CWD Surveillance Continues

North Dakota (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The state Game and Fish Department will continue its Hunter-Harvested Surveillance programduring the 2014 hunting season, by sampling deer for chronic wasting disease and bovine tuberculosis from 10 units in North Dakota. In addition, all moose and elk harvested in the state are eligible for testing.

Samples from hunter-harvested deer taken in the central portion of the state will be tested from units 2H, 2I, 2J1, 2J2, 2K1, 2K2, 3A4, 3B3 and 3C. In addition, deer will be tested from unit 3F2 in the southwest.

Every head sampled must have either the deer tag attached, or a new tag can be filled out with the license number, deer hunting unit and date harvested.

Hunters are encouraged to drop off deer heads at the following locations:

• ·         Ashley – Ashley Super Valu Store
• ·         Bismarck – Game and Fish Department headquarters, Call of the Wild Taxidermy, M&M Sausage and Meats, West Dakota Meats
• ·         Bottineau – Mattern Family Meats
• ·         Carrington – Barton Meats
• ·         Devils Lake – Devils Lake Game and Fish district office, Goldade Processing
• ·         Ellendale – Oxenrider Motel
• ·         Granville – S&E Meats
• ·         Harvey – Lonetree Game and Fish district office
• ·         Heaton – Miller Game Processing
• ·         Jamestown – Jamestown Game and Fish district office
• ·         LaMoure – LaMoure Lockers
• ·         Linton – Bosch’s Meat Market, Schmaltz Meats
• ·         Mandan – Butcher Block Meats
• ·         McClusky – Bentz Supply Store
• ·         Minot – Johnson Taxidermy
• ·         Moffit – Long Lake National Wildlife Refuge office
• ·         Parshall – Myers Custom Meats
• ·         Riverdale – Riverdale Game and Fish district office
• ·         Rolette – Meat Shack
• ·         Rugby – Cenex C Store
• ·         Sheyenne – Brenno Meats, Wild Things Taxidermy
• ·         Streeter – Reister Meats
• ·         Towner – B&L Electric
• ·       Turtle Lake – Main Street Market
• ·       Upham - J. Clark Salyer NWR office
• ·       Washburn – Enerbase
• ·         Wilton – Cenex
• ·         Wing – Terry’s Sales and Service
• ·       Woodworth - Chase Lake NWR office

Drop off locations for deer taken from unit 3F2:

• ·         Elgin – Gunny’s Bait and Tackle, Melvin’s Taxidermy
• ·         Glen Ullin – Kuntz’s Butcher Shop
• ·         Hettinger – Dakota Packing
• ·         New Leipzig – Hertz Hardware

Moose and elk heads should be taken to a Game and Fish office.

CWD affects the nervous system of members of the deer family and is always fatal. Scientists have found no evidence that CWD can be transmitted naturally to humans or livestock.

Four White-tailed Deer Shot in Emmons County, Warden Seeks Information

North Dakota Game and Fish Department district game warden Erik Schmidt is searching

for answers in the illegal shooting of four white-tailed deer in Emmons County during opening weekend of pheasant hunting season.

Schmidt said two mature bucks, one a 4x4 and the other a 5x5, were found in a bean field 1.5 miles east of Strasburg. A doe and fawn were found in a stubble field 5 miles southwest of Linton. It is believed all four were shot late evening Oct. 11, or early morning Oct. 12.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Report All Poachers telephone number at 800-472-2121, or contact Schmidt at 701-220-7160. RAP is offering a $1,000 reward.

The RAP line offers rewards for information that leads to conviction of fish and wildlife law violators. Reporting parties can remain anonymous.

Related articles

• 4 deer illegally shot and killed in Emmons County (bismarcktribune.com)

MDC: Risk of encountering stinging caterpillars in Missouri is minimal

Five portions of the firearms deer season remain.

JEFFERSON CITY Mo.–Hunters checked 594 deer during the urban portion of Missouri’s firearms deer season. Officials with the Missouri Department of Conservation attribute the lower-than-average harvest in part to warm, rainy, windy weather.

County harvest totals during the urban portion were: Greene, 122; St. Charles, 88; Boone, 84; Franklin, 55; Jefferson, 54; St. Louis, 47; Cole, 40; Clay, 36; Cass, 33; Jackson, 24; Platte, 11.

Hunters are only allowed to shoot antlerless deer during the urban portion. This focus on harvesting female deer is designed to control deer numbers in urban and suburban areas, where hunting pressure is lighter and the potential for deer-vehicle accidents and property damage is greater.

This year’s harvest was below average for the urban portion, which became part of the firearms deer season in 2003.  Over the past 11 years, the urban portion harvest averaged 961 deer. However, the harvest has been between 500 and 700 deer in four of the past six years.

Warm temperatures have been associated with lower urban portion harvests in the past. Temperature does not appear to have been a factor this year, since daytime highs ranged from the mid-50s to high 60s. Conservation Department Resource Scientist Jason Sumners says gusty wind and rain during the four-day hunt likely played a role in holding down this year’s urban harvest.

