Details are published in the 2009 Fall Deer and Turkey Hunting Regulations and Information booklet.

2009/11/11–Hunters in most parts of Missouri will find plenty of deer when the November Portion of Firearms Deer Season opens Nov. 14, but they need to check out changes in hunting regulations before the season starts.

This year’s firearms deer season includes 42 days in six portions:

§ Urban. Oct. 9-12

§ Early youth, Oct. 31-Nov. 1

§ November, Nov. 14-24

§ Antlerless, Nov. 25-Dec. 6

§ Muzzleloader, Dec. 19-29 and

§ Late youth, Jan. 2-3.

Hunters should note that the order of the antlerless and muzzleloader portions is reversed this year compared to what it has always been in the past. Other changes include:

§ Young hunters must be at least 6 years old to obtain landowner hunting permits.

§ Reduced-cost nonresident landowner permits no longer are available.

§ When mentoring a firearms hunter who is not hunter-education certified and not hunting on a landowner permit, all mentors, including landowners on their own land, must be at least 18 years old and hunter-education certified unless they were born before Jan. 1, 1967.

§ Qualifying nonresident students may purchase resident permits, except lifetime permits.

§ New areas with antler-point restrictions include Ste. Genevieve County and the parts of Cass and Jefferson counties not included in the new urban deer zones.

§ The part of Franklin County in the St. Louis Urban Deer Zone no longer is under the antler-point restriction.

§ Legal air-powered firearms may be used during firearms managed deer hunts.

§ Deer hunting seasons and methods are restricted on some conservation areas this year, and some area regulations have changed.

Details of these changes are explained in the 2009 Fall Deer and Turkey Hunting Regulations and Information booklet, which is available wherever hunting permits are sold. The same information is available at www.mdc.mo.gov/13924.

Resource Scientist Lonnie Hansen says hunters will find deer plentiful throughout most of Missouri this year. Furthermore, he said they will find more mature bucks in much of the state, thanks to a regulation that went into effect in 2004. That is when the Missouri Department of Conservation implemented the “four-point rule.”

Under the regulation, hunters in 29 counties in northwest and central Missouri have not been allowed to take antlered deer unless they have at least four points measuring 1 inch or larger on one side of their antlers. Few deer achieve this degree of antler development before they are 2.5 years old. In effect, the antler-point restriction is a minimum age limit, giving bucks time to mature and grow larger antlers. They also gain experience, making them more wary and challenging to hunt.

Long-term studies show that white-tailed deer bucks’ antlers attain only 25 to 35 percent of their maximum size when they are 1.5 years old. The figure increases to 60 percent for 2.5-year-olds. Three and one-half-year-old bucks’ antlers are 75 to 80 percent of maximum size, while those 4.5 years old grow antlers that are 90 to 95 percent as large as they ever will grow.

Hansen said the total number of deer taken by hunters typically decreases the first year that antler-point restrictions are in effect in a particular area. However, the number of does taken may increase, improving the Conservation Department’s ability to control deer numbers. The total number of deer taken in antler-point restriction areas gradually climbs back to nearly its previous level as antlered deer mature and grow larger antlers, making them legal for hunters to shoot.

Hansen points to the ages of deer taken by hunters in counties with the antler-point restriction four years after the rule went into effect. The number of 2.5-year-old deer was up 20 percent compared to counties without the restriction. The number of 3.5-year-old deer was 62 percent greater in antler-point restriction counties, and the number of 4.5-year-old deer was up an astonishing 202 percent.

“You have to be a bit cautious about the big differences in 3.5- and 4.5-year-olds,” said Hansen. “The number of deer that hunters take in those age classes is small, so even a modest difference in the absolute number of deer shot translates into a big percentage difference. Nevertheless, a significant difference is attributable to the antler-point restriction.”

Not surprisingly, hunters who focus on mature bucks have been enthusiastic promoters of the four-point rule. This popular support has encouraged the Conservation Department to expand the regulation to 65 counties and parts of three more.

The Conservation Department reminds hunters that Missouri’s population of black bears, while still small, is growing. That means more hunters are likely to encounter bears.

Black bears are naturally shy and avoid human contact. If you see a bear, do not make eye contact. Back away slowly while speaking in a normal voice. If a bear visits your hunting camp in search of food, get in a vehicle and make noise to frighten the bear away. Always report bear encounters to the nearest Conservation Department office.

The Conservation Department also urges hunters to buy firewood locally and burn it before leaving their hunting areas. Moving firewood from place to place can spread devastating forest pests, such as the emerald ash borer and the gypsy moth.

