DEER HUNTING

Wisconsin Deer Hunting History – Top Rated Deer Hunting Video Guide

2010-11-09T14:31:00.000-08:00

Wisconsin Deer Hunting History

An excellent way to learn and become motivated about deer hunting is to watch a well-made deer hunting video. Today, the market is loaded with some excellent presentations that are loaded with a wealth of information such as techniques and methods for scouting, setting up the stand, antler shedding, tracking a wounded animal, calling a deer and more. The great thing about a quality hunting video is that you have a firsthand view of a hunt in progress.

In addition, videos sold today are made for hunters of all skill level. Therefore, if you were a novice and need to learn virtually everything, you would choose a deer hunting video made just for beginners. On the other hand, if you have been hunting for years but want to learn some of the newer techniques or you have not been on a hunt in years and need a good refresher course, you would simply choose a hunting video for this level.

Remember, the following list offers only a few possibilities for the video selection available. If you want to find more, you could use any of the top search engines such as Google.com, Lycos.com or Yahoo.com and type in keywords for the type of video you want and for the appropriate skill level.

• Beyond the Kill – The producers of this hunting video put heart and soul into its making to make sure people would finishing watching and feel as if they learned something of value. Within this video is valuable insight into hunting big bucks, specifically in the states of Wisconsin, Iowa, and Illinois. One of the things that make this particular deer hunting video so unique is that filming started in the springtime all the way through the end of summer on both private and public lands. Wisconsin Deer Hunting History

• 100% Wild Fair Chase – This deer hunting video is produced by Drury Outdoors, which is set up so you literally are taken from the beginning to the end. The tutorial is comprehensive, covering all types of valuable information for hunting whitetail deer.

• Mastering the Art – Guide to Calling Deer – For some hunters, one of the toughest things to learn is good calling. Obviously, being able to make a call that sounds enough like a real deer to call the animals in requires practice and skill. In this deer hunting video, you will gain information on methods so you can develop the perfect deer call. Best of all, the video was made not just for beginners but also seasoned hunters.

• PrimeTime Bucks 9 – This hunting video is another in a series, which features skilled hunters of Mitch Hagen, Rick White and Greg Miller as they end up with successful kills of bucks with a gross of 175 and greater. With four hours of scouting and hunting action from their viewpoint, you will be amazed the entire time, especially when they spot a buck with a gross of 185! Wisconsin Deer Hunting History

• Real Hunting’s Iowa Giants – If you live or travel to the state of Iowa to hunt, this deer hunting video would be perfect for your collection. Sold as a two-disk series, you have the benefit of watching 40 hunts captured in a four-hour presentation. Iowa is well known for its outstanding whitetail deer and this video is a prime example of what hunters will see when spending time in this state.

• The Grind – The last deer hunting video we wanted to mention is The Grind, which was developed for hunters who prefer to use a bow. This video takes viewers to Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Illinois, Maryland and Wisconsin, covering scouting, stand setup and various hunting techniques throughout the entire season on private and public land. Wisconsin Deer Hunting History

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/outdoor-sports-articles/wisconsin-deer-hunting-history-top-rated-deer-hunting-video-guide-2620905.html

Sika Deer Hunting In Virginia – The Craft of Deer Stalking

2010-10-10T14:29:00.000-07:00

Sika Deer Hunting In Virginia

One of the most favourite big game hunting type of hunt would be deer stalking. This is also known to have other names such as deer hunting. This is actually one of the most popular kinds of hunting game that hunters have loved for ages. Sometimes hunters even go far places just to get into the adrenaline action.

