188,000 acres. In 2011, HAP included just 45 farms offering some 7,400 acres.
A year later, however, after the DNR decided to reinvigorate the program, HAP includes more than 150 farms that encompass 17,032-plus acres – and all of it accessible to Michigan hunters.
To learn more about the Hunting Access Program, visit www.michigan.gov/hap. To explore hunting opportunities and land resources available through the DNR, visit www.michigan.gov/hunting or www.michigan.gov/mihunt.
Deer Hunting Information for Midwest Deer Hunters - midwestdeerhunting.blogspot.com [part of family-outdoors.com network]
Thursday, December 27, 2012
Thursday, December 20, 2012
Missouri Conservation Commission set dates for 2013 turkey- and deer-hunting seasons
Conservation Commission sets 2013 turkey, deer season dates
Early action helps hunters who must plan vacation ahead of time.
JEFFERSON CITY–The
Missouri Conservation Commission set dates for 2013 turkey- and
deer-hunting seasons at its December meeting, giving hunters
plenty of time to schedule vacation.
The Commission set the following dates for turkey hunting.
Ø
Youth season, April 6-7
Ø
Regular spring season, April 15-May 5
Ø
Fall firearms turkey season, Oct. 1-31
Bag
limits and shooting hours remain the same as last year. Additional
details, including spring managed turkey hunts and regulations for
spring turkey hunting on conservation areas, will be published
in the spring turkey hunting regulation guide in March.
The Commission set the following dates for 2013-2014 firearms deer hunting.
Ø
Urban portion, Oct. 11-14
Ø
Early youth portion, Nov. 2-3
Ø
November portion, Nov. 16-26
Ø
Antlerless portion, Nov. 27-Dec. 8
Ø
Alternative methods portion, Dec. 21-31
Ø
Late youth portion, Jan. 4-5
The
Conservation Commission also simplified requirements for tagging
harvested deer, effective June 1, 2013. Other deer-hunting regulations
will be set in the spring of 2013. Details will be published
in the fall deer and turkey hunting regulation guide.
Wednesday, December 19, 2012
Time is running out to apply for the Pure Michigan Hunt!
 |
| Seal of Michigan |
Purchase
unlimited $4 Pure Michigan Hunt applications for a chance to win the
ultimate hunting prize package! Three lucky winners will be randomly
selected mid-January 2013 and will receive an elk and bear license,
crossbow package, hunting gear and much more! The deadline to purchase
an application is Dec. 31. You can apply as many times as you like.
You can purchase a Pure Michigan Hunt application anywhere licenses are
sold or online at www.mdnr-elicense.com (Item #300 under miscellaneous).
For more information on the Pure Michigan Hunt, including a full prize list, visit www.michigan.gov/
Tuesday, December 18, 2012
Kansas COMMISSION BIG GAME PERMIT DEADLINE JANUARY 1
Permits help conservation groups raise money
PRATT – Seven numbers will be drawn by Kansas Wildlife, Parks and Tourism commissioners at their scheduled public meeting in January. The numbers will represent state conservation organizations that applied for the coveted Commission Big Game permits, which can be auctioned off to raise money for conservation projects.
Any Kansas-based nonprofit organization that actively promotes wildlife conservation and the hunting and fishing heritage is eligible to apply. Only one permit per organization will be awarded; however, individual chapters of the same organization may receive permits. A chapter or organization is eligible to receive only one Commission Big Game permit in a three-year period.
Kansas Wildlife, Parks and Tourism commissioners will conduct the drawing when they meet on January 10, 2013 at Butler County Community College in El Dorado. Applications must be received no later than Jan. 1, 2013.
To apply, organizations must submit an application that includes a copy of their 501(c)(3) nonprofit status, articles of incorporation, and mission statement, as well as the organization’s preference for an elk, antelope or deer permit. Applications can be downloaded from KDWPT’s website, www.ksoutdoors.com; enter “2013 Commission Big Game Permit” in the search box. Mail applications to Sheila Kemmis, Commission Secretary, Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism, 512 SE 25th Ave., Pratt, KS 67124.
Seven permits will be issued, which may include one elk, one antelope and up to seven deer, depending upon the preferences of the drawn organizations. Organizations that draw a permit must pay KDWPT the permit fee, and they will be issued a voucher. The final recipient must remit the voucher to KDWPT’s licensing section to receive the big game permit. Permits may be issued to resident or nonresident hunters and are valid in management units and seasons listed on the permits.
Once an organization sells a permit, not less than 85 percent of the amount is returned to KDWPT to be spent on mutually agreed-upon projects. The remaining 15 percent can be spent at the organization’s discretion. (If Kansas Farmers and Hunters Feeding the Hungry (KFHFH) receives a permit, not less than 15 percent of the funds raised is remitted to KDWPT with 85 percent staying with KFHFH.)
PRATT – Seven numbers will be drawn by Kansas Wildlife, Parks and Tourism commissioners at their scheduled public meeting in January. The numbers will represent state conservation organizations that applied for the coveted Commission Big Game permits, which can be auctioned off to raise money for conservation projects.
Any Kansas-based nonprofit organization that actively promotes wildlife conservation and the hunting and fishing heritage is eligible to apply. Only one permit per organization will be awarded; however, individual chapters of the same organization may receive permits. A chapter or organization is eligible to receive only one Commission Big Game permit in a three-year period.
Kansas Wildlife, Parks and Tourism commissioners will conduct the drawing when they meet on January 10, 2013 at Butler County Community College in El Dorado. Applications must be received no later than Jan. 1, 2013.
To apply, organizations must submit an application that includes a copy of their 501(c)(3) nonprofit status, articles of incorporation, and mission statement, as well as the organization’s preference for an elk, antelope or deer permit. Applications can be downloaded from KDWPT’s website, www.ksoutdoors.com; enter “2013 Commission Big Game Permit” in the search box. Mail applications to Sheila Kemmis, Commission Secretary, Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism, 512 SE 25th Ave., Pratt, KS 67124.
Seven permits will be issued, which may include one elk, one antelope and up to seven deer, depending upon the preferences of the drawn organizations. Organizations that draw a permit must pay KDWPT the permit fee, and they will be issued a voucher. The final recipient must remit the voucher to KDWPT’s licensing section to receive the big game permit. Permits may be issued to resident or nonresident hunters and are valid in management units and seasons listed on the permits.