This year’s abundance of firearms deer hunting opportunities represents an amazing change for those who remember the early days of modern deer hunting in Missouri. There was no deer hunting season from when the newly created Missouri Department of Conservation began deer-restoration work in 1937 until 1944. In the early years, the season was for bucks only and lasted just two days. Only 20 counties were open to deer hunting, and the season always was held in November.

As deer numbers grew, the Conservation Commission lengthened the season. The state’s deer population eventually grew large enough to justify a second season for hunters using muzzle-loading firearms. This season extended firearms deer hunting into early December.

By the 1990s, the number of deer in some areas grew large enough to create problems with crop damage and deer-vehicle accidents. This called for deer hunting regulations aimed at reducing deer numbers or maintaining them at desired levels, rather than increasing them. Shooting does is the key to controlling deer numbers, and this fact led to the first-ever antlerless-only deer season in January of 1997. The Conservation Commission later moved the antlerless season into December, following the muzzleloader season. This year, for the first time, the antlerless hunt will follow immediately on the heels of the regular November season, and the muzzleloader hunt will take place in late December, followed by the late youth portion of deer season in January.

The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission has set deer season openings for 2010 but subject to change in case of emergencies. These opening dates are: Archery: Friday, Oct. 1, 2010. Muzzleloader: Saturday, Oct. 16, 2010. Modern Gun: Saturday, Nov. 13, 2010.

10/28/2009 – The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) today announced two additional opportunities when hunters may obtain Deer Management Permits for the upcoming big game seasons.

Deer Management Permits allow hunters to harvest antlerless deer and are issued for specific Wildlife Management Units across the state to control deer populations (For locations of these WMUs, check the 2009-10 Hunting and Trapping Regulations Guide or the DEC’s website.)

Approximately 21,000 Deer Management Permits (DMPs) will be issued to hunters who were previously denied permits earlier this year during the initial DMP application period that ended on Oct. 1. Also, leftover DMPs will be available in several Wildlife Management Units (WMUs) beginning Nov. 1.

Previously denied applicants:

To issue the remaining 21,000 DMPs, DEC randomly selected recipients among applicants who were previously denied DMPs in some affected WMUs during the initial application period. An average of 20 percent of the hunters previously denied permits in the units listed below will receive a DMP through the mail:

3C, 3F, 3G, 3H, 3J, 3K, 3N
4A, 4F, 4G, 4H, 4O, 4P, 4R, 4S, 4T, 4W, 4Y
5R, 5S
6A, 6C, 6G, 6K, 6P, 6R, 6S
7A, 7H, 7J, 7P
8R, 8T, 8X, 8Y
9G, 9H, 9J, 9K, 9N, 9P, 9R, 9S, 9T, 9X, 9Y

Selection for one of these permits will not affect any preference points issued to hunters who were not selected for their first choice area during the original application period.

Additional DMP Opportunity:

In addition, DEC will also reopen the DMP application process starting Nov. 1 on a first-come, first-served basis for WMUs that have not reached target totals during the random selections. DMP applications will be accepted for the following WMUs: 1C, 3M, 3R, 3S (bowhunting-only), 8A, 8F, 8G, 8H, 8J, 8N, 9A, and 9F.

Hunters may apply for up to two leftover DMPs in these units at any DEC license sales outlet beginning Nov. 1. Hunters are encouraged to obtain the additional permits to take antlerless deer from these units and use the Venison Donation program (http://www.venisondonation.com/) to help provide food for families in need. Leftover DMPs will not be available by phone, by mail or via the internet. During this extended application period, DEC will issue DMPs for an individual WMU all day once a WMU is opened for leftover issuance. The status of permits will be reviewed daily, and any filled units will be removed from the list of those available with no further applications accepted for those units. Applicants who previously paid the $10 application fee or are exempt from the application fee will not be charged for this additional application.

Commissioner Grannis also encouraged New Yorkers to consider purchasing a Habitat/Access Stamp, an optional stamp that helps support the DEC’s efforts to conserve habitat and increase public access for fish and wildlife-related recreation. This year’s stamp features a drawing of a pair of red fox. Buying a $5 stamp is a way to help conserve New York’s fabulous wildlife heritage.

Individuals can also enhance DEC’s fish and wildlife programs through “Return A Gift To Wildlife” – a voluntary contribution line on the state income tax form to provide every taxpayer with an easy, simple way to support fish and wildlife conservation. Any whole dollar amount may be contributed whether taxes are owed or a refund is due, and all contributions are tax-deductible on the following year’s return.