However, the term deer stalking can have different meanings. For the American version, it is called deer hunting, in which hounds are usually used to hunt for deer and in the end shoot the deer down. However, in England, deer stalking refers to a different kind of activity. It usually pertains to the activity of stalking deer just to see their living status in the wild

The Craft Behind The Hunt

Using the term “stalking” would serve to denote the activity’s extreme wariness and stealth, which are usually needed when you approach a wild deer within their natural habitat. Hence, deer stalking is usually done with a gillie’s guidance. A gillie is someone you can regard as a resident expert. This practice is done both in the United States and Europe. Getting the help of a Gillie is important, especially if it’s your first time to do such kind of activity. Sika Deer Hunting In Virginia

Stalking As A Form Of Control

It is also considered as a form of control. Here what is being controlled would be the deer population. For stalking practices in Europe, population control of six deer species is aimed. These species would include: red deer, fallow deer, roe deer, Chinese water deer, muntjac, and sika deer. The first two are indigenous.

The Whole Idea Behind It All

The main idea why this kind of activity is done is to maintain equilibrium in nature. Doing so would involve keeping the deer population at a certain level. This level should be healthy and stable so that the whole species would not have a negative effect to nature. Harvesting 30% of the deer population has to be done every year in able to maintain this so-called healthy population level. If there is need for population reduction then females are to be targeted for culling. If there is no need for reduction, then only sick and injured ones are to be culled. Sika Deer Hunting In Virginia

Some Tips To Carry On

If you do decide to engage on deer stalking, one of the most important tip to remember is that approaching your deer is a very important step and factor that you should think about carefully. In general, the bedding or the place that which the deer considers to be “home” is the one you should target. However, you should be able to device a way that you can approach it with extreme caution. The unexpected path should also be considered if you do not want to scare your deer away.

Knowing where to find the bedding is also important. Although it may not be the same for all deer, there are certain places that are usually chosen as a bedding site. Low ridges are one of the favourites along with low lands near swamps, rivers and ponds.

One of the most common technique used to know which direction to go and stalk would be by following the direction of the wind. Do this by striking a match, putting out the fire and watching where the smoke goes. This would act like a deer stalking compass and points out which direction you should go and look. Sika Deer Hunting In Virginia

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/outdoor-sports-articles/sika-deer-hunting-in-virginia-the-craft-of-deer-stalking-2620954

4 Overlooked Whitetail Deer Hunting Tips and Tricks to Greatly Increase Your Odds

2010-09-14T14:24:00.000-07:00

Millions of hunters all over the United States eagerly await hunting season to apply deer hunting tips and tricks they have learned over the years. They are all excited to see who can shoot the biggest deer, or who can kill the deer with the largest rack. The following paragraphs will provide the reader with some basic tips and tricks associated with hunting for deer.

Firstly, many seasoned hunters will suggest that you do not bath or apply cologne or deodorant before hunting for deer. The deer have a keen sense of smell, and are deterred by our normal hygiene products. This is why you see so many men unshaven when they go deer hunting. They do not want to decrease their chances of shooting a deer by using hygiene products to shave. This also applies to laundry soaps. I like to hang my cloths outside on the line for a week or so depending on the weather. Then I keep my hunting cloths in an old cooler with pine bows and cut up apples.

Second, in order to increase your chances of shooting a deer, you need to avoid other hunters. It only makes sense. Deer do their best to avoid hunters. Areas overpopulated with hunters do not tend to have very many deer.You will very seldom see big whitetail deer where there is a lot of hunting pressure. Youtube Whitetail Deer Hunting Videos

Thirdly, another way to increase your chances of getting the deer you want is to change your deer stand or blind location periodically. Having multiple stand/blind locations will definitely be to your benefit. A whitetail will spook if they senses that you’re hanging out in one area too long. It only takes a big
whitetail one time to spook them out of an area. Also multiple stands allows you more options to hunt according the the wind direction.

Tip: Deer will travel according to the thermals. As the air warms up throughout the day your scent will rise uphill. Multiple stands will give you the opportunity to take advantage of positioning yourself in the best possible advantage points.