“No one likes to hunt in the rain, and windy weather makes it harder to detect deer movement,” says Sumners. “Considering the widespread rains we had during the urban hunt, this harvest is pretty good.”

Sumners said expanded archery hunting opportunities in many of Missouri’s urban communities, plus the hemorrhagic disease outbreak in 2012, have helped reduce deer numbers in some urban areas, and likely played a role in keeping the urban-portion harvest down.

Missouri’s firearms deer season consists of six portions, totaling 42 days. The remaining portions of Missouri’s firearms deer season are: early youth (Nov. 1-2), November (Nov. 15-25), antlerless (Nov. 26-Dec. 7), alternative methods (Dec. 20-30), and late youth (Jan. 3-4).

For more information about Missouri’s 2014-15 deer harvest, visit mdc.mo.gov/node/2613.

Related articles

• Missouri Deer Season Forecast (kjfmeagle102.net)
• MDC and CFM encourage deer hunters to Share the Harvest (missourioutdoors.blogspot.com)
• Clarification on firearm use during archery season (midwestdeerhunting.blogspot.com)

Muzzleloader Seasons Open Oct. 25 for Deer, Elk, Bear

This season's first chance for adult hunters to harvest deer with a firearm will arrive Oct. 25. That

Saturday will be opening day of the nine-day deer muzzleloader hunting season in Oklahoma.
   Oct. 25 will also be opening day for muzzleloader elk season (on private lands in open zones only), and opening day for muzzleloader bear season (in open areas only until 20-bear quota is met).
   Hunting with a muzzleloader has gained in popularity in recent years. Many hunters embrace this traditional form of hunting as it hearkens to the early pioneer days in Oklahoma.
   Erik Bartholomew, big-game biologist with the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation, said muzzleloader hunters should find good opportunities to harvest a deer this year.
   "As the weather cools down this time of year, deer will remain moving longer in the mornings and will start moving earlier in the evenings. And there are always fewer hunters in the field for muzzleloader season, compared to regular gun season."
   Last year, about 85,000 hunters participated in Oklahoma's muzzleloader deer season. Muzzleloader hunters checked in 14,981 deer harvested during the nine-day season in 2013.
   This year's muzzleloader season for deer will close Nov. 2. Muzzleloader season for elk will remain open until Nov. 2 only in those elk hunting zones where the seasonal harvest quotas have not yet been reached. Elk hunters must go online to wildlifedepartment.com to check the quota status of the zone they intend to hunt before they go afield.
   Muzzleloader season for bear will run through Nov. 2, or until the 20-bear season quota is reached, in Latimer, Le Flore, McCurtain and Pushmataha counties. Bear hunters must buy their license before the season starts, and they must call (888) 901-3256 before going afield to check the status of the bear harvest quota.
   Bartholomew urged deer hunters to scout areas with good natural food sources. "Look for oak trees that are dropping acorns, or persimmon trees. Those are good places for deer hunters to set up."
   Muzzleloader hunters must wear hunter orange garments, including a head covering, covering the upper body. Each muzzleloader hunter may harvest one antlered and two antlerless deer during the season, provided that one of the antlerless deer is taken from zones 2, 7 or 8.
   To hunt deer with a muzzleloader in Oklahoma, resident hunters must possess either an annual or lifetime hunting or combination license; a senior citizen hunting or combination license; or proof of exemption. Hunters must also possess a deer primitive (antlered or antlerless) license for each deer harvested, or proof of exemption.    Nonresidents must possess a nonresident deer primitive (antlered or antlerless) license. An annual nonresident hunting license is not required to purchase the permits. To order licenses online, go to wildlifedepartment.com/license.htm.
   For more information regarding deer and elk hunting zones, licenses, bag limits, clothing requirements or legal firearms, consult the 2014-15 "Oklahoma Hunting" regulations guide online at wildlifedepartment.com or in print anywhere hunting and fishing licenses are sold.

Related articles

• Things to consider while Bow Hunting (mtnweekly.com)
• Early Muzzleloader Deer Season Begins October 11 (midwestdeerhunting.blogspot.com)
• CNB Hunting and Fishing News for Pennsylvania: It's Hunting Time (gloucestercitynews.net)

Deer License Types - Michigan

http://www.michigan.gov/deer - Hunters must choose at the time of purchase if they want the opportunity to harvest one or two antlered deer. Hunters wishing to harvest only one antlered deer can purchase a single deer license (one kill tag). Hunters wishing to harvest two antlered deer must purchase a deer combo license (two kill tags).

