Deer Hunting Safety Tips For Season Openers
November 5, 2008
LITTLE ROCK - Perhaps the most important aspects of deer hunting are safety and ethics. That’s especially true for the opening of Arkansas’s modern gun deer season this Saturday. If no one paid any attention to these, hunting of any kind would be too dangerous to continue. That’s why it’s so important to stress these factors about deer hunting.
Safe hunting is the responsibility of all hunters. Follow the tips listed below, and you will help make the Arkansas outdoors safer for all.
- Don’t rely on your gun’s safety. Treat all firearms as if they’re loaded and ready to fire.
- Never cross a fence, climb a tree or stand or jump a ditch with a loaded gun.
- Never hoist a loaded firearm into a stand.
- Never load or carry a loaded firearm until you are ready to use it. Always unload firearms before riding in any vehicle, including ATVs. Watch your muzzle so the other hunter doesn’t have to.
- Wear hunter orange so you can be seen. A blaze orange hat and at least 400 square inches of hunter orange above the waistline must be worn during all gun deer seasons. It must be worn at all times, not taken off once in the stand.
- Keep guns and ammunition separately and in locked storage.
- Don’t shoot unless absolutely sure of your target and what is beyond it.
- Know the range of your firearm. Remember, even a .22 rimfire can travel over 1-1/2 miles.
- Always be sure your gun barrel and action are clear of obstructions and only carry ammunition specifically intended for the firearm you’re using.
- Always carry handguns with the hammer down on an empty chamber.
- Avoid alcoholic beverages before and during shooting.
- Tell someone where you’re going and when you plan to return. If you move from one area to another advise someone.
- Dress for the weather. Take a GPS or compass to prevent getting lost.
- Carry a flashlight while walking through the hunting area before or after daylight.
Always follow these rules of ethics anytime you’re hunting:.
- Obey all the rules of safety and insist that those around you do the same.
- Obey all game laws and insist that those hunting with you do likewise.
- Do your best to acquire marksmanship and hunting skills that assure clean, sportsmanlike kills.
- Support conservation efforts that assure good hunting for future generations.
- Don’t be a slob. Keep your campsite neat and don’t offend others by openly displaying your kill on your vehicle.
- Pass along to other hunters, especially youngsters, the attitudes and skills essential to being a true outdoor sportsman.
- Make sure you have permission before hunting on private property.
 Most importantly, don’t forget to purchase your hunting license. Licenses may be purchased from dealers, and AGFC Regional Office, the Little Rock headquarters, online or over the phone. Online license purchasing is convenient, but make sure you don’t wait until the last minute to purchase your license online. When purchasing online, a receipt with a confirmation number will be produced. That receipt does not allow for big game hunting such as deer, turkey, bear, elk or alligator. The actual license must be in the hunter’s possession before they are allowed to hunt.Please allow for sufficient mailing time before processing on the Internet or by phone.Licenses may be purchase at www.agfc.com
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Primitive Weapons Deer Season Nears in Georgia
October 6, 2008
The weeklong primitive weapons deer-hunting season begins Saturday, Oct. 11. During the primitive weapons season, hunters may use archery equipment (including crossbows), muzzleloading shotguns (20 gauge or larger) and muzzleloading firearms (.44 caliber or larger).
Last year, more than 61,000 muzzleloader hunters harvested approximately 16,133 deer, increasing both the number of hunters and the number of harvested deer from the previous year.
The Department of Natural Resources’ John Bowers says, “Our primitive weapons deer season provides hunters the opportunity to hunt with traditional or inline black powder firearms or to continue hunting with archery gear. Hunters are allowed to hunt either-sex deer during this weeklong opportunity. Primitive weapons hunters have a wide variety of options depending on their personal choices and needs without being burdened by complex regulations.”
Participating hunters may harvest deer in counties open for firearms deer hunting. The season bag limit remains at 10 antlerless deer and two antlered bucks. One of the two antlered bucks must have at least four points (one inch or longer) on one side of the antlers.
All of Georgia’s public lands open to hunting are mapped out as a line map, topographical map and a color infrared map (with many larger areas divided up by tract for easier viewing) and now are easily accessible online at www.gohuntgeorgia.com . Search for maps by their geographic location or alphabetically by the name of the Wildlife Management Area, Natural Area or Heritage Preserve. These newly updated maps should serve as an excellent resource for hunters looking to plan their trips.
All hunters, including archers, must wear at least 500 square inches of daylight fluorescent orange above the waist during the primitive weapons season. Scopes and other optical sighting devices are considered legal for muzzleloading firearms and archery equipment. Georgia hunters must possess a primitive weapons license and a big game license to hunt deer during the primitive weapons season. To hunt in a wildlife management area, hunters must possess a WMA License.