According to the 2009 Michigan Hunting and Trapping Guide, snares may be used for taking beaver Dec. 1 through March 31. That information is incorrect. Snares may now be used throughout the season.

All additional information concerning cable sizes and allowable sets in the guide are correct.

Indiana waterfowl hunters have a lot to be excited about this year, according to DNR waterfowl biologist Adam Phelps.

“Conditions have been good this year on the northern prairies for breeding ducks, much wetter than last year. This is important because more water equals more ducks. Indiana’s breeding Canada geese have also had a strong breeding season due to favorable weather,” Phelps said.

Phelps, however, also cautioned that waterfowl hunting in Indiana is weather-dependent.

“As a migration state, Indiana needs strong cold fronts from the north to push ducks to us. Without strong fronts, ducks are more likely to trickle south a few at a time, rather than in the big pushes we like to see.”

An estimated 17,466 duck hunters harvested approximately 118,500 ducks in Indiana last season. The top five duck species in Indiana were: mallard, 72,400; wood duck, 16,500; gadwall, 6,900; green-winged teal, 5,200; and blue-winged teal, 3,900. An estimated 14,581 goose hunters harvested approximately 67,700 Canada geese.

Waterfowl hunting season in Indiana is divided into three zones: North, South and Ohio River. Each zone has different a season for ducks and Canada geese. Light (snow/Ross) geese, brant and white-fronted geese are regulated statewide.

The North zone is defined as that part of Indiana north of a line extending east from the Illinois border along Indiana 18 to U.S. 31; north along U.S. 31 to U.S. 24; east on U.S. 24 to Huntington; and southeast on U.S. 224 to the Ohio border. Duck season in the North zone is Oct. 17, 2009 – Dec. 15, 2009. Canada goose seasons are Oct. 17, 2009 – Oct. 18, 2009, and Nov. 7, 2009 – Jan. 17, 2010.

The South Zone is that portion of the state south of the North zone boundary and north of the Ohio River zone. Duck seasons in the South zone are Oct. 24, 2009 – Nov. 1, 2009, and Nov. 25, 2009 – Jan. 14, 2010. Canada goose seasons are Oct. 24, 2009 – Nov. 1, 2009, and

Nov. 25, 2009 – Jan. 28, 2010.

The Ohio River zone is that portion of the state south of a line extending east from the Illinois border along Interstate 64 to New Albany; east on Indiana 62 to Indiana 56; east on Indiana 56 to Vevay; along Indiana 156 along the Ohio River to North Landing; north on Indiana 56 to U.S. 50; and northeast on U.S. 50 to the Ohio border. Duck seasons in the Ohio River Zone are Oct. 31, 2009 – Nov. 1, 2009, and Nov. 28, 2009 – Jan. 24, 2010. Canada geese seasons are Oct. 31, 2009 – Nov. 1, 2009, and Nov. 21, 2009 – Jan 31, 2010.

The daily bag limit for ducks is six. This includes any combination of goldeneyes, ruddy ducks, ring-necked ducks, buffleheads, gadwalls, long-tailed ducks, scoters, teal, wigeon and shovelers. There are additional bag limit restrictions on numerous duck species. Review these restrictions online at

http://www.in.gov/dnr/fishwild/3569.htm.  The possession limit for Canada geese, white-fronted geese and brant is two times the daily limit. There is no possession limit for light geese.

The statewide season for Light (snow/Ross) geese is Oct. 17, 2009 – Jan. 29, 2010, with a daily bag limit of 20 and no possession limit. Brant season is Oct. 17, 2009 – Jan. 29, 2010 with a daily limit of one and a possession limit of two. White-fronted geese season is Nov. 7, 2009 – Jan. 31, 2010, with a daily limit of one and a possession limit of two.

The youth waterfowl seasons are also zone specific. The North zone season is Oct. 10, 2009 – Oct. 11, 2009, South zone is Oct. 17, 2009 – Oct. 18, 2009, and Ohio River is Oct. 24, 2009 – Oct. 25, 2009. The youth seasons are open to hunters 15 years of age or younger. To participate, youths must be accompanied by an adult at least 18 years of age. An adult may accompany more than one youth. The accompanying adult may not hunt waterfowl that day (except snow geese or brant when and where the season is open). Bag and species limits are the same as those allowed in the regular season.

A hunter must possess a hunting license, resident youth consolidated hunting license, disabled American veteran’s hunting license, or lifetime hunting license in addition to a state waterfowl stamp privilege and HIP registration number. Any hunter 16 years or older must have a signed federal duck stamp when hunting ducks and geese.  Resident landowners or lessees, hunting on farmland they own or lease, are exempt from the state license requirement except that a federal duck stamp and HIP registration are still required.