Finally, if you want to increase your chances of shooting a deer, you should hunt as long as possible, especially during the phases of the rut. Most deer are shot either at dawn or at dusk, however, during the rut the buck are moving all the time. Also most hunters have a hard time setting for long periods of time. So….between 9:00 am and 11:00am these guys will be starting to move around. Consequently… if their are any deer in the area they will get pushed. If you are still setting in your stand your odds of getting a deer greatly increase. I would say most of the deer I have shot have been between 11:00 am and 1:30 pm. I don’t know how many times I’ve gotten down from my stand only to spook deer walking in to me. If I had only sat for 15 more minutes I might have had a shot. Can you relate? Any way keep this in mind the next time you want to quit early, even fifteen minutes early, you may miss the shot you’ve been waiting on all day. Just remember to be patient, though. Patience is a virtue when it comes to deer hunting. Youtube Whitetail Deer Hunting Videos

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/outdoor-sports-articles/youtube-whitetail-deer-hunting-videos-4-overlooked-whitetail-deer-hunting-tips-and-tricks-to-greatly-increase-your-odds-2649902.html

Ohio Whitetail Deer Hunts – Top Rated Deer Hunting Video Guide

2010-08-02T14:20:00.000-07:00

Ohio Whitetail Deer Hunts

An excellent way to learn and become motivated about deer hunting is to watch a well-made deer hunting video. Today, the market is loaded with some excellent presentations that are loaded with a wealth of information such as techniques and methods for scouting, setting up the stand, antler shedding, tracking a wounded animal, calling a deer and more. The great thing about a quality hunting video is that you have a firsthand view of a hunt in progress.

In addition, videos sold today are made for hunters of all skill level. Therefore, if you were a novice and need to learn virtually everything, you would choose a deer hunting video made just for beginners. On the other hand, if you have been hunting for years but want to learn some of the newer techniques or you have not been on a hunt in years and need a good refresher course, you would simply choose a hunting video for this level.

Remember, the following list offers only a few possibilities for the video selection available. If you want to find more, you could use any of the top search engines such as Google.com, Lycos.com or Yahoo.com and type in keywords for the type of video you want and for the appropriate skill level.

• Beyond the Kill – The producers of this hunting video put heart and soul into its making to make sure people would finishing watching and feel as if they learned something of value. Within this video is valuable insight into hunting big bucks, specifically in the states of Wisconsin, Iowa, and Illinois. One of the things that make this particular deer hunting video so unique is that filming started in the springtime all the way through the end of summer on both private and public lands. Ohio Whitetail Deer Hunts

• 100% Wild Fair Chase – This deer hunting video is produced by Drury Outdoors, which is set up so you literally are taken from the beginning to the end. The tutorial is comprehensive, covering all types of valuable information for hunting whitetail deer.

• Mastering the Art – Guide to Calling Deer – For some hunters, one of the toughest things to learn is good calling. Obviously, being able to make a call that sounds enough like a real deer to call the animals in requires practice and skill. In this deer hunting video, you will gain information on methods so you can develop the perfect deer call. Best of all, the video was made not just for beginners but also seasoned hunters. Ohio Whitetail Deer Hunts

• PrimeTime Bucks 9 – This hunting video is another in a series, which features skilled hunters of Mitch Hagen, Rick White and Greg Miller as they end up with successful kills of bucks with a gross of 175 and greater. With four hours of scouting and hunting action from their viewpoint, you will be amazed the entire time, especially when they spot a buck with a gross of 185!

• Real Hunting’s Iowa Giants – If you live or travel to the state of Iowa to hunt, this deer hunting video would be perfect for your collection. Sold as a two-disk series, you have the benefit of watching 40 hunts captured in a four-hour presentation. Iowa is well known for its outstanding whitetail deer and this video is a prime example of what hunters will see when spending time in this state.