Hunters may purchase licenses on the Internet at www.gohuntgeorgia.com or at one of the more than 1,000 license agents.
For more information on the primitive weapons deer season, visit www.gohuntgeorgia.com, contact the local Game Management Office or call 770-761-3045.
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Connecticut DEP Announces Opening Days of Upcoming Fall Firearms Hunting Seasons
October 6, 2008
The Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection has announced the Opening Days of upcoming fall firearms hunting seasons. Peak hunting occurs during early morning and late afternoon, primarily during the period from mid-October through mid-December.
The fall firearms turkey season opens statewide on Saturday, October 4 and will continue through October 31. The regular waterfowl season opens statewide on Wednesday, October 15 in both the north and south hunting zones. Small game hunting season opens at 7:00 a.m. on Saturday, October 18 for pheasant, bobwhite quail, ruffed grouse, chukar partridge, crow and cottontail rabbit. Statewide firearms deer hunting season begins Wednesday, November 19. The 2008 Connecticut Hunting and Trapping Guide and the 2008-2009 Migratory Bird Hunting Guide, which contain additional information on laws, regulations, and season dates, can be obtained at any town clerk or Wildlife Division office, or they can be found on the DEP website at www.ct.gov/dep. Maps denoting many state-owned hunting areas and most permit-required hunting areas may be obtained, free-of-charge, from the DEP Wildlife Division’s office at the DEP Headquarters, located at 79 Elm Street in Hartford. Maps can also be found on the DEP website.
Small Game Season and Permit-required Information
With the exception of opening day (October 18,) small game hunting is allowed for most species from one-half hour before sunrise until one-half hour after sunset. Waterfowl hunting is permitted from one-half hour before sunrise until sunset.
In addition to most state forests and wildlife management areas, small game hunting will be available on a number of areas established under the permit-required hunting program. Permit-required areas are open to public hunting via a daily permit system and are made available through the cooperation of private landowners and local sportsmen’s clubs. Hunting access to some state-owned properties also is controlled on a daily basis through the permit-required program. A designated number of daily permits are available on a first-come, first-serve basis for each day of the season. Permits may be requested up to two days in advance of the day that you wish to hunt. A special “seasonal” access permit for Junior Hunters, aged 12-15, will continue to be available for selected areas. The permit allows access during any day of the season for a Junior Hunter and accompanying adult licensed hunter without the need to obtain daily hunting permits. Further details and permit forms are available from the DEP website or designated permit agents.
Sportsmen wishing to hunt any designated permit-required hunting area should consult the 2008 Connecticut Hunting and Trapping Guide for locations of vendors issuing daily permits. Changes in permit vendor locations include the following:
Hebron Area - DEP Eastern District HQ, 209 Hebron Road, Marlborough
East Windsor/Enfield - Riverview Sales, 4 Prospect Hill Road, East Windsor
NU-Kings Island - Riverview Sales, 4 Prospect Hill Road, East Windsor
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Permit Restrictions Removed for Some Permit-required Areas
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In an effort to increase opportunities for more sportsmen on quality hunting areas, daily permit restrictions have been removed on five areas under DEP ownership. Continuing this fall, daily permits are not required for small game hunting on Babcock Pond WMA (Colchester), Bear Hill WMA (Bozrah), Goshen WMA (Goshen), Higganum Meadows WMA (Haddam), and Nathan Hale State Forest (Coventry). This change is reflected in the 2008 Hunting Guide.Pheasant Prospects Remain Good; Tags Now Available for Sale
The DEP will purchase 14,742 adult ring-necked pheasants for the upcoming fall season; a decrease of 1,115 birds from the previous year’s purchase. Most stocking areas will receive adjustments in allocations as a result of the decrease in the number of birds purchased. In addition to adult pheasants, 844 eight-week-old pheasants were purchased and delivered to Norwich Fish and Game and Sprague Rod and Gun Clubs for eventual release on permit-required hunting areas.
Revenue collected from pheasant hunters in the previous year determines the annual budget for purchasing pheasants. The 2008 stocking program was directly affected by a decrease of approximately $4,000 in the net revenue collected from pheasant hunters in 2007, combined with a substantial annual increase in average pheasant costs. Rising fuel and grain costs continue to impact commercial growers.
Despite the reduction in the number of pheasants stocked, sportsmen should recognize that the ratio of pheasants stocked per hunter has actually increased over the years and the prospects for pheasant hunting are as good as they have been in several years.