See www.wildlife.IN.gov for additional waterfowl hunting regulations.

Other than on opening days, the hunt begins a half hour before sunrise.

Northern Zone: Opens at 9 a.m. Sept. 26 through Nov. 24.

Southern Zone: A split season opens at 9 a.m. Oct. 3 through Oct. 11 and reopens at 9 a.m. Oct. 17 through Dec. 6.

“Wisconsin waterfowlers should have a good hunting season,” said Kent Van Horn, migratory game bird ecologist for the state Department of Natural Resources. “Overall, continental populations of waterfowl game species are healthy and abundant.”

Bag limits
The daily bag limit is six ducks in total, not to include more than four mallards of which only one may be a hen, three wood ducks, one black duck, two redheads, two scaup, one canvasback, and one pintail. Two important federal regulation changes from 2008 are that the canvasback season is open for 60 days and the scaup season will allow a 2-bird daily bag for the entire 60 days. These changes are in response to good breeding conditions and increased duck populations recorded during the 2009 continental waterfowl surveys.

The daily bag limit for mergansers is five to include no more than two hooded mergansers. The daily bag limit for coot is 15.

“Breeding and brood rearing habitat in Wisconsin was about average this spring, but lately conditions have become drier,” said Van Horn. “As always, hunters who do the early legwork – scouting for good wetland conditions, current duck use, and securing landowner permissions, will be the ones having a good hunt.”

Many of the ducks harvested in Wisconsin come from birds that breed in the state’s wetlands.

“The four most abundant ducks in Wisconsin’s fall hunting harvest are mallards, wood ducks, green-winged teal and blue-winged teal,” Van Horn said.

Licenses and stamps
Licenses and stamps required include a Wisconsin small game license, a Wisconsin waterfowl stamp and a federal migratory bird stamp. The $15 federal stamp can be purchased at a post office or hunters have the option of purchasing the federal stamp at license vendors for a $2.50 surcharge. The purchase will be noted on their license and the stamp itself will arrive weeks later in the mail. State licenses, permits, and stamps are also available through the Wisconsin Online Licensing Center.

Harvest Information Program
Waterfowl hunters must also register each year with the federal Harvest Information Program (HIP), which places them on a list of hunters that may receive a mailing asking them to provide a summary of their waterfowl harvest. They are also reminded of the new law which allows “mentored” hunting opportunities for 10-11 year olds or anyone who has not yet taken Hunter Education.

Bag checks will be performed at select hunting locations in the state again this fall. Avian influenza testing will also occur at these sites.

Additional information is available on the Waterfowl in Wisconsin pages of the DNR Web site and in the 2009 Wisconsin Fall Hunting and Trapping Forecast.

September Canada Goose Season

The September Canada goose season will be held in the North Zone (portion of the state north of Interstate 95) from September 8 – 30, 2009.  The season in the South Zone (portion of the state south of Interstate 95) will run from September 15 – 30, 2009. The daily bag limit remains at 15 geese. A new change for 2009 is the allowance of unplugged shotguns during the September goose season only. This should result in greater harvest of resident geese.

The September goose season provides the opportunity to harvest resident Canada geese that breed and spend the majority of their lives in Connecticut. The season is scheduled at a time when most migrant geese have not yet entered the state. Connecticut’s growing resident goose population continues to cause substantial nuisance problems. The September season affords the opportunity to harvest these birds.

Ducks, Mergansers, and Coots

Bag limits for some duck species have been changed for the 2009-2010 season. The canvasback breeding population was high enough in 2009 to allow for a 1-bird daily bag limit in the Atlantic Flyway. The scaup bag limit will be increased to 2 birds per day for the entire duck season. The scaup breeding population was up this year and the increased harvest level is in accordance with the current scaup harvest strategy.

The North Zone early duck season opens October 14 and runs through October 24, 2009. The South Zone early season opens October 14 and runs through October 19, 2009. The late North Zone season will be November 13, 2009, through January 9, 2010. The late South Zone season will be November 21, 2009, through January 23, 2010.

The sea duck season in the sea duck zone (coastal areas and streams seaward of the first upstream bridge) has been set for September 22, 2009, to January 23, 2010. Due to continued concern over the status of sea duck populations and increasing hunting pressure, the total sea duck bag limit remains at 5.

The Atlantic brant season will be 50 days with a 2-bird daily bag limit. An extremely late spring in the Arctic breeding grounds will result in very little production of Atlantic brant this year. A more conservative approach to harvest was warranted.

