HUNTERS ENCOURAGED TO FOCUS ON TREE STAND SAFETY

Tree stand accidents can happen to deer hunters of all skill levels and result in serious injury or death. In Iowa last year, four hunters fell from tree stands, all resulting in personal injury.

Since August is traditionally a busy time for deer hunters who are preparing for the upcoming hunting season; it has been chosen as Tree Stand Safety Awareness Month.

To help prevent injuries, the Iowa DNR is offering the following safety tips:

•     Always wear a safety harness, also known as a fall arrest system (FAS), when you are in a tree stand, as well as when climbing into or out of a tree stand.

•     A safety strap should be attached to the tree to prevent you from falling more than 12 inches.

•     Always inspect the safety harness for signs of wear or damage before each use.

•     Follow all manufactures’ instructions for use of a safety harness and stand.

•     Follow the three point rule of tree stand safety.  Always have three points of contact to the steps or ladder before moving.  This could be two arms and one leg holding and stepping on the ladder or one arm and two legs in contact with the ladder before moving.  Be cautious that rain, frost, ice, or snow can cause steps to become extremely slippery.  Check the security of the step before placing your weight on it.

•     Always hunt with a plan and if possible a buddy. Before you leave home, let others know your exact hunting location, when you plan to return and who is with you.

•     Always carry emergency signal devices such as a cell phone, walkie-talkie, whistle, signal flare, personal locator device and flashlight on your person at all times and within reach even while you are suspended in your FAS. Watch for changing weather conditions. In the event of an accident, remain calm and seek help immediately.

•     Always select the proper tree for use with your tree stand. Select a live straight tree that fits within the size limits recommended in your tree stand’s instructions. Do not climb or place a tree stand against a leaning tree.

•     Never leave a tree stand installed for more than two weeks since damage could result from changing weather conditions and/or from other factors not obvious with a visual inspection.

•     Always use a haul line to pull up your gear and unloaded firearm or bow to your tree stand once you have reached your desired hunting height. Never climb with anything in your hands or on your back. Prior to descending, lower your equipment on the opposite side of the tree.

•     Always know your physical limitations. Don’t take chances. Do not climb when using drugs, alcohol or if you’re sick or un-rested. If you start thinking about how high you are, don’t go any higher.

Several Archery Seasons open in OK on October 1

Deer Archery -- Oct. 1, 2015, to Jan. 15, 2016, statewide.
   The most popular of the archery hunting seasons is for deer. A record 96,901 archery hunters went afield last year, bagging a record 25,741 deer.
   "The ample spring and early summer rainfall helped boost habitat and resources for the state's deer population," Bartholomew said. "We are hearing reports of quite a few does with twins and triplets. And if a doe has triplets, that means the habitat is in good shape."
   Persimmons and other soft mast have been in good supply in most of the state this year. And the acorn crop is looking good, as well. "Find a tree that is dropping acorns and set up your stand," Bartholomew said.
   Scouting ahead of your hunt can help pattern deer movement. And since food resources are plentiful this year, the deer might have changed their routines from years past.
   Thick habitat conditions can hamper visibility for hunters. Most forested areas have thick undergrowth, and many prairies are covered in native grasses reaching 5 feet tall. Bartholomew said it is more important than ever for hunters to positively identify their target before deciding to take a shot.
   And another indicator of a good deer season ahead: Summer spotlight surveys have shown that deer numbers have increased from last year.
   Again this year, the Wildlife Department is reminding hunters that when they take a whitetail, they are making a deer herd management decision. This educational effort uses the slogan "Hunters in the Know ... Let Young Bucks Grow!" The focus of the campaign is to encourage hunters to consider harvesting an older buck as a way to positively influence the age structure of the state's deer herd.
  The bag limit is six deer, which may include no more than two antlered deer. For license requirements and information on field tagging and checking, consult the "Oklahoma Hunting" regulations guide or go online to wildlifedepartment.com.