• The Grind – The last deer hunting video we wanted to mention is The Grind, which was developed for hunters who prefer to use a bow. This video takes viewers to Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Illinois, Maryland and Wisconsin, covering scouting, stand setup and various hunting techniques throughout the entire season on private and public land. Ohio Whitetail Deer Hunts

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/outdoor-sports-articles/ohio-whitetail-deer-hunts-top-rated-deer-hunting-video-guide-2649843.html

Deer Hunting Shot Placement – Deer Hunting Tips

2010-07-11T14:17:00.000-07:00

Deer Hunting Shot Placement

It’s that time of year when outdoorsmen feel a certain giddy longing that they don’t feel during the hot summer months. They can feel it coming on stronger like a quickening and can smell it in the crisp clean fall air. It’s a feeling like no other. Like a deeply planted seed rooted completely into your soul. And when this feeling comes around. The big game deer hunting season has arrived!

With a childlike enthusiasm you know it’s now time to dust off your hunting gear. Sharpen you hunting knives, oil down your deer hunting rifle; test your tree climbing equipment and stock up on hunting supplies such as hunting clothes, deer scents and maybe a new grunt call. But before the opening day of the hunting season arrives and it’s time to do the necessary pre hunting rituals that all good experienced hunters always do every year, such as scouting for deer sign, looking for tracks, scrapes, rubs and scant. Finding a good climbing tree stand or ground blind placement can sometimes seam difficult and downright unnerving. You want that perfect spot were you know you will always see the game that you are pursuing. And you want to be able to take the correct actions when the big moment arrives to bag that huge deer of a lifetime. So here are some Supreme Deer Hunting Tips that can help you take that big buck that you have always dreamed of. Deer Hunting Shot Placement

Before we begin I would like to tell you a story. A story about myself and why I have written this article. As a young boy I was naturally attracted to nature. My father was really not an outdoorsman. We went fishing at times but never went hunting. As I got older a friend of mine, Bob invited me along with him on a deer hunt. I loved it and I was from that day on, hooked for life! I proceeded to purchase my first deer hunting riffle, a 30.06 Remington. We hunted every single year and he would always harvest a deer. Usually a spike or a four pointer, but I had bigger plans. Deer Hunting Shot Placement

I wanted to get those big eight pointers with the nice heavy racks. I proceeded to test every location in every situation I could find. I read and consumed every deer magazines known to man like a mad man. Bob would always say, “Why do read those things? You won’t be able to get big dear like in those magazines”! He couldn’t have been more wrong. He refused to take pointers from any of my books or magazines. Don’t get me wrong, my friend Bob taught me a lot of the basics and good tactics. He was a very good teacher, but at some point I began to get bigger and better bucks than the teacher.

As I read all the magazines and books and I would learn new ideas and strategies. Bob would hunt the open woods and I would hunt the thicker stuff. I started to take nicer and larger bucks each year. And Bob, Well… let’s just say, he has a whole garage full of spikes and four pointers on the walls. Deer Hunting Shot Placement

Now even though I learned a lot from those hunting magazines. They never really helped me with some critical things. Stratagies that I had to and had learned in the field. Like spotting that perfect place to put a stand in any hunting location. Or the perfect way to spot a deer and take the shot without ever losing the game. Let’s face it, if you can’t find the perfect spot to hunt from, you will never see deer, see enough deer or get consistently close enough to take deer when you’re hunting. And if you don’t know the correct way to spot, respond and shoot the deer, you are not going to have that huge rack on your wall or venison in the freezer.

I’ve had to learn that the hard way. By years of trial and error. I have decided to put the best advice I have learned out of all those years, brake them down into a few critical tips and provide them here. They may not seem to be much on the surface. But they may be some of the best tips you may ever find. Deer Hunting Shot Placement

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/outdoor-sports-articles/deer-hunting-shot-placement-deer-hunting-tips-2550971.html

Hunting Tips

2010-04-11T18:19:00.000-07:00

Be extra quiet as you approach your deer hunting stand. Prior to hunting season, use a rake to clear leaves and twigs from your stand approach trail. Rake the trail for about 50 yards from your stand. During the hunting season you can rake your trail as you leave your hunting stand. Being extra quiet that last 50 yards is very important when hunting bedding areas.