Stocking Areas Maintained - Limited Stocking During Deer Season Opener
A total of 44 major public hunting areas will be stocked with pheasants during the 2008 fall season. A number of lower quality/lower public use areas were removed from the stocking list in 2007 in an effort to maintain sufficient allocations on the higher quality sites. The Natchaug State Forest in Eastford, Nye Holman State Forest in Ellington, Shenipsit State Forest in Stafford, and the Tanney Hill Block of Nehantic State Forest in Lyme will not be stocked in 2008.
A limited number of pheasants and areas will be stocked during the week of November 17, which includes opening day (November 19) of the statewide firearms deer hunting season. Stocking will occur two to three times per week during the other six weekly distribution periods. Pheasants will be nearly evenly distributed with one-half of the allocations released in October and one-half during November. All stocking will conclude by Thanksgiving Day.
To provide opportunities for weekend/family and youth hunters, volunteers for the DEP will release pheasants on Friday evenings and variable Saturdays on selected sites.
Cooperative sportsmen’s clubs that provide public hunting access to permit-required hunting areas will continue to stock state-purchased birds on several areas.
For additional details, such as area allocations and an updated listing of all major stocking areas, visit the DEP website at www.ct.gov/dep. Sportsmen are reminded that, in addition to their firearms hunting license, a Pheasant Harvest Tag Series ($14 for 10 tags) is required to hunt pheasants on public lands. Tags have been available since September and can be purchased at town halls and some license agents. Tags may also be ordered through the DEP’s on-line licensing system www.ct.gov/dep/sportsmenlicensing, but hunters should allow at least one week for the tags to be mailed to them.
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New Off-highway Vehicle Riding Restrictions During 2008 Deer Hunting Season
September 26, 2008
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Commissioner Mark Holsten announced new restrictions for off-highway vehicles (OHV) to be in effect during part of the 2008 deer hunting season.
The Commissioner’s Order effects recreational riding on DNR forest trails but does not impact OHV use for big game hunting. Vehicles affected by the restrictions include all terrain vehicles, off road motorcycles, and off road vehicles such as jeeps and four-wheel-drive trucks that are not being used in conjunction with deer hunting by a licensed deer hunter.
The purpose of the restriction is to protect recreational OHV riders from potentially unsafe riding conditions and, to minimize conflicts between deer hunters seeking a quiet deer hunting experience and recreational riders who may inadvertently interrupt the hunt.
In the northeastern Minnesota 100 Series deer season, the recreational riding restriction will be in effect Nov. 8 through Nov. 23. In the Minnesota 200 Series deer season, the recreational riding restriction will be in effect Nov. 8 through Nov. 16. See the 2008 deer season map at www.dnr.state.mn.us/hunting/deer/index.html
There are no recreational OHV trails in southeastern Minnesota that remain open during the deer season so no additional restrictions are necessary in the southern part of the state.
This new restriction is in addition to the restricted hours of use that have been in effect in previous years. Deer hunters possessing a valid deer hunting license can operate an OHV 1) before legal shooting time (one-half hour before sunrise), 2) from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., and 3) after legal shooting hours (one-half hour after sunset).
While many recreational OHV riders have voluntarily opted not to ride forest trails during deer hunting and small game seasons, OHV riding has become a year-around sport for many. That’s why Commissioner Holsten, reminds everyone who visits state forests in the fall to always consider safety first.
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Hunters Should Be Aware of Nebraska Waterfowl Blind, Deer Stand Regulations
September 18, 2008
LINCOLN, Neb. – Fall hunting seasons are starting soon and hunters should understand regulations pertaining to the use of waterfowl blinds and deer stands.
Ted Blume, administrator of the Nebraska Game and Parks Commissions Law Enforcement Division, said daily waterfowl blinds may be installed on state recreation areas (SRA) and wildlife management areas (WMA) unless otherwise posted. Hunters are responsible for removing those blinds at the end of each hunting day. Hunting blinds and other personal property remaining on a SRA or WMA following the close of hunting each day can be impounded.
Seasonal blinds for waterfowl hunting may be installed and used at Clear Creek WMA at the west end of Lake McConaughy and designated portions of Lake McConaughy SRA; Enders Reservoir WMA, Swanson Reservoir WMA, Red Willow Reservoir WMA, Medicine Creek Reservoir WMA, Elwood Reservoir WMA, Sherman Reservoir WMA, Merritt Reservoir WMA, Calamus Reservoir WMA, and Whitetail WMA in Colfax County. Contact the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for special regulations at Lewis and Clark WMA.
Seasonal blinds on WMAs must legibly display, on the door, the name and address of the owner. The door must be constructed so that it can be opened at all times when not in use. Commission personnel may remove locked blinds at the owners expense.