Once an organization sells a permit, not less than 85 percent of the amount is returned to KDWPT to be spent on mutually agreed-upon projects. The remaining 15 percent can be spent at the organization’s discretion. (If Kansas Farmers and Hunters Feeding the Hungry (KFHFH) receives a permit, not less than 15 percent of the funds raised is remitted to KDWPT with 85 percent staying with KFHFH.)
Monday, December 17, 2012
The SD GFP Commission held their December meeting last week in Pierre.
The Commission finalized the 2013 SD Spring Turkey Seasons
and proposed the 2013 Bighorn Sheep Season. To see a summary of the
meeting or to listen to an audio recording of any of the meeting, click here. To see the Bighorn Sheep proposal, click here.
To see video recordings of information items regarding bighorn sheep, the Legacy Projects that GFP has proposed or the new snowmobile trails smartphone application, click here.
To comment on the proposed Bighorn Sheep season, click here. Please include your name and city of residence to be included into the public record.
The next GFP Commission meeting will be held at the Ft. Pierre Americinn on Jan. 10-11, beginning at 1 PM CST on Thursday, Jan 10.
To see video recordings of information items regarding bighorn sheep, the Legacy Projects that GFP has proposed or the new snowmobile trails smartphone application, click here.
To comment on the proposed Bighorn Sheep season, click here. Please include your name and city of residence to be included into the public record.
The next GFP Commission meeting will be held at the Ft. Pierre Americinn on Jan. 10-11, beginning at 1 PM CST on Thursday, Jan 10.
Sunday, December 16, 2012
North Dakota Sign Up for Winter BOW
The
North Dakota Game and Fish Department’s Becoming an Outdoors-Woman
program is accepting registrations for
a one-day winter workshop Jan. 26 at Upper Souris National Wildlife
Refuge, Lake Darling, and a three-day workshop Feb. 22, 23 and 24 at
Lake Metigoshe State Park, Bottineau.
A darkhouse spearfishing class is offered for $50 at Upper Souris.
Classes at Lake Metigoshe include winter camping, making fish decoys, snowshoeing, winter survival, darkhouse
spearfishing, and cross-country skiing. Cost of the workshop is $135.
Women interested in the workshops are encouraged to
register online at the Game and Fish website, gf.nd.gov. Those interested should sign up immediately, as each class is limited to 12 participants. Preregistration with
payment is required. Equipment will be provided.
More information is available by contacting Nancy Boldt at (701) 328-6312, Brittany Fish at (701) 527-3075, or email
ndgf@nd.gov.Saturday, December 15, 2012
Iowa’s Late Muzzleloader Deer Season Begins Dec. 17
An
expected 30,000 hunters will be participating in Iowa’s late
muzzleloader season which begins Dec. 17. Although hunters may see fewer
deer as numbers have declined in eastern and southern Iowa, the season
offers some excellent hunting opportunities.
Last
year, 55 percent of the 8,950 deer reported during the late
muzzleloader season were does. To avoid over-harvesting deer where they
hunt, hunters are encouraged to work with landowners to determine if
deer are at desirable levels, and base decisions on how they use the
remaining antlerless tags on local herd conditions.
Success
during this season depends on finding where deer are feeding and upon
the weather. Look for corn or soybean fields that have been combined but
not tilled under. Deer will search for waste grain in these areas. With
the warm weather there are still some areas with some green grass,
clover or cover crops such as winter wheat or winter rye that also would
be very attractive. Cold weather will spur the deer to feed more
heavily.
Party
hunting is not allowed in the late muzzleloader season and hunters are
required to wear blaze orange. Hunting hours are one-half hour before
sunrise to one-half hour after sunset.
Hunters
are also reminded that the statewide archery deer season resumes so
they be sharing the woods with bow hunters. About 10 percent of the bow
harvest occurs during this late portion of the season.
Deer
must be reported using the harvest reporting system by midnight the day
after the deer is tagged. Hunters’ accurately reporting their harvest
is an important component of Iowa’s deer management program and future
hunting opportunities.
Hunters may report their harvest at www.iowadnr.gov, by calling 1-800-771-4692
or at any license vendor. For hunters with internet access, reporting
the harvest online is the easiest way to register the deer. Hunters
preferring to donate their deer may do so through the Help Us Stop
Hunger (HUSH) program, which provides needed meat to Iowans through the
Food Bank of Iowa. Iowa has one of the largest programs in the nation.
North Dakota Hunter Education Classes in 2013
Individuals
interested in taking a hunter education class in 2013 should know that
most courses are offered early in the calendar year.
To register for a hunter education course, students need to
sign up online at the Game
and Fish Department’s website, gf.nd.gov. Many classes will be added over the next several weeks, and the rest will be added throughout the year as they are finalized.
To
register, click on the online services tab, and “online course
enrollment” under the hunter education heading. Classes are listed by
city, and can
also be sorted by start date. To register for a class, click on
“enroll” next to the specific class, and follow the simple instructions.
Personal information is required.
Those
who do not have access to the Internet and want to sign up for a class
can call the hunter education program in Bismarck at (701) 328-6615.
State
law requires anyone born after Dec. 31, 1961 to pass a certified hunter
education course to hunt in the state. Hunter education is mandatory
for youth who are turning 12 years old, and children can take the class
at age 11.
Monday, December 10, 2012
Michigan’s muzzleloader deer season begins
The 2012 muzzleloader season in Zone 2 (northern Lower Peninsula) runs from Dec. 14-23.
Hunters must possess appropriate licenses. Either a firearm deer license or combination deer license is required to take an antlered buck. An antlerless deer license is required to take antlerless deer. Antler point restrictions and baiting restrictions that applied in earlier seasons remain in effect.
A reminder for crossbow hunters: only hunters with a certified disability may use a crossbow or a modified bow during the muzzleloader season in the Upper Peninsula. This restriction applies to the Upper Peninsula only.
All deer hunters are required to wear hunter orange during muzzleloader season.
For information about hunting in Michigan, including regulations, season dates and bag limits, go to www.michigan.gov/hunting.
Sunday, December 9, 2012
Michigan DNR finds 2012 firearm deer season successful, encourages hunters to share harvest information
Into the first few days of the firearm season, the number of individuals that purchased a deer license was up 2 percent compared to the same point in 2011. Firearm season check station activity also increased this year in the Upper Peninsula and southern Lower Peninsula, but was about the same in the northern Lower Peninsula. Check station data indicated deer were in good condition, with improvements to key measurements compared to 2011.