Legal shooting hours for all waterfowl hunting (except for the September Canada goose season) are from one-half hour before sunrise to sunset.

The DEP Wildlife Division’s Migratory Gamebird Program is collecting scaup, mergansers, and Atlantic brant for avian influenza testing. Hunters who are willing to donate fresh birds (within 24 hours of harvest) should contact the Migratory Gamebird Program at 860-642-7239 (Monday through Friday, from 8:30 AM-4:30 PM). Arrangements will be made to get carcasses from hunters.

Regular and Late Canada Goose Seasons

For the 2002-2003 hunting season, the existing North Atlantic Population (NAP) Canada goose hunt zone was split into two zones, the NAP L-Unit and the NAP H-Unit. These zones were created to exert more harvest pressure on resident geese in areas where there are persistent nuisance problems. These zones were changed for the 2008-2009 hunting season to account for changes in distribution of migrant and resident Canada geese. The NAP L-Unit was removed, and a new zone, the Atlantic Flyway Resident Population (AFRP) zone, was created. The same units are in place for the 2009-2010 season. The descriptions of the AFRP, NAP H-Unit, and AP (Atlantic Population) Unit are as follows:

AP Unit: Litchfield County and the portion of Hartford County, west of a line beginning at the Massachusetts border in Suffield and extending south along Route 159 to its intersection with Interstate 91 in Hartford, and then extending south along Interstate 91 to its intersection with the Hartford/Middlesex County line.

AFRP Unit: Starting at the intersection of Interstate 95 and the Quinnipiac River excluding the east shore, north on the Quinnipiac River to its intersection with Interstate 91, north on I-91 to Interstate 691, west on I-691 to the Hartford County line, and encompassing the rest of New Haven County and Fairfield County in its entirety.

NAP H-Unit: All of the rest of the state not included in the AP or AFRP descriptions above.

The AFRP unit will have an 80-day season with a 5-bird daily bag limit. The NAP H-Unit will have a 60-day season with a 2-bird bag limit. The NAP breeding population was still below the 2001-2005 average, which precluded a liberalization of the season in 2009-2010.

In the AFRP Unit, the regular goose season will contain 3 splits. The first split will run from October 1 – 27, 2009. The second split will run from November 13 – December 3, 2009. The final split will run from January 1 – February 15, 2010. The 3 allowable splits of the season will provide more opportunities for goose hunters in this unit. In the NAP H-Unit, the regular goose season, in both the North and South Zones, will have 2 splits. The first split will run from October 1 – 17, 2009, while the second split will run from November 24, 2009, to January 14, 2010.

The season in the AP Unit will remain at 45 days and also have 2 splits. The first split will run from November 2 – 7, 2009, while the second split will run from November 26, 2009, to January 9, 2010. The daily bag limit will be 3 geese. The Atlantic Population continues to recover. Production, however, for the AP looks to be poor in 2009. A fall flight in excess of one million birds is still expected.

Sportsmen also will have the opportunity to harvest resident Canada geese during the special late season (in the South Zone only) from January 15 – February 10, 2010. The bag limit during the late season is 5 geese, and no special permit is required for this season.

The dates for the snow goose season in the North Zone are October 1, 2009, to January 14, 2010, and from February 20 – March 10, 2010. In the South Zone, the snow goose season will run from October 1 – November 30, 2009, and then from January 6 – March 10, 2010.

Youth Waterfowl Hunting Training Days

Connecticut will hold two Youth Waterfowl Hunting Training Days on Saturday, October 10, and Monday, October 12, 2009. Participants must be 15 years of age or younger, possess a valid junior small game hunting license and a HIP permit, and be accompanied by an adult at least 18 years of age. Adults must possess a valid hunting license; however, they are not allowed to hunt waterfowl. Ducks, geese, mergansers, and coots may be hunted. Bag limits and shooting hours are the same as for the regular duck and goose hunting seasons.

Woodcock, Snipe, and Rail Seasons

Opening day for woodcock and snipe hunting will be October 30 and the season will run until November 28, 2009. The rail season will be split. The first split is from September 1 – 4, 2009 and the second split is from September 8 – 12, 2009. Bag limits for the 2009 season are the same as last year.