Elk Archery -- Oct. 1, 2015, to Jan. 15, 2016, statewide on private lands only (except in Special Southwest Zone).
   This year brings Oklahoma's second elk archery season on private lands statewide.
   "Many parts of the state have seen an increase in elk numbers, and hunters now have the opportunity to pursue them through all seasons until the zone quota is met," Bartholomew said.
   The beginning of the elk archery season coincides with the end of the elk rut, he said.
   For the statewide elk season, Oklahoma is divided into seven zones. Each zone has its own bag limit (one or two elk) and harvest quota. A Special Southwest Zone will be open for archery hunting on private lands on Oct. 3-7 and Dec. 12-16 only.
   Bartholomew said some areas of the state are known to have good elk populations. In the Northeast Zone, he advises hunters to target Mayes, Delaware, Cherokee, Adair and Sequoyah counties. In the Southeast Zone, pockets of elk can be found in Pushmataha, Coal, Johnston and Pontotoc counties. And hunters in the western Panhandle should find some success.
  By far, the largest concentrations of elk occur in the Special Southwest Zone, he said. And while the season dates are more restrictive in this zone, there is no zone harvest quota.
   Hunters may harvest two elk combined for all elk seasons. All hunters must check online at wildlifedepartment.com before their hunt to find out if the season is closed for the zone they intend to hunt. Once the quota is met in each zone, the elk season will close in that zone.
   To find out about license requirements, field tagging and checking, landowner permission, zone bag limits and zone harvest quotas for private land elk hunts, consult the "Oklahoma Hunting" regulations guide or go online to wildlifedepartment.com.

Bear Archery -- Oct. 1-18 in Latimer, Le Flore, McCurtain and Pushmataha counties only.
   In 2014, hunters harvested 52 black bears in Oklahoma. Of those, 45 were taken by archery hunters. Hunters in Le Flore County bagged 32 bears, making that county the most productive of the four open to bear hunting.
Jeff Ford, southeast region wildlife biologist for the Wildlife Department, said he's expecting bear hunters will find similar success this year as they did last year. "The bear population is doing really good, and the bears are in great health," Ford said.
   Mast production has been good this year after heavy spring rains. "Hunters should target the hardwood ridges again, and look for areas with lots of acorns," he said.
   For archery bear hunters, there is no season harvest quota. So, these hunters can be more selective in making a harvest decision since they may hunt the entire 18 days. Hunters may take only one bear for all seasons combined.
   All hunters are required to have a hunting license or proof of exemption, and a bear license (no exemptions). Bear archery hunting licenses must be purchased by Sept. 30, before the season opens. No bear archery licenses will be sold after that date.
   Ford urged successful bear hunters to call the phone numbers provided in the "Oklahoma Hunting" regulations guide to be directed to the nearest location where they can check in their bear. For more information about prohibited activities, field tagging and checking, consult the "Oklahoma Hunting" regulations guide or go online to wildlifedepartment.com.

Pronghorn Antelope Archery -- Oct 1-14 in Cimarron County and Texas County west of State Highway 136.
   Pronghorn hunters have reason to be optimistic, based on habitat conditions and survey results this year in the Oklahoma Panhandle. Steve Conrady, Northwest Region wildlife supervisor for the Wildlife Department, said pronghorn populations have rebounded some in 2015 after several years of drought.
   "The drought effects have decreased, and pronghorn numbers are starting to rebound," he said. "We've also been seeing a fair number of fawns," he said, which points to better herd and habitat conditions.
   Archery hunters should find more concealment cover this year compared to the past several years, thanks to ample rainfall in the region. "Compared to the last few years, I think the hunters will see a fairly good season."
   Most pronghorns harvested in Oklahoma are taken through the Wildlife Department's Controlled Hunts and through landowner permits. Of the 71 antelope harvested in 2014, only 19 were taken by over-the-counter license buyers.
   To find out about license requirements, season limit, field tagging and checking, and landowner permission, consult the "Oklahoma Hunting" regulations guide or go online to wildlifedepartment.com.