“Hunters coming to deer check stations have a great opportunity to contribute data that we use to manage the resources they care so much about,” said Dr. Russ Mason, DNR Wildlife Division chief.
Each year the DNR generates preliminary estimates of the firearm deer harvest shortly after the season closes on Nov. 30. Those estimates are replaced by a rigorous assessment of harvest and participation over all deer seasons using an annual hunter mail survey.
The 2012 firearm deer season harvest appears similar or up slightly compared to the 2011 season. Experiences can differ widely within regions. DNR biologists estimate the harvest, compared to 2011, was up perhaps as much as 10 percent across the Upper Peninsula and very similar to last year in the northern Lower Peninsula. Experiences in the southern Lower Peninsula varied widely, and harvest in that region is expected to be anywhere from 5 percent lower to 5 percent higher compared to 2011.
Impacts related to epizootic hemorrhagic disease (EHD), a viral disease that affects Michigan deer but does not have human health concerns, appear to have been highly localized, but pronounced where they did occur. Data on hunter observations about the impacts of EHD collected at the check stations suggested these impacts were not widespread, but the DNR also has been getting input from unsuccessful hunters that did not have deer to bring to a check station.
“Some hunters in southern Michigan saw substantially fewer deer compared to last year,” said Brent Rudolph, DNR Wildlife Division Deer and Elk Program leader, “yet we had pretty good conditions for hunters to enjoy their time afield, and the overall attitudes of deer hunters around the state have been upbeat.”
Rudolph also stressed the importance of cooperation with the hunter harvest survey, which he called “another vital tool for Michigan’s deer program, and another way in which data provided by hunters contributes to our information base.”
Hunters that do not receive a survey in the mail but wish to provide their hunting and harvest information may visit www.michigan.gov/deer and select the Deer Harvest Reporting Form link. Hunters should only provide this information once they have completed all of their 2012 hunting activities, including seasons open through as late as Jan. 1, 2013.
Saturday, December 8, 2012
This Pure Michigan Hunt winner could be you - apply today for the hunt of a lifetime
Belcher was one of three hunters who won the Pure Michigan Hunt last year, which awarded him a prize package every hunter only dreams about. Each winner received licenses to hunt elk, bear, spring and fall turkey, antlerless deer, and first pick on opening morning at any managed waterfowl area. In addition to the licenses, the three winners received an amazing hunter’s prize package of guns and gear.
Belcher was able to bag a 12-point buck during archery season with one of his Pure Michigan Hunt prizes, a complete Darton crossbow package. On opening morning of firearm deer season, he took an eight-point buck, and for the first time in a long time, he took two bucks.
With the December elk season coming up soon, Belcher is getting ready for his elk hunt and planning to take his entire family along. As a Pure Michigan Hunt winner, he was able to hunt elk in September, but could be choosy enough to opt out of harvesting an elk during that period. Unlike a normal elk license, a Pure Michigan Hunt elk license allows winners to hunt during all hunt periods until the elk is harvested.
Do you want to be the next Pure Michigan Hunt winner? Apply now!
Grab unlimited $4 applications online www.mdnr-elicense.com or anywhere hunting licenses are sold. Applications must be purchased by Dec. 31, 2012. The three winners will be drawn, and drawing results will be posted online on Jan. 28, 2013.
This year’s prize package includes all limited-quota licenses and the following gear:
2012 Darton crossbow package
30.06 rifle from Michigan Gun Owners
12 GA shotgun from the Lake Effect Chapter of the Michigan Duck Hunters Association
Camouflage ground blind from Ameristep
Guided spring turkey hunt from East Lake Outfitters
Custom rear-window graphic from Steel Skinz Graphics
Gas cards and subscriptions from MUCC
Sitka camouflage clothing from Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation
Camouflage vest, custom box call and patch from the National Wild Turkey Federation
Rapid River knife, duck decoy and membership from Ducks Unlimited
Herd monitoring kit and membership from the Quality Deer Management Association
National and local memberships from Safari Club International
Sweatshirt and hat from the Southwest Lake Erie chapter of Waterfowl USA
Friday, December 7, 2012
Iowa Deer Harvest Nears 60,000; Second Shotgun Season Begins Dec. 8
Second shotgun season is Dec. 8-16.
The Iowa deer harvest is running about the same as last year near the end of the first season, with nearly 60,000 deer reported to the harvest reporting system.
The first shotgun season ends Dec. 5.More seasonal weather is in the forecast beginning this weekend, to welcome the estimated 65,000 hunters who will be out for the second shotgun season.
Hunter safety should be discussed as part of the hunting plan to help prevent injuries. Hunters are encouraged to wear plenty of blaze orange to increase their visibility to other hunters.
Five hunters were injured during the first shotgun season, of which, two had self-inflicted injuries. There were no fatalities.
Shooting at running deer and identifying the target and what is beyond the target remain the two primary causes of hunter injury and property damage.
Thursday, December 6, 2012
Indiana Special antlerless season from Dec. 26 - Jan. 6
This season is only in effect for counties with a bonus antlerless quota of four or more. Any legal firearm can be used in this season. Only antlerless deer can be harvested.
There are restrictions at certain DNR properties on the use of bonus antlerless licenses. This applies no matter which license you are using. Please refer to the hunting guide for details.
A bonus antlerless license, lifetime license, youth hunt/trap license, or deer license bundle can be used to harvest deer in this season. Read More
There are restrictions at certain DNR properties on the use of bonus antlerless licenses. This applies no matter which license you are using. Please refer to the hunting guide for details.
A bonus antlerless license, lifetime license, youth hunt/trap license, or deer license bundle can be used to harvest deer in this season. Read More
Monday, December 3, 2012
Nebraska: Big Game Public Meetings Scheduled for December
Hunters and landowners are invited to attend a series of public informational meetings to discuss deer issues during the month of December.
Meetings are scheduled across the state, with at least one meeting in each Game and Parks district.
During each meeting, biologists from Nebraska Game and Parks will discuss and take questions on a number of topics, including deer management, deer damage and depredation permits, antlerless harvest, trophy management and diseases. Antelope and elk issues may also be discussed.