Blume said just because someone owns a blind they leave on a state-owned area doesnt mean the owner has exclusive rights to its use. The first person to occupy a blind each day is entitled to occupy and use the blind for that day, regardless of who owns it.
Deer hunters may place portable deer stands on WMAs, but must remove them no later than 15 days following the close of the deer hunting season. The first person to occupy a portable deer stand is entitled to occupy that tree stand for that day.
Portable tree stands used on SRAs must be removed at the end of each hunting day. Portable tree stands not removed daily from SRAs are subject to removal by Commission employees.
Permanent or semi-permanent tree stands that attach to any tree with nails, screws, bolts or wire are illegal to use on SRAs or WMAs.
“The blind and stand regulations have been implemented to allow fair and equitable use of hunting areas on the limited state-owned lands available,” Blume said.
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North Dakota Youth Deer Hunting Season Opens Sept. 12
August 28, 2008
North Dakota’s youth-only deer hunting season opens for 14- and 15-year-old first-time hunters Friday, Sept. 12 at noon, and continues through Sunday, Sept. 21.
The season is statewide, except for restricted licenses and units in western North Dakota. After opening day, hunting hours are one-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset. Solid daylight fluorescent orange vests or coats, and hats are required for all youth deer season hunters and their adult mentors.
Each youth deer hunter must be under direct supervision of an adult while in the field.
In addition to the deer license, hunters must possess a general game and habitat license and hunting certificate.
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Massachusetts Antlerless Deer Permit Deadline-July 16, Permit Drawing Event-July 31
July 3, 2008
Deer hunters, don’t wait in line; apply on time! Deer hunters are reminded that in order to take antlerless deer during any deer hunting season, they must possess an antlerless deer permit. The July 16 antlerless deer permit application deadline is fast approaching. Antlerless deer permit applications are found on paper licenses bought over the counter. Internet license buyers need to access the MassOutdoors website and apply on-line. Only online license holders may apply for a permit through MassOutdoors. Antlerless deer permit applications delivered to the Field Headquarters after 4:30 PM or postmarked after July 16 will not be accepted. MassWildlife cautions deer hunters to refrain from assuming large quantities of over-the-counter permits will be available after permits are sent out.
Every year MassWildlife holds a public drawing to determine who will receive an Antlerless Deer permit for particular hunting zones throughout the state. The Antlerless Deer Permit Drawing will take place on July 31 beginning at 5 PM at the Lenox Sportsman’s Club, 258 New Lenox Rd, Lenox. For the first time, the Gun Owner’s Action League is partnering with MassWildlife on a new format for this event which includes a Game Recipe Contest, a presentation on deer management in Massachusetts, drawing the Antlerless Deer Permit numbers and announcing the Game Recipe Contest Winners. Proceeds from the Game Recipe Contest will benefit the Massachusetts Junior Conservation Camp. For more details on the event including Recipe Contest registration, visit the Gun Owner’s Action League Website at www.goal.org.
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L.D.W.F. and Bowie Outfitters To Hold Deer Scoring and Measuring Event on May 10
May 9, 2008
The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries in cooperation with Bowie Outfitters, in Baton Rouge, is conducting a deer scoring and measuring event this Saturday, May 10 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Bowie Outfitters is located at 8630 Perkins Road.
Attendees are encouraged to bring their deer heads and racks from the 2007-08 deer season to have them measured and scored based upon the Boone & Crockett (B&C) and Pope & Young (P&Y) scoring systems. Official scorers from both B&C and P&Y will be on hand to do the measuring.
Deer that score at least 130 B&C will qualify for listing in the Louisiana Big Game Recognition Program. Louisiana is currently in its 6th Recognition Program period that includes the 2007-09 hunting seasons.Â
Youth hunters 15 years of age and younger can also document their 2007-08 deer hunting season and 2008 turkey hunts with the Louisiana Youth Hunter Registry Program at this May 10 event in Baton Rouge. Â
The LDWF Deer Program and the Louisiana Big Game Records Program created the Youth Hunter Registry Program to recognize youth hunters and promote hunting. The Louisiana Outdoors Writers Association (LOWA) also recognizes the Male and Female Youth Hunters of the Year at their annual conference in October.
Other measuring and scoring events will be held over the upcoming months. Anyone with a trophy deer that may score high enough to receive recognition should attend and have their deer officially scored.
For more information about the Youth Hunter Registry Program or the Louisiana Big Game Recognition Program, please visit LDWF’s Web site at www.wlf.louisiana.gov/hunting/biggamehunts.
For more information, contact Adam Einck at 225-765-2465 or aeinck [at] wlf [dot] louisiana [dot] gov.
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