Turkey Archery -- Oct. 1, 2015, to Jan. 15, 2016, statewide.
   All counties are open for the fall turkey archery season. Hunters may harvest one turkey of either sex during all fall seasons combined. Any turkey harvested statewide must be checked in using the E-Check system at wildlifedepartment.com.
   It's common for deer hunters to head to the field along with the proper fall turkey license in case they get an opportunity to harvest a turkey while deer hunting.

Michigan DNR seeks information on deer killed in city of Norton Shores

Michigan Department of Natural Resources conservation officers are asking for the public’s help in obtaining information about 18 deer that were killed in the city of Norton Shores between October 2014 and September 2015.

The Norton Shores Police Department and the DNR have received the following reports:

• A resident in the area of Treeline Drive found one dead deer Oct. 26, 2014, and two dead deer May 14, 2015.
• On Aug. 31, 2015, a resident on Easthill Drive reported finding a dead deer in the yard, and a total of 11 dead deer since February 2014.
• On Sept. 13, 2015, the Easthill Drive resident found two more dead deer.
• A resident on Hilltop Drive also reported finding two dead deer since last year.

The deer were shot with a small-caliber rifle. Most of the deer were killed outside of the state’s deer hunting seasons.

Anyone with information about any of these incidents is encouraged to call the DNR's Report All Poaching (RAP) Line at 1-800-292-7800. Information may be left anonymously. Tips also can be sent to the DNR via the online reporting form available on the DNR website www.michigan.gov/conservationofficers.

IOWA’S ARCHERY DEER SEASON BEGINS OCTOBER 1

Deer hunters have October 1 circled on their calendar marking the beginning to Iowa’s popular archery deer season.

An expected 50,000 hunters will be hiding among the branches on tree stands in the timber across Iowa forests and field edges waiting for the next legendary Iowa buck to walk by.

“The herd is in excellent condition statewide following the mild winter and early spring and the population is about where we want it. If they put in the time scouting and sight in their bow, I expect hunters will have another good year in the timber,” said Dr. Dale Garner, chief of the Iowa Department of Natural Resources Wildlife Bureau.

Regulation changes incorporated last year have helped to stabilize Iowa’s herd. There were no regulation changes for 2015. The archery season is open through Dec. 4, when it closes for the shotgun deer seasons. It then reopens Dec. 21 and runs until Jan. 10, 2016.

Youth Season Open Through Oct. 4

Iowa’s archery season crosses over with the youth only season for the first four days. The youth only deer hunting season opened Sept 19. 

Around 9,500 youth under 16 years of age participate in the special season each year. They must hunt under the supervision of an adult mentor who has a valid hunting license and habitat fee.  Only one youth hunter may accompany each adult mentor.

Youth hunters harvested more than 3,300 deer in the 2014 special season.  The 2015 season closes onOct. 4.

Where to Hunt

Looking for new areas to hunt? Try Iowa’s online hunting atlas, highlighting more than 600,000 acres of public hunting land. The atlas is available at www.iowadnr.gov/hunting in the middle of the page.

The atlas shows which zone the area is in, type of shot allowed, wildlife likely to be found, gives the user an overhead look at the terrain and provides a downloadable or printable map. The mobile version of the atlas will show hunter location on the area if granted permission.

Another resource is the Iowa Habitat Access Program (IHAP), where private landowners receive assistance to improve habitat on their land in exchange for opening the property for hunter access.  The program has added more than 9,000 acres where hunters can access private property.

Site maps are available at www.iowadnr.gov/ihap showing boundaries, which species would be most likely attracted to the habitat and the location of a comment box where hunters can leave their thoughts on the program.

Walk-in public hunting through IHAP is available between September 1 and May 31.