The meeting schedule is:
Monday, Dec. 3 in McCook
Red Willow County Fairgrounds, 4-H building, 1400 W. 5th St., 7 p.m.
Thursday, Dec. 6 in Norfolk
Northeast Community College, Lifelong Learning Ctr, 801 E. Benjamin Ave., 7 p.m.
Monday, Dec. 10 in Kearney
Yanney Heritage Park, Environmental Resource Center Bldg., 2020 W. 11th, 7 p.m.
Tuesday, Dec. 11 in O'Neill
Cubby's, 204 E. U.S. Hwy. 20, 7 p.m.
Tuesday, Dec. 11 in Gretna
Ak-Sar-Ben Aquarium, 21502 W. Neb. Hwy. 31, 7 p.m.
Thursday, Dec. 13 in York
Kilgore Memorial Library, 520 Nebraska Ave., 6 p.m.
Tuesday, Dec. 18 in Chadron
Chadron State College, Student Center, Scottsbluff Room, 1000 Main St., 7 p.m.
Thursday, Dec. 20 in Bridgeport
Prairie Winds Community Center, 428 N. Main St., 7 p.m.
Meetings are scheduled across the state, with at least one meeting in each Game and Parks district.
During each meeting, biologists from Nebraska Game and Parks will discuss and take questions on a number of topics, including deer management, deer damage and depredation permits, antlerless harvest, trophy management and diseases. Antelope and elk issues may also be discussed.
The meeting schedule is:
Monday, Dec. 3 in McCook
Red Willow County Fairgrounds, 4-H building, 1400 W. 5th St., 7 p.m.
Thursday, Dec. 6 in Norfolk
Northeast Community College, Lifelong Learning Ctr, 801 E. Benjamin Ave., 7 p.m.
Monday, Dec. 10 in Kearney
Yanney Heritage Park, Environmental Resource Center Bldg., 2020 W. 11th, 7 p.m.
Tuesday, Dec. 11 in O'Neill
Cubby's, 204 E. U.S. Hwy. 20, 7 p.m.
Tuesday, Dec. 11 in Gretna
Ak-Sar-Ben Aquarium, 21502 W. Neb. Hwy. 31, 7 p.m.
Thursday, Dec. 13 in York
Kilgore Memorial Library, 520 Nebraska Ave., 6 p.m.
Tuesday, Dec. 18 in Chadron
Chadron State College, Student Center, Scottsbluff Room, 1000 Main St., 7 p.m.
Thursday, Dec. 20 in Bridgeport
Prairie Winds Community Center, 428 N. Main St., 7 p.m.
Sunday, December 2, 2012
Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Outdoor Report
There are additional opportunities to hunt deer in Wisconsin after the close of the nine-day season. The muzzleloader season is currently open through Dec. 5. The late archery season is also underway and continues until Jan. 6, 2013. There is also a statewide antlerless hunt Dec. 6-9, and a holiday hunt in the Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) zones of south central Wisconsin, which starts Dec. 24 and runs until Jan. 6, 2013. As a reminder, all hunters, except waterfowl hunters, are required to wear blaze orange through Dec. 9, and waterfowl hunters are encouraged to wear blaze orange when travelling to and from blinds.
Due to the past week of cold weather, a large number of diving ducks – scaup, bufflehead, golden eye, red head and canvasback have moved into the lower areas of Mississippi River pool 11 and along the shores of Lake Michigan.
Many deer hunters also reported seeing lots of pheasants and turkeys, and with the relatively mild weather, hunting opportunities have been very good for both. The last of the pheasant releases will be taking place on state properties over the next week or two.
Skim ice has formed on many ponds and lakes in the north, with some areas reporting an inch or more of ice, but conservation wardens are reporting that there is no safe ice for ice fishing at this time, and with warm weather in the forecast for the weekend, what ice is there could get thinner or melt completely.
Some anglers continue to fish along Lake Michigan, with some success reported for brown trout and perch at Milwaukee, but action generally slow. Some walleyes were being caught on the Wisconsin River and Lake Wisconsin and a few anglers reported catching sauger near lock and dam 11 on the Mississippi River.
A Thanksgiving snowstorm dumped up to 12 inches of snow in areas of Ashland and Bayfield counties, but it was a light snow that compressed. Snow depths as of Thursday ranged from an inch or two to 6 to 8 inches across the northern portion of the state, with the heaviest amounts along the Lake Superior snowbelt. Snowmobilers are reminded that trails are not open until county snowmobile coordinators open them, and using trails before they are open is trespass and could result in the loss of important trail easements.
There continues to be an influx of winter finches from boreal Canada. Evening grosbeaks and Bohemian waxwings are visiting feeders and fruit trees, all the way south to the Illinois state line. Common redpolls as well as both white-winged and red crossbills also are being seeing statewide. Pine grosbeaks have invaded the Northwoods in large numbers and have trickled as far south as La Crosse and Milwaukee
Oklahoma Wildlife Department to open online public comment period for regulation changes Dec. 3
Most notable is a proposal to change the structure of the combined season deer harvest limit to include no more than two antlered deer, with only one antlered deer allowed during deer muzzleloader and gun seasons combined. Another proposal would prohibit transporting live bait from one body of water to another in the state.
"This public comment period is an important opportunity to comment on items that could lead to changes in our hunting and fishing regulations," said Nels Rodefeld, information and education chief for the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation. "We feel strongly that our constituents should have every chance to provide their comments, which is why we are providing an online comment form for those wanting to be heard on these specific subjects. We encourage you to provide your comments through wildlifedepartment.com anytime during the open comment period."
To view a complete listing of proposed rule changes or to complete an online comment form, log on to wildlifedepartment.com beginning Dec. 3. The online comment period will remain open until 4:30 p.m. on Jan. 11, 2013.
If comments cannot be made online, written comments will be accepted by mail until Jan. 11, 2013, at the Wildlife Department's main office in Oklahoma City (P.O. Box 53465, OKC, OK 73152).
The Wildlife Department also will be hosting a public hearing on proposed rule changes at 7 p.m., Jan. 8 at the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation headquarters auditorium in Oklahoma City (1801 N. Lincoln Blvd).
Friday, November 30, 2012
IOWA’S SHOTGUN DEER SEASON PREVIEW
Heading into Iowa’s busiest outdoor ‘opening day,’ shotgun deer season hunters should expect to see fewer deer. While that downturn is by design, they should still fill plenty of tags, during the December 1-5 first shotgun season or the December 8-16 second season.