Rattling in many deer When you try to rattle in deer you shouldn't grind you antlers together. The way that I rattle the antlers is I just tickle them together. Instead of not seeing any bucks, you'll see many young bucks and older bucks. Sent In By: Chase SlabaughLocation: Caledonia, IL

After the post rut is over and January sets in deer, especially bucks begin to become less territorial. Trying to rattle is out of the question right? I think not. Next time your stumped in your late hunting season, get one of your buddies to go out with you and place him or her 30 to 40 yards down wind of you. Once you are both in position have your buddy blow a few times on their grunt tube and begin to rattle in a 2 minute rattle session then wait 15 to 20 minutes and repeat the process again. Have your buddy blow a few times on their grunt tube before every rattling session. Be patient and soon deer will come to see what is going on out of curiosity they are likely to circle downwind of your calling buddy and you'll be right there for the shot.

Bow Hunting

2009-09-05T05:12:00.000-07:00

Bowhunting can be summed up as a game of details. What separates a successful bowhunter from one who returns empty-handed is often the attention paid to detail before, during, and after the hunt. From picking out and tuning your bow to learning how to hunt mature whitetails without being detected.

ABOUT WHITETAIL DEER

As the most sought after game animal in North America, the Whitetail Deer has always intrigued both hunters and non hunters alike. Today, the whitetail, is the most widespread deer in the world. Scientists recognize 30 whitetail subspecies in North and Central America, and another 8 in South America. North America's whitetail population is estimated at 20-25 million animals.
The whitetail is by far the most popular game in the U.S., chased by some 11 million hunters each fall.

Deer usually inhabit a relatively small home range, until harsh weather conditions
force them to temporarily move elsewhere. Thus, deer in northern states have larger home ranges, since the winters are often long and brutal. Some northern deer travel 50 miles or more to suitable winter ranger. Weather is not the only factor that impacts on a herd's home range. For example, most whitetails in Colorado or Kansas have larger home ranges than deer in Virginia or Alabama. Out West, the habitat is more sprawling and open and the doe densities are not as high as in the Southeastern states. Thus, western deer are forced to move longer distances to feed, bed and breed.

The lifespan of a whitetail is 11 to 12 years (17 to 20 years in captivity). But most free-roaming deer never live that long; they are hit by cars, succumb to disease, killed by predators or shot by hunters. In heavily hunted areas, many bucks live only 1½ or 2 ½ years. Deer grow to about 6 feet long and stand 3 to 4 feet high. They are reddish or grayish in color, depending on their habitat and the time of year. The weight of whitetails varies, from 100 to more than 300 pounds.