Related articles

• DNR reminds deer hunters of changes to license structure (midwestdeerhunting.blogspot.com)
• Things to consider while Bow Hunting (mtnweekly.com)

Youth Deer Gun Season Kicks Off Friday

 Oct. 17 is the day many young hunters are awaiting. That Friday will be opening day for this year's

three-day youth deer gun season for hunters 17 and younger.
   "This year's youth deer gun season has the potential to be a great one," said Erik Bartholomew, big-game biologist with the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation. The fact that this season happens earlier in the year than other seasons is often a benefit for youth hunters.
   "The youth deer gun season is set up so that kids can have a good time in the field. Deer are still in their summer feeding routines and are easy to pattern. And temperatures in October tend to be mild, and that makes for a more comfortable hunt," he said.
   "Since the deer aren't moving as much as they would be during the rut, the kids should have a good chance to set up on a known area and get an opportunity to harvest a deer."
   The youth season is open to hunters 17 and younger who are accompanied in the field by an adult who is 18 or older. The adult is permitted to archery hunt while accompanying the youth hunter, but the adult may not hunt with a firearm.
   Youths have generally had good success during this early season, which is a testament to the mentors who are taking the youths hunting, allowing them be successful.
   Bartholomew urged mentors to take the youth hunters to scout out hunting areas before heading out on opening day.

   "This is a fun way to get your kids outside and to learn about deer hunting. Take them scouting, and make it an experience.
   "Point out the tracks, drop-pings, scrapes and rubs. Let them help you set up a blind, cut brush and conceal it. Make it a chance for them to learn about your passion for deer hunting!"
   As the parent of a young deer hunter, Bartholomew offered some tips from experience. "Make sure that you bring plenty of snacks and drinks to keep kids happy. I know snacks are important!
   "Also consider that the kids can move around a lot. Ground blinds are great for kids because they can mask a lot of movement that might otherwise spook the deer.
   "Make sure that you practice scenarios with a young hunter, such as shot placement and shooting from a blind. This will help those young hunters have success. And for them, success means they will want to do it again!
   "Remember, it is about passing on the traditions that we as adults enjoy so that they can do so in the future."
   Youth hunters may harvest two deer during youth deer gun season, and one of those may be antlered. A deer license is required for each deer hunted, which means youth hunters wanting to harvest two deer can buy three deer licenses (one antlered and two antlerless) to maximize their opportunity. Additionally, resident youth hunters who do not harvest a deer during the youth deer gun season may use their unfilled youth deer gun license during the regular deer gun season. Hunters who do harvest a deer during the youth deer gun season may buy another youth deer gun license and harvest a deer during the regular gun season.
   In specified counties, youth hunters may also harvest a turkey during youth deer gun season, provided they have the appropriate fall turkey license. See the "Oklahoma Hunting" regulations guide for details.
   Deer taken by hunters participating in youth deer gun season are included in the hunter's combined season limit (six deer, of which no more than two may be antlered). If a youth harvests a buck during the youth deer gun season, that youth can harvest another buck during either the regular gun season, archery season or muzzleloader season, for an overall total of two.
   Oklahoma youths 15 and younger are exempt from the purchase of a hunting license but must possess a youth deer gun license or apprentice-designated youth deer gun license or proof of exemption.
   Residents who are 16 or 17 years old must possess a hunting license or proof of exemption, plus a youth deer gun license for each deer hunted. A $5 youth hunting license or a $9 youth combination hunting and fishing license is available to 16 and 17-year-old residents, and resident youth deer gun licenses are $10.
   Youths can hunt with an apprentice-designated hunting license as long as they are accompanied by a licensed hunter who is 18 or older and hunter education certified or exempt from certification. For complete details on the apprentice-designated hunting license, consult page 11 of the current "Oklahoma Hunting" regulations guide.
   For complete information on youth deer gun season regulations, consult the current "Oklahoma Hunting" regulations guide online at wildlifedepartment.com, or in print at any hunting or fishing license vendor statewide.

Related articles

• Youth-only Deer Hunt Comes a Week Early - Oct. 16-17 (montanaoutdoor.com)

New Bowhunter

I have hunted with a rifle or shotgun my whole life and have always wanted to get into bow hunting.  Did not
know this would be the year when that would begin, but got a nice surprise from my oldest son last weekend.

We were meeting at a wilderness area in the Ozarks of Missouri to do some Fall turkey hunting.  He called me as we were driving down to tell me he had bought me this bow second hand.  I knew once I got one that I would be instantly adicted to shooting it, and indeed this has been the case.  On my way home from work on Monday, I picked up a decent target and some straw bales as a backstop.

I have shot every night as long as light and strength would allow.  At 20-25 yards I am putting arrows in a 5" group. It feels like the draw on the bow is perfectso I guess I am pretty lucky there.

I know I need more practice (a lot more!), but I am headed out in a bit to meet my other son and gonna sit in a ground blind and if by dumb luck a deer or turkey strays within that 20-25 yard threshhold, I am gonna send an arrow flying.

Part of my thrill about getting the bow is that I get to hunt more... a lot more.  I love being in the outdoors and this is just one more way to do it.

I have some pretty awesome kids I have to say, and only a small part of that assessment is that one of them bought me this bow!