“Deer numbers are projected to be down at least ten percent from last year,” forecasts Tom Litchfield, DNR deer research biologist. “We have been working to decrease deer numbers since 2003. On a statewide basis, the herd is very close to objective; which would be the levels seen in the mid to late 1990s.”
With a relatively short season (five or nine days), shotgun hunters often must adapt to the weather. Looking ahead to the next week, seasonal temperatures and a continued brown—not white—landscape lie ahead for hunters holding about 172,000 paid first season, paid second season and landowner tags.
One strategy that remains constant is hunting with the wind. Deer rely primarily on their noses, to warn of danger. Hunters should keep that in mind, especially as they set up drives.
“It is always good to set up drives so that as you move the deer, they don’t have a good opportunity to smell the blockers as they approach. Have them downwind from the deer,” emphasizes Litchfield. “A lot of hunters drive the same block of ground in the same way every year. Paying attention to the wind may produce better results.”
Hunters are Iowa’s primary deer management tool. It is a role they have carried out well in the last decade, with that emphasis to reduce deer numbers. That has been accomplished, primarily, through increased sale of county-specific antlerless tags.
The ‘all seasons’ harvest—including deer taken in the bow, muzzleloader, January, youth and handicapped seasons--reflects that downturn, with 121,407 deer reported by hunters in 2011-12. That compares to 211,451 in 2005-06; though harvest reporting techniques did change during that span.
Somewhat of a ‘wild card’ this fall and winter will be the impact of Epizootic Hemorrhaging Disease (EHD) across much of the state. Nearly 3,000 reports of suspected EHD have been received; with concentrations in central and southwest counties and several more western counties through the Loess Hills. In all, 63 counties have at least one suspected case. The hot weather, insect-carried disease has essentially run its course for this year; with heavy frost killing off the midge, which spreads it.
Still, hunters may find more dead deer, as they fan out across the landscape.
“We know this EHD outbreak had at least significant localized impact; and that impact won’t be assessed until we go through the hunting season,” says Litchfield.
With the emphasis on downsizing the herd, Litchfield sees about 60 of Iowa’s 99 counties ‘at objective.’ Another 20 should reach it after this season. The remainder likely would fall into place after 2013-14. He is concerned, however, that the EHD outbreak could change that dynamic—lowering hunter harvest and post-season counts—for some counties.
The 161st nine-day deer hunt closes, but heritage continues through stories
MADISON - Wisconsin’s deer hunting heritage lives and grows through the sharing of hunting stories. If each licensed hunter created one new story to share at camp this year, there are 633,460 new stories to pass along, with more than 243,000 of them ending with the harvest of a deer. This year’s preliminary tally indicates 243,739 deer were registered by gun deer hunters between Nov. 17 and Nov. 26.
“It’s great to see the level of hunter participation that we do in Wisconsin, and equally as great to see that more hunters had success than last year,” said Kevin Wallenfang, big game ecologist for the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. “I’ve talked to several hunters that saw more deer than in past years in much of the state but also to some who saw less. So there are areas where deer observations were low, as we knew there would be. This sort of feedback, along with the harvest numbers, is important as we continue to work with hunters to best manage deer populations in the state.”
The preliminary nine-day harvest numbers are collected through a call-around survey of 600-plus deer registration stations all across Wisconsin and likely will increase when all registration tags are officially counted. This year’s preliminary harvest totals are up 7.7 percent from 2011. The preliminary tally showed hunters harvested 114, 822 bucks and 128,917 antlerless deer. This compared to 2011 preliminary harvest figures of 102,837 bucks and 123,423 antlerless, for a 12 percent and 4 percent increase respectively.
A breakdown of the harvest by DNR region and county is available in portable document format (pdf) on the DNR website.
“Once again Wisconsin was the deer hunting destination for hundreds of thousands of hunters. Hunting is about family, friends, fun and tradition. More than 600,000 people were out connecting with the land, and in doing so renewed their commitment to sustaining our natural resources for generations to come,” said DNR Secretary Cathy Stepp.
Of the total number of licenses purchased this year, nearly 29,000 were First Time Buyer licenses. New female hunters represented 33 percent of this total, and another 33 percent of first time buyers were youth, ages 17 and under. Additionally, 80 First Time Buyer licenses were sold to hunters 80 and older.
“Seeing so many new buyers, along with some returning or new hunters over the age of 80, illustrates how deep our deer hunting heritage runs,” said Sec. Stepp. “Getting women and youth involved in hunting is essential for continuing our state’s hunting heritage. When women and moms are involved, the family follows.”
Late Seasons Now Open
There are additional opportunities to hunt deer in Wisconsin after the close of the nine-day season. The muzzleloader season is currently open through Dec. 5. The late archery season is also underway and continues until Jan. 6, 2013. There is also a statewide antlerless hunt Dec. 6-9, and a holiday hunt in the Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) zones of south central Wisconsin, which starts Dec. 24 and runs until Jan. 6, 2013.
Please visit dnr.wi.gov and search keyword “deer” for more information on season dates and regulations.
Shooting Incidents below average, but one fatality in 2012
This year seven shooting related incidents were reported, one was fatal.
“Our sincere condolences go to the family and friends of the fatally injured hunter. Any shooting-related fatality -- or injury for that matter -- is one too many,” said Conservation Warden Jon King, Hunter Education Administrator. However overall hunter safety has increased over the years, said King. Total reported incidents for 2012 is below the 10 year average, which is nine.
“Statistically we have continued our safe hunting tradition. But for me to truly consider a deer season a hundred percent successful, all hunters would have returned home unharmed,” said Sec. Stepp. “And that’s a goal we all should continue to strive for.”
More than 25,000 students complete the hunter’s safety program every year, thanks to the work of more than 3,800 volunteer hunter education instructors. Wisconsin marked its one-millionth graduate in 2012. Before the hunter education course started, hunter fatalities during the season commonly ran into double digits.
“As always, we want to remind hunters participating in the remaining seasons to remember and follow the four rules of firearm safety or TAB-K,” said King. “Treat any firearm as if it is loaded, always point the muzzle in a safe direction, be certain of your target and what’s beyond, and keep your finger outside the trigger guard until ready to shoot.”