Bow hunting for deer a real challenge

2009-09-05T04:58:00.000-07:00

By Dennis Pirch

Believe it or not, it’s archery deer season again in the northern section of Arizona, which includes the Payson area units 22 and 23.
Unsuccessful January archery hunters can use that same tag for the three-week season that is currently under way. Arizona has a very generous split season in most units where an archer may spend as many as 50 days in pursuit of a whitetail or muley.
The many variables in bow and arrow deer hunting make the sport a real challenge to the most seasoned woodsman.
My limited experience of less than 10 years as an archer has revealed that the deer definitely have the advantage, at least when I am in pursuit. I have found that the best way to improve the odds is by spending time in the deer’s domain trying to learn their daily patterns when they are most active. Taking advice from other hunters who seem to tag a trophy deer every season can help teach those with less experience.
The Payson area has a phenomenal number of excellent archery deer hunters who are willing to share some of their tips of success, if asked. Well, I picked three and asked each for some advice they would be willing to share with other hunters. I found that the answers varied and all the tips would be stored in my aging brain for future use.
Mark Kile, who has taken three, trophy whitetail in the 100-inch range or better with his bow commented, “The early season with scorching daytime temperatures means water is the ticket. Being willing to sit or stand for hours on end will give a hunter opportunities to see deer and maybe that big one will show.”
Caleb Miller, another successful archer said, “Preseason scouting is a must. In the Arizona heat, the early morning and late afternoon is that window of time when deer are on the move. It is necessary to be in position with a pair of quality binoculars glassing all the haunts where that big buck might be living.”
John Ewing of Tonto Basin has a number of trophy animals because of his confidence at taking those long shots with his bow. His advice is, “Practice at various distances when at the range. Daily practice when possible increases that accuracy which is so important in all hunting. With the high-tech bows on the market it is possible to make that 100-yard shot if the archer has the confidence, which is created by having repeated that shot several times during practice sessions.”
The Payson area is a hotbed of successful archery hunting which attracts some of the best sportsmen in the West. Their knowledge of bow and arrow hunting would fill volumes of books on the subject.
If you have questions like I do, ask some of the locals and numerous names will surface that are successful with the “string and a stick.”
There is one week left in the early archery season. You still have time to purchase that over-the-counter tag and head to the woods.
Remember, safety and hunter etiquette goes a long way in promoting the great sport of archery hunting.
This weekend enjoy our Rim Country — God’s creation.

Five men plead guilty to trespass, hunting charges

2009-01-10T08:38:00.000-08:00

MUSCATINE, Iowa — Five area men pleaded guilty this week to trespass and hunting violations on private property northwest of West Liberty on Dec. 13, 2008.According to a release from the Department of Natural Resources: Russell Stagg, 53, West Liberty, will pay a $182 fine and $1,500 civil penalty for unlawful possession of a deer.

Mark Stagg, 26, West Liberty, will pay a $182 fine and $1,500 civil penalty for unlawful possession of a deer.

Kenneth Meyer, 64, Lone Tree, will pay a $260 fine for trespassing. Andrew Meyer, 25, Lone Tree, will pay a $260 fine for trespassing.Eric Kirkpatrick, 39, Nichols, will pay a $260 fine for trespassing.

The men were charged by DNR following an investigation of hunters trespassing in Wapsinonoc Township during the second Iowa shotgun deer hunting season.

The Iowa Department of Public Safety and Muscatine County Sheriff’s Office assisted in the investigation.

* * * Deer hunting season opens

2008-10-24T12:27:00.000-07:00

It is finally that time of the year again for Georgia hunters. Firearms deer season opened Saturday, Oct. 18 and goes through Jan. 1 in the Northern Zone and Jan. 15 in the Southern Zone. Last year, more than 276,000 licensed hunters harvested over 300,000 deer.

"Regulated hunting is the most cost effective and efficient means of managing the deer herd," says John Bowers, Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Wildlife Resources Division assistant chief of Game Management. "In addition, sportsmen and women provide more than $30 million each year to fund wildlife conservation in the state through license fees and selfimposed excise taxes collected on the purchase of firearms, ammunition, archery equipment and fishing equipment."

The division manages more than 90 wildlife management areas, comprising nearly one million acres of public hunting opportunities. For just $19/year, resident hunters can purchase a WMA license and hunt on these lands. Georgia's WMAs provide a variety of hunting options, including archery, primitive weapons, modern firearms, adultchild hunts, ladies-only hunts and hunts for the physically disabled.

"The annual WMA license is a bargain for deer hunters," says Senior Wildlife Biologist Brandon Anderson. "It is the best value hunting club in the state of Georgia - nearly one million acres of land for $19 a year."

All hunters should read the 2008- 2009 Georgia Hunting Seasons and Regulations annual guide, available
at www.gohuntgeorgia.com or
* * * from license agents, for any special
county regulations, including eithersex days and antler restrictions and for specific WMA regulations.