Related articles

• Michigan - Deadline approaching to refund deer license purchases (midwestdeerhunting.blogspot.com)
• Conservation Commission approves changes to 2016-2017 deer regulations (missourioutdoors.blogspot.com)
• Deer hunting archery season in Ohio begins this later month (ohio.com)

North Dakota landowners Seek Doe Hunters

The North Dakota Game and Fish Department is currently working with landowners in 12 hunting units across the state who would like to host hunters with antlerless deer licenses in 2015.

Participating landowners are located in hunting units 2C, 2I, 2J2, 2K1, 2K2, 3A4, 3B3, 3C, 3D2, 3F1, 4B and 4E.

The program is not intended for buck hunters, but designed to direct hunters with antlerless licenses to specific areas to reduce deer populations.

Interested hunters can get their name on a list of possible participants by accessing the Game and Fish Department’s website at gf.nd.gov. Hunters who do not have Internet access can call the department’s main office in Bismarck at 701-328-6300.

Hunters will provide their address, hunting unit(s) where they hold valid antlerless licenses, and if using rifle, muzzleloader or bow. From this list the department will select the number of hunters landowners have agreed to host. These hunters will be sent the landowner’s name, phone number and any information relating to the landowner’s specific situation.

Hunters must have a valid 2015 deer gun license – the Game and Fish Department does not provide a hunting license with this program.

Not everyone who signs up will end up with a new place to hunt, because not everyone’s schedule will match up with a landowner’s, and more people will likely put their name on the list than there are openings. Currently, participating landowners have openings for about 120 doe hunters.

North Dakota’s 2015 regular deer gun season runs from Nov. 6-22. In addition, the archery season extends through Jan. 3, 2016; the youth season is Sept. 18-27; and muzzleloader runs from Nov. 27 – Dec. 13.

Michigan - Deadline approaching to refund deer license purchases

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources reminds hunters that 5:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 18, is the deadline to return unused deer and deer combination (“deer combo”) licenses for a refund.

The DNR allowed license returns for refund after antlerless deer hunting regulation changes were implemented by the Michigan Natural Resources Commission this summer. Some hunters had purchased licenses for the upcoming fall hunting seasons prior to the rule change.

The NRC eliminated the option to harvest antlerless deer during the archery seasons for hunters using deer or deer combo licenses in the Upper Peninsula. The decision makes deer and deer combo licenses used in the archery season “buck-only” licenses.

However, hunters with private-land antlerless deer licenses may still take an antlerless deer during any hunting season within three deer management units in the U.P. which will be open to antlerless deer hunting.

Those units are private land in Unit 055, which includes portions of Menominee and Delta counties; Unit 155, which includes parts of Marquette and Delta counties and Unit 122, which includes parts of Menominee, Iron and Dickinson counties.

Hunters can return deer and deer combo licenses for a refund if they would like, and new licenses could be purchased prior to the start of the deer seasons; however, this is not required.

To return a license for refund, hunters must bring all licenses bought during the original time of purchase back to the license outlet where they were purchased. For those who purchased licenses online, use the phone number below.

Since deer seasons begin Sept. 19, licenses are considered active after Friday’s deadline. To learn more about returning licenses, contact DNR licensing staff at 517-284-6057 or MDNR-E-License@michigan.gov.

More information on the Upper Peninsula DMUs is available in the 2015 Michigan Antlerless Deer Digest online. For more information on hunting seasons and regulations, visit www.michigan.gov/hunting.