Hunters asked to participate in online Deer Hunter Wildlife Survey
The Deer Hunter Wildlife Survey is still active until the end of all deer seasons and wildlife managers are asking hunters to send in a report of what they saw during the just completed nine-day gun hunt and during any hunting trips they make through the end of all deer hunting seasons. This information provides valuable data biologists can use to help provide an additional human element to the completed deer season.
Thursday, November 29, 2012
IOWA DEER HUNTERS ENCOURAGED TO HUNT SAFELY
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| English: Iowa Department of Natural Resources logo (Photo credit: Wikipedia) |
Iowa’s first shotgun deer season opens Dec. 1, and while optimism for a successful hunt is the primary focus, hunters are encouraged to brush up on safe hunting practices.
An estimated 70,000 hunters are expected to take to the timber on Saturday, and Megan Wisecup with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources Recreation Safety Program said the tradition is rooted in the experiences of friends and family.
“If you think about who we go hunting with – our friends and our family – it is important to practice safe hunting techniques to make sure we all get home at the end of the day,” Wisecup said.
Hunters’ shooting at running deer is the top cause of deer hunting incidents.
“Hunters are urged to not shoot at a running deer. Hunters tend to get fixated on their target and when a deer is running, they forget about their surroundings. Look beyond your target and clearly identify the target before taking the shot,” Wisecup said. “You must be certain you have a clear, safe shot. Never point your firearm at anything you do not want to shoot.”
That advice can help to prevent self inflicted wounds as well.
“Hunters need to remember the basic firearm handling rules in the field,” she said.
Basic firearm rules are always point the muzzle in a safe direction; treat every firearm as though it were loaded; unload the firearm and open the action, especially when crossing obstacles, until you are ready to shoot; keep the barrel clear and choose the proper ammunition.
Wisecup encouraged hunters to wear plenty of blaze orange and to discuss the hunting plan with everyone in the group.
“You want to be seen from all sides in the woods,” she said. “It is also important to discuss the hunting plan that will outline the role for each person and where they will be during the hunt. Plan your hunt and hunt your plan. It is critical to communicate with your hunting partners to ensure everyone knows where each other is at all times.”
In 2011, there were 19 deer hunting related incidents in Iowa: 13 personal injuries and six property damage. There were no deer hunting fatalities in 2011.
Wednesday, November 28, 2012
IOWA DNR TO INCREASE NUMBER OF DEER TISSUE SAMPLES AS PART OF SURVEILLANCE FOR CHRONIC WASTING DISEASE
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For a decade, DNR wildlife workers and other volunteers have combed the countryside during Iowa’s shotgun deer seasons; collecting samples to test for the deadly Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD). That effort will expand this year, to concentrate on portions of Wapello, Davis, Pottawattamie and Cerro Gordo counties, following positive tests from deer in hunting preserves and breeding facilities there this summer and fall.
“We will do some added surveillance of free ranging deer here (Davis, Wapello counties), in Pottawattamie County and in eastern Iowa, too,” outlined Dr. Dale Garner, DNR wildlife bureau chief at a November meeting with landowners and hunters in Bloomfield.
Iowa’s first positive CWD test was confirmed this year; from a buck taken at a shooting preserve just north of Bloomfield.
Many of the samples will be collected during the first half of December, as more than 120,000 hunters take part in Iowa’s shotgun deer seasons.
“Our goal is to obtain 300 samples from a five mile radius around the facility. We will also obtain another 200 between Bloomfield and Ottumwa; as well as added samples from Jefferson, Van Buren and Monroe counties,” outlined district DNR wildlife supervisor Bill Ohde, noting they need to know the section from which the deer was harvested, also. “We want adult animals. We will not cut into a trophy buck that is to be mounted.”
Sampling—which involves removing and testing the brain stem and lymph nodes--has been done on free ranging deer across Iowa for years. That attention has been heaviest in northeast Iowa, after Wisconsin and Illinois yielded positive cases in recent years. Sampling there will continue at a slightly lower intensity, to accommodate the additional testing in Davis and Wapello Counties. Since 2002, samples have been taken from 42,557 wild deer in Iowa; with no positive CWD result and from 2,630 animals from hunting preserves, before the positives were returned this year.
Most samples are obtained by wildlife staff, checking with hunters in the field or at home processing points. Others are obtained at meat lockers. In a few instances, sampling is done at pre-announced stations. One will be at Lake Wapello State Park on Dec. 1 and 2, from noon to 6 p.m. Hunters may contact Jeff Glaw (641-799-0793) or Bill Ohde (319-591-1244) for information about the station or if they harvest an adult deer in Davis or Wapello counties.
“We are hopeful CWD has not spread. The only way to know this is to collect samples and do the testing. We will work through all hunting seasons; with the peak being the shotgun seasons in December,” said Garner.
Anyone observing a sick deer is asked to contact their local conservation officer or a wildlife biologist, so that a sample can be obtained.
There are links on the Iowa DNR website to explain CWD, the Iowa response plan, now that it has shown up in the state, and other information on infectious disease. The direct link is http://www.iowadnr.gov/
Saturday, November 24, 2012
WI DNR statement and Op-Ed: Tribes do not have authority to hunt deer at night in Ceded Territory
DNR Secretary Cathy Stepp’s statement on confirmation GLIFWC has issued order allowing night hunting of deer in Ceded Territory
“We have been informed the Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission plans to allow Chippewa Tribal night hunting for deer in the Ceded Territory (roughly the northern third of the state) starting Nov. 26. DNR does not approve of this action and the state will file suit today (Wednesday) seeking a federal court order requiring the Tribes to comply with the court’s prohibition on deer shining and confirming the State’s right to enforce the state shining law against Tribal hunters in the Ceded Territory.“We have concerns about the short amount of time to notify the public, the circumvention of court oversight and past rulings on night hunting for deer, and public safety.
“We have also requested that the Tribes refrain from shining deer until this matter can be settled in court. Should Tribal members refuse, it is important for the public to know that night hunting of deer could take place on public lands in the Ceded Territory starting Nov. 26, and proper precautions should be taken if outdoor recreating.”
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Op-Ed: State opposed to Tribal shining
by Cathy Stepp, Secretary, Wisconsin Department of Natural ResourcesYou may have heard about potential shining – or night hunting of deer – by Tribal members in the Ceded Territory (roughly the northern third of Wisconsin). I want to give you an overview from the State’s perspective.