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.
The season bag limit remains at 10 antlerless deer and two antlered bucks. One of the two bucks must have at least four points (one inch or longer) on one side of the antlers. There are no other statewide antler restrictions. All deer hunters must wear at least 500 square-inches of fluorescent orange above the waist to legally hunt during firearms season, except on archery-only areas.

Deer hunters using modern firearms must possess a valid hunting license, a big game license and a current deer harvest record. If hunting on a WMA, hunters also must possess a WMA license. Hunting licenses are available online at www.gohuntgeorgia.com, at over 1,000 license agents or by calling 1-888-748-6887.

Ready, Set, Hunt!

2008-08-19T15:25:00.000-07:00

With a variety of gun season opening days in South Carolina, deer hunters are in different stages of preparation now. But it's never too early -- or too late -- to get ready for your deer hunts.
By Terry Madewell

North American Whitetail's Gordon Whittington shot this nice velvet buck in a Jasper County bean field last August. The hunt will be shown on an upcoming episode of North American Whitetail TV on the Outdoor Channel.

The opening of deer season means different things to different deer hunters across different parts of South Carolina in terms of pre-season preparation. The structure of the South Carolina deer season is designed to offer several different "opening days" for deer hunting, depending on the portion of the state you hunt. While it's essential to your deer hunting success that you be actively preparing right now, the type of preparation will vary depending on the area in which you plan to hunt.

For example, a 15-county area consisting of game zones 3 and 6 will open for gun season on Aug. 15. These hunters will currently be in a much different stage of their preparation for hunting than will gun hunters in the Piedmont and Upstate portion of South Carolina in game zones 1 and 2 for their Oct. 11 gun season opener. Plus there are 'in-between' gun season opening dates of Sept. 1 for Game Zone 5 and on Sept. 15 for Game Zone 4.

When you add in bowhunting season openings in the various game zones, as well as muzzleloaders in game zones 1 and 2, a lot of different strategies are being implemented by deer hunters right now.

Let's take a look at what hunters need to be doing in the different portions of the state, based on when your specific hunting season opens.

For the purpose of consistency, we'll be discussing gun season opening dates and associated preparations. By checking the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources Rules and Regulations booklet, you can determine the opening dates for archery tackle or muzzleloading weapons and plan for those specific openers as you desire.

We'll begin in game zones 3 and 6, where the actual gun hunting season opened August 15.
The counties in Game Zone 3 include Aiken, Lexington and Richland. Game Zone 6 includes Orangeburg, Hampton, Colleton, Bamberg, Allendale, Berkeley, Charleston, Barnwell, Calhoun, Jasper, Dorchester and Beaufort counties. If you're hunting any of these areas, get your rifle sighted in now.

While it's never too late to begin preparation, most hunters in this sector of the state have pretty much finished with the season preparation grunt work. In most cases, serious deer hunters in these counties will have their stands already built, repaired or moved and ready for hunting.

We're down to scouting, and for those using bait (legal in this section of the state), ensuring that the deer have plenty to eat.

Most veteran Lowcountry deer hunters know that the first few days of the season can mean a golden opportunity to take a big buck. At this early point in the season, only bucks can be harvested, so obviously figuring out what the bucks are doing an essential part of the hunting strategy. It's not just about where you locate deer: The key is locating bucks. Plus, after the first few days of hunting pressure, the early season hunting success can slow for a few weeks until the pre-rut phase begin to crank up.

New Deer Hunts In Maryland-Delaware

2008-08-07T10:20:00.000-07:00

True enough, many hunters grumble about the complexity of today’s deer management. But many related practices have produce added hunting opportunities.

The challenge of keeping deer numbers in balance with available habitat -- and also within acceptable social levels -- has a way of opening previous off-limits areas to hunting.

Added hunting days and weapon-specific hunts are also part of the current trend.

Yes, hunters may joke about the need for legal counsel to help keep them on the straight-and-narrow in the deer woods.

But there’s no doubt that avid sportsmen and women -- those are willing to explore the ever-evolving options -- now have more opportunities than ever.