Related articles

• Michigan DNR's Hunting Access Program awarded grant to increase hunting opportunities (midwestdeerhunting.blogspot.com)
• DNR to graduate 38 from inaugural Youth Conservation Academy (themorningsun.com)
• Looking good on the water: Waterfowl seasons quickly approaching (mlive.com)

First State-Record Elk Added to Cy Curtis Awards Program

Participating in a once-in-a-lifetime elk hunt at the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge in

southwestern Oklahoma was definitely a bucket-list item for Shawnee residents Mark
Thompson and Lance Carter. Both hunters harvested typical elk that scored high enough to be recognized as the first two elk in Oklahoma's Cy Curtis Awards Program.
    Thompson now holds the state record for his elk, which scored 307 6/8. Carter's elk scored 282 1/8.
    Thompson and Carter both live near Dale. "We live about two miles from each other as the crow flies," Carter said. Being from the same small town with children the same age, they got to know each other. Little did they know in 2013 they would share an unforgettable hunt.
    When both hunters realized they were drawn for a bull elk hunt through the Wildlife Department's controlled hunts program, they were shocked. Thompson's hunt was "amazing to say the least." The morning of hunter orientation, the temperature was a chilly 4 degrees with snow on the ground. With no wind and the sun rising, they could see elk on every ridge. Thompson decided then that he would be picky and get just the right bull.
    On the first morning of the hunt, Dec. 2, 2013, five of the hunters in his group tagged out by 10 a.m. Thompson passed up a bull elk early that afternoon, but he "knew the fun wasn't over yet."
    "I wanted to hunt longer. I knew the other guys had all tagged out and that afternoon I would be the only one hunting." After observing some bulls in a deep valley that afternoon, he set up for his shot. About 30 minutes before dark, three bulls came in close enough for a shot. He picked out a bull at 350 yards and harvested his state-record bull elk with a .300 Winchester Magnum.
    When he retrieved his elk, Thompson quartered it and packed it out himself. It took him two trips over a mile each in 20-degree weather with the wind blowing 20 mph. "I took my time so I didn't hurt myself."
   

Thompson took an iPad in the field with him and recorded much of his hunt with video and pictures. "I knew this would be the only time I would be able to have pictures of the whole elk and this was a once-in-a-lifetime hunt. I wanted to remember this."
    The next morning, Carter was part of a different group that was still out hunting. He successfully harvested his bull that morning with a broadside shot at long range. "The terrain is unreal, nothing like you would expect in Oklahoma," Carter said.
    The Wildlife Department established the Cy Curtis Awards Program in 1972 to recognize trophy game hunters in Oklahoma. For 42 years, the program recognized only trophy white-tailed deer and mule deer. But in 2014, the Cy Curtis Awards Program was expanded to include elk, pronghorns and black bears that exceed the minimum qualifying scores. The minimum score to be recognized in the Cy Curtis Awards Program for typical elk is 270. For non-typical elk, the minimum score is 310.
    For more details on the program and how to apply for an award, go to the Cy Curtis page at wildlifedepartment.com.

Michigan deer hunters - Still time to enroll in hunter education classes before deer season

As students head back to school, signaling the quick approach to fall and deer hunting season, parents of children who have an interest in learning to hunt should consider enrolling them in a September hunter education class. Now is the best time to enroll so that new hunters are ready to hit the woods this fall.

"Although classes are held year-round, April, May, August and September class opportunities are typically the most plentiful,” said Sgt. Steve Orange with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources hunter education program. “However, waiting until the last minute to enroll sometimes makes it difficult to find an available class.”

Michigan has three types of hunter education courses: traditional classroom, home-study and online. Orange encourages students to finish the course no later than Oct. 1 to insure that instructors are available for online or home-study students to complete a mandatory field day. The field work is included with the traditional classroom instruction.

Anyone born on or after Jan. 1, 1960, is required to successfully complete the course in order to purchase a Michigan hunting license or participate in an out-of-state hunt. Exceptions are made for youths under the age of 10 who are hunting with a Mentored Youth Hunting license or hunters older than 10 who are hunting with anapprentice hunting license. New hunters can hunt under the apprentice program for two years before being required to complete a hunter education course.