DNR does not approve of this action and does not believe it is within the authority of the Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission. Working in conjunction with the Wisconsin Department of Justice, the State filed suit Wednesday seeking a federal court order requiring the Tribes to comply with the court’s prohibition on deer shining and confirming the State’s right to enforce the State shining law against Tribal hunters in the Ceded Territory, roughly the northern third of the state.
Why?
We have concerns about the short amount of time to notify the public, the circumvention of court oversight and past rulings on night hunting for deer, and public safety.
We understand that the Tribes contend they should be allowed to hunt deer at night because a recently adopted state law permits the night hunting of wolves. We believe that this is essentially the same argument the Tribes unsuccessfully asserted in federal court in the 1989 “deer trial” when they argued that State’s provision for night hunting coyotes should allow them to hunt deer at night. After a week-long trial, the court concluded that deer shining was much more dangerous to public safety than the nighttime hunting of predators like coyotes, and so Judge Barbara Crabb rejected the tribes’ challenge to the State’s deer shining law. We believe that the State’s legalization of night hunting of wolves, another predator species, changes nothing in this respect.
Importantly, even if it were legal for the Tribes to hunt deer at night – which we believe it is not – we believe GLIFWC acted with too little notice and too little consultation with the State. We have not been able to discuss many safety aspects. And we need time to be sure that people using public lands with no expectation of night deer hunting are aware of any such changes. The GLIFWC order would have night hunting of deer start Nov. 26.
DNR has diligently and in good faith implemented numerous enhanced Tribal resource harvesting opportunities, including updating and increasing harvest limits for Tribal harvest of a host of species; honoring self-regulation for gathering forest products on State lands; agreeing to alternative monitoring of walleye harvest to save creel clerk expenses; youth hunt mentoring; improving mapping of the Ceded Territory in Wisconsin; and responsive and flexible state park hunting opportunities mechanism – all of which have operated almost exclusively for the Tribes’ benefit. I’m proud of that record, and I believe our actions of the past give us strong credibility is addressing this issue.
I contacted GLFWC Executive Administrator Jim Zorn and the Tribal Chairs and respectfully asked the Tribes to refrain from implementing night deer hunting. And I asked that Tribal members not go out shining until the federal court rules on our motion.
I assured Administrator Zorn of our continuing commitment to the court-approved process for negotiating changes to our past agreements on regulatory matters. I let him know we are hopeful this does not put the Tribes and state with odds with each other.
But I also informed him that it is DNR’s job to honor court decisions and directives, and to enforce the laws that are in place at this time, and we will do so. In the meantime, I ask that all of us – Tribal members, governmental agencies, and the public – work together to manage court-affirmed hunting and gathering rights in a safe and legal manner.
Wednesday, November 14, 2012
Indiana: Website repair means Indiana hunters should buy licenses early
Buying a hunting license early is generally a wise idea, but it’s
essential for those who have yet to buy a license and want to hunt
upland game species such as pheasant, quail and rabbit this weekend.
The portion of the DNR website through which licenses are purchased will be down for emergency repair from 2 a.m. (EST) Saturday to 11:59 p.m. (EST) Sunday. During this time, license purchases will not be available online or at any license retailer.
Deer hunters can also save themselves time today and avoid the last-minute rush by purchasing their firearms season license. The deer firearms season starts Nov. 17.
The CheckIN Game system also is unavailable this weekend. In order to check game, hunters will need to visit a check station. A station list can be found at eregulations.com/indiana/
The portion of the DNR website through which licenses are purchased will be down for emergency repair from 2 a.m. (EST) Saturday to 11:59 p.m. (EST) Sunday. During this time, license purchases will not be available online or at any license retailer.
Deer hunters can also save themselves time today and avoid the last-minute rush by purchasing their firearms season license. The deer firearms season starts Nov. 17.
The CheckIN Game system also is unavailable this weekend. In order to check game, hunters will need to visit a check station. A station list can be found at eregulations.com/indiana/
Tuesday, November 13, 2012
North Dakota: Mule Deer Production Remains Low
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Aerial
observations during the North Dakota Game and Fish Department’s fall
mule deer survey indicated production in 2012 was about the same as last
year’s record low.
Biologists
who accompanied pilots in fixed-wing planes counted 1,224 (1,055 in
2011) mule deer in the October survey. The buck-to-doe ratio of 0.37
(0.47 in 2010) was similar to the long-term average of 0.43 bucks per
doe, and the fawn-to-doe ratio of 0.59 equaled the lowest fawn-to-doe
ratio since the demographic survey began in 1954. The long-term average
is 0.92 fawns per doe.
Bruce
Stillings, big game supervisor in Dickinson, said mule deer densities
in the badlands haven’t been this low since 1996. “The three consecutive
severe winters from 2008-11 were devastating to our mule deer and
pronghorn populations,” Stillings said. “These winters not only greatly
reduced overall mule deer abundance due to winter-related mortality, but
led to poor fawn production. Three years of few young animals entering
the population has resulted in an aged population with few prime-aged
breeding females.”
Winter
2011-12 was one of the mildest on record, but Stillings said it is
likely the reproductive condition of the surviving females was still
poor after being stressed for as many as three years.
“This
summer was extremely dry, leading to reduced vegetative growth needed
for fawn concealment and health of the doe,” Stillings added. “An aging
population and poor fawning habitat conditions resulted in another year
of poor fawn production.”
According
to Stillings, no doe harvest is the first step needed to encourage
population growth, and another mild winter is needed to help this year’s
fawns survive until adulthood.
“A
spring and summer with normal precipitation in 2013 would go a long way
to promote habitat conditions more favorable for fawn survival leading
to population growth,” he added.
The
fall aerial survey, conducted specifically to study demographics,
covers 23 study areas and 293 square miles in western North Dakota.
Biologists survey the same study areas in the spring of each year to
determine a population index.
Monday, November 12, 2012
Wisconsin: Hunters may harvest deer with tags and collars
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Wisconsin wildlife researchers ask for basic, valuable information in return
MADISON – With the upcoming nine-day gun season approaching fast, wildlife researchers are looking for assistance from Wisconsin hunters who may harvest any of the more than 240 white-tailed deer marked with radio-collars and approximately 200 deer marked with ear tags.The researchers say hunters’ help may play a role in how Wisconsin’s white-tailed deer herd is managed for generations to come. That’s a big impact for help that may take each hunter who harvests a marked deer only a few minutes to provide. With the start of the early archery season a few weeks ago, we have now entered an important phase of the project that involves collecting harvest data from marked deer.