A Few Reminders

All waterfowl hunters are reminded that, in addition to obtaining a hunting license, they are required to obtain an annual Harvest Information Program (HIP) permit. Waterfowl hunters 16 years of age or older also are required to purchase a federal Duck Stamp and a Connecticut Duck Stamp. Federal Duck Stamps are available from many local post offices for $15.00. State Duck Stamps ($10.00) and HIP permits ($2.00) can be purchased at all Connecticut town clerks’ offices and online at www.ct.gov/dep/sportsmenlicensing.  With the new automated licensing system, the purchase of a State Duck stamp will appear as an authorization on one’s Conservation License.  If hunters want an actual CT Duck Stamp, they should contact DEP Licensing and Revenue at 860-424-3105.  A HIP permit also is required to hunt woodcock, snipe, coot, and rails. Hunters are reminded to please report waterfowl bands. Band return information provides vital information for the continued sound management of the waterfowl resource.

But the answer isn’t so simple.

The season bag limit is four deer, provided at least one deer is taken in one of the zones or areas listed below. No more than two may be legal bucks. Additional restrictions may apply within certain zones, wildlife management areas and national wildlife refuges.

The zones or areas where four deer may be taken are Deer Zones 12, 13, 14, 15 and 17, Beryl Anthony Lower Ouachita WMA, Big Timber WMA, Blevins WMA, Casey Jones WMA, Choctaw Island WMA, Crossett Experimental Forest WMA, Cut-Off Creek WMA, DeGray Lake WMA, Dr. Lester Sitzes III Bois D’Arc WMA, Falcon Bottoms Natural Area WMA, Felsenthal NWR, Gum Flats WMA, Hope Upland WMA, Howard County WMA, Lafayette County WMA, Lake Greeson WMA, Little Bayou WMA, Little River WMA, Nacatoch Ravines Natural Area WMA, Overflow NWR, Ozan WMA, Poison Springs WMA, Pond Creek NWR, Provo WMA, Sandhills Natural Area WMA, Seven Devils WMA, Spring Bank WMA, Sulphur River WMA, Terre Noire Natural Area WMA, Trusten Holder WMA, Two Bayou Creek WMA, Warren Prairie Natural Area WMA and White Cliffs Natural Area WMA.

The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission strongly suggests hunters study the 2009-2010 Hunting Guidebook before going into the field. Seek out the area where you will be hunting and read the rules for that area.

According to Ken Varland, DNR regional wildlife manager at New Ulm, hunters have expressed concerns about low deer populations in many portions of this area. In order to increase the herd, it was necessary to limit antlerless deer hunting opportunities.

“This year, all of southwestern Minnesota is designated as either youth-only antlerless or as lottery,” Varland said.

Eleven permit areas are youth-only antlerless, which means only youth younger than 18 who are successful in the lottery will be able to take an antlerless deer. All other hunters in these areas, including muzzleloader and archery hunters, are restricted to bucks only.

Deer permit areas 234, 237, 274, 275, 282, 283 and 284, 286, 288 and 289 are designated as youth only antlerless areas.

All other deer permit areas in the southwest are designated as Lottery, which means all adults, including muzzleloader hunters, are required to submit a lottery application by Sept. 10.

“Most southwestern deer hunters are used to submitting a lottery application,” Varland said. “Hunters should simply buy their license by the Sept. 10 deadline, and tell the agent which deer permit area they intend to hunt. They will automatically be placed in the drawing for an either-sex permit.”

A person can apply using either a firearm or muzzleloader license, but not both. Either-sex permits will then be distributed proportionately to the applications received and will be valid for only the season listed on the permit.

Hunters are encouraged to carefully review the deer hunting regulations in the 2009 Minnesota Hunting and Trapping Regulation Handbook prior to deciding where and how they wish to hunt.  Additional deer season information can be found at http://files.dnr.state.mn.us/outdoor_activities/hunting/deer/2009/info.pdf.

You might have a better chance at drawing a permit to hunt big game in Utah this fall.

Division of Wildlife Resources biologists are recommending an increase in the number of permits available for most species.

Now the biologists want your ideas about their recommendations.

Learn more, share your ideas

All of the DWR’s big game proposals are available at wildlife.utah.gov/public_meetings. Once you’ve read the proposals, you can share your thoughts and ideas one of two ways:

RAC meetings

Five Regional Advisory Council meetings will be held across Utah. Citizens representing the RACs will take the input received at the meetings to the Utah Wildlife Board. Board members will use the input when they meet in Salt Lake City on April 2 to approve permit numbers for Utah’s 2009 big game hunts.