Traditional classroom instruction is at least 10 hours during a minimum of two days and includes both classroom and field work with an instructor. The fee for the class is $10 or less to cover expenses. The home-study course features a manual in which to complete classwork and answer questions. A field day also is required with the home-study course and must be scheduled with an instructor prior to starting the course. Michigan also offers three approved online courses: www.hunter-ed.com/michigan, www.huntercourse.com, and www.hunteredcourse.com/state/michigan. Students who opt for the online course complete their classwork online and then have a field/skills day with an instructor and take a written exam. The field day must be scheduled with an instructor prior to starting the online instruction. The online courses have varying fees, but all are priced under $25. There may be an additional cost of up to $10 for the field day.

For more information about hunter education or to find a class in your area, go towww.michigan.gov/huntereducation.

South Dakota Hunters, Anglers and Trappers Can Now Carry Licenses on their Smartphone Devices

PIERRE, S.D. - Hunters, anglers and trappers in South Dakota will notice now when logging into their account through the South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks’ (GFP) online licensing system that their small game, fishing or trapping license has a bar code in the upper right hand corner. This bar code allows GFP conservation officers to electronically scan the license on smartphone devices (Android, iPhone, etc.) while in the field in lieu of a paper copy.

Before heading into the field this fall, hunters, anglers and trappers can log into their GFP account from their device to view their small game, fishing or trapping license and take a picture or screenshot of it with their device (Android, iPhone, etc.).

This electronic version is an acceptable method of carrying a small game, fishing or trapping license. If hunter, anglers or trappers choose to print and carry a paper copy of their small game, fishing or trapping license, that continues to be an allowed practice.

This does not apply to federal waterfowl stamps, tags and licenses mailed from the GFP licensing office.

As technology evolves, GFP is committed to actively engaging with hunters, anglers and trappers across the state to provide them with the digital services that make it easier to do business with us.

For more information, please visit http://gfp.sd.gov/licenses/general-hunt-fish/digitallicense.aspx.

Michigan DNR’s Hunting Access Program awarded grant to increase hunting opportunities

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources' Hunting Access Program, which provides access to quality hunting lands near urban areas, soon will expand into the northern Lower Peninsula thanks to a new federal grant.

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources will receive $951,400 to expand its Hunting Access Program into the northern Lower Peninsula to increase private-land hunting opportunities. This grant, awarded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Voluntary Public Access and Habitat Incentive Program, also will improve wildlife habitats by enhancing grassland, forest and food plots.

The Voluntary Public Access and Habitat Incentive Program encourages landowners to allow outdoor enthusiasts greater access to their privately owned land for hunting, bird watching, fishing and hiking. According to a 2013 study by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, outdoor recreation supports 6.1 million direct jobs across the country and $646 billion in spending each year. Deer hunting alone attracts more than 700,000 hunters to Michigan each year and contributes billions of dollars to the state’s economy.

Michigan's Hunting Access Program was created in 1977 to increase public hunting opportunities in southern Michigan, where 97 percent of the land base is privately owned. Through HAP, private landowners receive financial incentives for allowing hunters access to their lands. One of the oldest dedicated private-lands, public-access programs in the nation, HAP provides access to quality hunting lands near urban areas.

According to DNR wildlife biologist Mike Parker, “HAP enrollment will be targeted primarily in the agricultural areas in the northeast and western northern Lower Peninsula, where public land is a bit scarce. Grant funds will also be used to restore wildlife habitat on willing HAP properties, to improve opportunities for deer hunters, turkey hunters and small game hunters alike.”

Using funds from Michigan’s recent license restructuring, this new federal grant and an existing USDA grant, the DNR plans to continue expanding the program in the southern Lower Peninsula, the northern Lower Peninsula and the eastern Upper Peninsula over the next three years. 

Visit www.michigan.gov/hap to learn more about the program and to see a current list of private lands available for hunting in Michigan. The HAP Web page includes details about enrolled properties, including types of hunting allowed and aerial photos of the properties.