“These deer were marked in 2011 and 2012 as part of a study to better understand how long deer live and how they die,” said Michael Watt, Natural Resource Research Scientist. ”Hunters are free to harvest these marked deer. And if they do, we would like some basic information that shouldn’t take more than a minute to provide.”
The requested information about marked deer include:
- ear tag or radio collar number;
- how, when and where the animal died or was harvested; and,
- the hunter’s phone number, complete with area code.
Watt and his colleagues marked the deer in the northern counties of Rusk, Sawyer and Price, and the east central counties of Shawano, Waupaca and Outagamie as part of the buck mortality study and fawn predation study sponsored by the University of Wisconsin-Madison, the Wisconsin Conservation Congress, Safari Club International (SCI), Wildlife Restoration Funding, Union Sportsmen’s Alliance, Whitetails Unlimited, Applied Population Laboratory, Menn Law Firm, and private donations from Wisconsin citizens.
“I want to stress that hunters should treat these deer like any other deer you might see. These deer may be harvested, but the information that hunters provide is important to the research and the future of our deer herd,” said Watt.
While the DNR uses a deer population modeling system built upon sound science and data, Watt says challenges remain.
“The distribution and numbers of predators has changed in the last 20 years and we hope this study can shed some light on how these changes are affecting our deer herd,” Watt says. “Not only is this a wildlife issue, it is an economic issue – Wisconsin’s tourism relies upon its healthy and abundant natural resources. Deer hunting is part of that tourism industry. Our deer hunters have expressed concerns about the impact that predation may be having on deer population growth and recruitment rates across the state – the department is listening to their concerns and trying to better understand predation impacts with our ongoing collaborative research.”
And this is where the hunters come in, Watt says.
“The only way we will be successful in our deer herd management is through hunters’ participation,” Watt says. “And the research partners who make it possible for us to increase our ability to gather this key information.”
Sunday, November 11, 2012
ZXT Bow Review: From Matthews
November 4, 2012 by Bowhunting.com's Steve Flores
Precision Shooter
Accuracy with the ZXT was exceptional. This is achieved largely due to the overall geometry of the bow as well as its very forgiving 7 3/8” brace height. In simplest terms, a shorter brace height shortens the time the arrow is actually on the bowstring, thus, shortening the time I have to screw things up before the arrow is released. In any case, shot after shot resulted in the same outcome….nail-driving precision.
Accuracy with the ZXT was exceptional. This is achieved largely due to the overall geometry of the bow as well as its very forgiving 7 3/8” brace height. In simplest terms, a shorter brace height shortens the time the arrow is actually on the bowstring, thus, shortening the time I have to screw things up before the arrow is released. In any case, shot after shot resulted in the same outcome….nail-driving precision.
Built on the Helim platform, the ZXT carriers the familiar Grid Loc
riser design as well as some other familiar traits from its
predecessors. The Reverse Assist Roller Guard is a nice blend of the
straight forward look from the Helim and the sweeping “bridged” pattern
found on the Z-series line of bows. The cut-outs on the ZXT roller-guard
arm not only reduce weight, but add an aesthetic quality that somewhat
match the layout of the bow’s riser. In addition, the sleek and slender
Dead End String Stop likens to the appearance of past offerings, but
with a slightly new “step-down” design to the rubber section that
contacts the bowstring.Of course, all of the technologies that have propelled Mathews to the forefront of bow design can also be found on the ZXT. These include: Dual String Suppressors and Monkey Tails to squelch bowstring noise, a Harmonic Damper located on the top of the riser and the Harmonic Damper Light on the bottom (which reduces overall weight while virtually eliminating post-shot bow/riser vibration), a String Grub for increased speed and performance, and Spherelock, SE6 Composite Limbs that are literally “beyond” parallel while at rest. All of these features add up to a shooting experience that is exclusive to Mathews bows.
Powering
this bow is the new ZX cam; a derivative of the Z-series cam system.
Those familiar with this cam design will appreciate the speed that it
produces without the need for a harsh draw-cycle to do so. Launching
arrows at 326 fps IBO, the ZXT can handle any big-game animal that comes
within range of your treestand or groundblind, yet doesn’t require
“Herculean” effort or strain in order to reach full draw during the
moment of truth. And, with a 28 inch ATA (axle to axle) length, you’re
sure to have plenty of room to maneuver into position for that perfect
shot.Features
While
a longer brace height adds forgiveness it also slows arrow speed.
However, at 326 fps IBO, I can’t think of any animal in North America
that would be immune to that type of “bad” medicine.
Shooting
the ZXT for the first time felt very familiar; like slipping on my
favorite pair of hunting boots. The smooth, comfortable draw cycle,
quiet shot, and apparent lack of vibration is what I have come to expect
from Mathews. It is why I fell in love with their products so many
years ago. My experience can be credited to the features listed above as
well as the past-parallel limb design, the ZX cam and the Reverse
Assist Roller Guard; all of which add a level of “smoothness” and
vibration-free performance that is hard to match.Without a doubt, the ZXT will be a welcome alternative to other bow designs that, despite boasting extreme speeds, typically force the shooter to suffer all of the “negatives” so often associated with fast arrow flight: i.e. short brace height, increased post-shot noise and vibration and an unpleasant draw-cycle…..just to name a few.
Few will argue that archery is 90% mental. Likewise, there is no question that “shooting confidence” goes a long way to increasing your performance in the field. When you combine the overall design of the ZXT with the increased conviction that you can close the deal when the opportunity presents itself, what you have is a deadly combination that is sure to result in more filed tags and smiling “trophy” shots.
Conclusion
It isn’t easy to continually raise the bar on bow design. And, while some may feel that the forward momentum has begun to slow down within the industry as a whole, I am hesitant to agree; especially when it comes to bows that are being produced by Mathews. In my opinion, once you have achieved the overall perfect design, which I feel they did long ago, then time and effort can be applied to “perfecting” the perfect design. That is exactly what Matt McPherson and all of the employees at Mathews Inc. continue to do, day after day, year after year. Unsurprisingly, 2013 looks to be no different.
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