You can participate and provide your input at any of the following meetings:

Southern Region
March 17
7 p.m.
Richfield High School
510 W. 100 S.
Richfield

Southeastern Region
March 18
6:30 p.m.
John Wesley Powell Museum
1765 E. Main St.
Green River

Northeastern Region
March 19
6:30 p.m.
Western Park, Room #1
302 E. 200 S.
Vernal

Central Region
March 24
6:30 p.m.
Springville Junior High School
165 S. 700 E.
Springville

Northern Region
March 25
6 p.m.
Brigham City Community Center
24 N. 300 W.
Brigham City

E-mail

You can also provide your comments to your RAC via e-mail. E-mail addresses for your RAC members are available at wildlife.utah.gov/public_meetings.

The group each RAC member represents (sportsman, non-consumptive, etc.) is listed under each person’s e-mail address. You should direct your e-mail to the people on the RAC who represent your interest.

Proposals

“Most of Utah’s big game animals are doing well,” says Anis Aoude, big game coordinator for the DWR. “And that’s great news for sportsmen. It means more permits can be offered this fall.”

The following are among the DWR’s recommendations:

Buck deer

The number of permits the state can offer for Utah’s general buck deer hunts each fall is decided by two factors.

One is the state’s permit cap. The cap does not allow more than 97,000 general buck deer permits to be offered each year.

The other is a requirement that deer herds have at least 15 bucks per 100 does.

A few years ago, the Utah Wildlife Board decreased buck deer permits by 1,000 permits each in both the Central and Northeastern regions. The board lowered the number of permits because the three-year buck-to-doe average in each region fell below the minimum of 15 bucks per 100 does.

Since then, the number of bucks has improved. Over the past three years, biologists have found an average of 16 bucks per 100 does in the Central Region. In the Northeastern Region, the herds have averaged 16 bucks per 100 does.

“Both regions have good numbers of bucks,” Aoude says. “We’d like to give more hunters a chance to hunt these bucks by returning 1,000 permits to each of the two regions.”

One region biologists do not want to add permits back to is the Northern Region.

“A lot of deer died in the Northern Region during the winter of 2007–2008,” Aoude says. “Even though the three-year buck-to-doe average across the region is good, the average on two of the units — the Cache and Ogden units — is down to about 10 bucks per 100 does.

“We’d like to maintain the current number of permits to help the deer in those two units rebound faster.”

Bull elk

On 26 of Utah’s 28 limited entry bull elk units, hunters are taking bull elk that are older than the age objective for the units. Because the units have plenty of big bulls, biologists are proposing that the number of limited entry bull elk permits be raised this year.

The biologists are proposing 2,760 limited entry bull elk permits for 2009. That’s up 13 percent from the 2,447 offered in 2008.

“There are plenty of big bulls on these units,” Aoude says. “We want to give a few more hunters a chance to enjoy hunting them.”

Permit recommendations

The following chart shows the number of permits that were available in 2008 and the number the DWR is recommending for 2009:

	2008	2009
General season buck deer	94,000	96,000
Premium limited-entry deer	191	188
Limited-entry deer	891	1,021
Limited-entry bull elk	2,447	2,760
Pronghorn antelope	945	1,026
Moose	184	147
Bison	172	121 or 152
Rocky Mountain goat	91	104
Desert bighorn sheep	36	37
Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep	23	24

The opening or closing date falling on Sunday, a situation that arose only every seven years, created confusion among hunters and presented problems with dates on printed materials that DNR publishes. This law was a carry-over from a time during which many people did not hunt on Sunday and when Sunday hunting of big game was actually prohibited in certain parts of the state. In the future, the season for all species of game will open on the date specified by law regardless of whether a Sunday is involved.

The 2009 wild turkey season runs April 1 through May 1 for all Wildlife Management Areas where turkey hunting is allowed and on private lands in 34 counties that make up Game Zones 1-5. Find out more about South Carolina Game Zones at: www.dnr.sc.gov/wma/index.html.

Get more information on wild turkeys including how to order turkey tags online, the 2009 Turkey Brochure, the 2008 Summer Turkey Brood Survey or the results from the 2008 spring gobbler season. Also get more information on turkey age and sex determination.

No turkey hunting is permitted on any Wildlife Management Area not listed in the spring turkey brochure. To obtain a copy by mail write: Spring Turkey Brochure, DNR, PO Box 167, Columbia, SC 29202, call the DNR Columbia office at (803) 734-3886.

Hunters are reminded that although they must still possess and use turkey tags, taking harvested turkeys to check stations is not required. Hunters will also notice that turkey tags now include security features that require the hunter to notch or mark the day and month of kill when tagging their gobbler.

DNR protects and manages South Carolina’s natural resources by making wise and balanced decisions for the benefit of the state’s natural resources and its people.

These Wildlife Management Units are located in all or portions of Albany, Broome, Chenango, Columbia, Delaware, Dutchess, Fulton, Greene, Herkimer, Montgomery, Oneida, Orange, Otsego, Putnam, Rensselaer, Saratoga, Schenectady, Schoharie, Sullivan, Ulster and Washington counties.

Beaver trapping is a key management tool used to control beaver populations. However, low beaver takes during the regular season sometimes necessitate the extension of the trapping season. During the special extended beaver trapping season, all pertinent trapping regulations still apply. These regulations cover types and sizes of traps, as well as where traps may be legally set. Beaver trappers must report their take on pelt possession cards and have their pelts sealed on or before the 10th day after the close of the season. Trappers should follow the instructions for obtaining pelt seals described in the New York Hunting and Trapping Regulations Guide.

Trappers should also note that the otter, mink and muskrat seasons remain closed in the units reopened to beaver, and no traps shall be set on or within 15 feet of beaver dams or lodges. Trigger regulations for body-gripping traps larger than nine inches (”330″ size traps) also apply.

WMUs are described in the 2008-2009 New York Hunting and Trapping Regulations Guide which is available at DEC Regional offices, anywhere licenses are sold or on DEC’s website: www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/37136.html. A WMU map is also available on DEC’s website: www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/8302.html.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) offers 37 public hunting areas statewide where hunters need only to “walk on” to hunt spring turkeys.

These hunts are made possible through the FWC’s partnerships with the state’s Division of Forestry, Florida’s water management districts, the U.S. Forest Service, Florida Department of Environmental Protection, the National Park Service and Department of Defense, who contribute their lands to the state’s public-hunting system.

Hunters need only a hunting license ($17 for residents, $46.50 for a nonresident 10-day license), management area permit ($26.50) and turkey permit ($5 for residents, $100 for nonresidents) to spring turkey hunt on the following areas.  These licenses and permits are available for purchase at county tax collectors’ offices and at most retail outlets that sell hunting and fishing supplies. Also, hunters can purchase them with a credit card by calling 888-486-8356 or online at www.wildlifelicense.com.

The spring turkey season runs March 7 – April 12 in the South Hunting Zone and March 21 – April 26 in the Central and Northwest zones, unless otherwise noted on the linked pages (Osceola | Eastern).  Shooting hours during spring turkey season on WMAs are one-half hour before sunrise to 1 p.m.

For more information on spring turkey hunting, or to download management area rules and maps, visit MyFWC.com/Hunting. Brochures also are available at tax collectors’ offices in counties close to the wildlife management areas.

The proposals cover a variety of areas pertaining to deer registration; deer licenses, deer zone descriptions, deer hunter selection, bear hunter selection and prairie chicken area designation.

“The majority of these rule changes are technical and have been in effect as temporary rules for the past several hunting seasons,” said Jason Abraham, DNR season setting specialist. “We are completing a process to make these rules permanent.”

A copy of the proposed rules will be published in the State Register and available online after Jan. 20. A copy of the proposed rules is also available on the DNR Web site.

Many of the rule changes were a result of simplifying deer hunting regulations. Those scheduled to be made permanent are:

• deer licenses for military personnel
• seasons and zones for taking deer by firearms
• zone descriptions for deer
• special hunt procedures
• either-sex permits and preference drawings
• taking deer by firearms or archery with early antlerless permits
• youth deer hunts
• youth special deer seasons
• bear permit procedures
• allow bear hunters second choice on application
• registration blocks
• prairie chicken permit area descriptions

Comments may be submitted to: Jason Abraham, Box 20, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, 500 Lafayette Road, St. Paul, MN 55155-4020 or by e-mailing Jason [dot] Abraham [at] dnr [dot] state [dot] mn [dot] us.

Instructor training classes offered soon

Have you ever wanted to pass the passion you have for hunting on to someone else?

You can by serving as a volunteer Hunter Education course instructor. The Division of Wildlife Resources will train new instructors over the next few weeks at locations across Utah.

“You can make an amazing difference in the lives of young people by volunteering to serve,” says Kirk Smith, assistant hunter education coordinator for the DWR.

“And don’t be concerned if you don’t have any experience teaching young people. We’ll teach you everything you need to know to be a good teacher.”

Dates and locations

The instructor training is free. More information about the training including dates and locations is available at www.wildlife.utah.gov/huntereducation/instructors.

After reaching that part of the site, scroll down to the “See schedule” selection at the bottom of the page. Dates and locations are available there.

“If you look at the schedule and you don’t see a training session in your part of the state, please call us,” Smith says. “If there’s enough interest in the area of the state where you live, we’ll put a training session together for you.”