Following is a look at Maryland and Delaware’s deer programs, the added hunting opportunities they’ve created and what’s in store for this season.

MARYLAND The past decade or so has witnessed a significant increase in deer-hunting opportunities in the Free State. The establishment of zones, each with separate bag limits, has been a prime component of this positive development.

Sunday deer hunting has gradually crept into the picture. Crossbows have expanded from being an urban-deer management tool to being acknowledged with specific seasons.

And the Free State sportsmen still also enjoy some of the lengthiest bow seasons anywhere.
Even so, there’s reason for Maryland hunters to expect even more deer options this coming year.

Among the most significant items are additional public hunting lands.

“In Cecil County, the Bainbridge Wildlife Management Area came on line late last year,” notes Brian Eyler, the Maryland Department of Natural Resources’ (DNR) deer project leader. “It’s a cooperative WMA. We would expect to have that property again for this season.”

Beginning in late December of last year, the DNR’s Wildlife and Heritage Service partnered with the Bainbridge Development Corporation (BDC) to expand archery hunting opportunities in Cecil County.

The BDC will allow archery hunting for deer on their 1,200-acre property near Port Deposit.
Interested hunters must obtain a free seasonal permit and make a daily reservation to access the property through the Gwynnbrook Managed Hunt Permit office, located at 3740 Gwynnbrook Avenue in Owings Mills.

Reservations may be made up to eight days in advance. To obtain a seasonal permit or make a daily reservation, call the office at (410) 356-9272 Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

“Prather’s Neck WMA, located in southern Washington County, also went online during the late bowhunting season last year,” said Eyler.

“We’re also working on at least two other land acquisitions. I don’t know for sure if they’re going to happen, but more than likely they will. Then it’s just a matter of when we can get a management plan in place.”

“The property offers excellent hunting and wildlife-associated recreation,” said Karina Blizzard, associate director of the Wildlife and Heritage Service, in announcing the addition of the state property earlier this year.

Since the purchase of the 215-acre parcel in 2006 with Program Open Space Funds, a parking lot designed to hold 10 vehicles has been installed to accommodate hunters.

Parking on this single lot will be restricted on a first-come basis.

Prathers Neck WMA may be accessed by traveling south on state Route 56 from Clear Spring, turning left onto Four Locks Road and then continuing onto Ankeney Lane, which ends at the designated hunter parking lot.

For more information, call the Wildlife and Heritage
Service, Indian Springs Work Center at (301) 842-2702.
Hunters are reminded that the public land code for checking in deer and turkey for Prathers Neck is 269.
Last season, deer hunters enjoyed Sunday hunting in a list of Maryland counties.

Young Panhandle hunter gets the shot of a lifetime

2008-07-25T10:55:00.000-07:00

PACE, Fla. -- There are very few people who can claim to be a staple feature on a national outdoors television show. Only a lucky few can say they've made it to that level, but many if not all of us wish and hope for that chance.

What if you got your chance at 11-years-old?

Zac Cooper of Pace is 11 "Going on 12," he's quick to point out and is the newest member of the pro staff for Outdoor Allstars on Direct TV's Maximum Adventure Network as well as Ol' Man Treestands.

"I feel so blessed," said Zac, a rising seventh-grader at Chumuckla High School. "There's so many kids out there that want to be in my position."

Like many children who are avid hunters, Zac grew up in a family that loves the outdoors. His father, Chad Cooper, owns Cooper's Taxidermy, and has been a hunter all his life. Getting his son involved in something he's so passionate about was a no-brainer.

"His first birthday gift was a lifetime hunting license," the elder Cooper said. " The office in Milton, the computer was down and I wanted the license to be printed on his birthday so I drove to Pensacola."

The license was not Zac's first taste of the outdoor life. He had been a fixture in the treestand with his dad since he was just a few months old. Bundled against the cold, the wind and with cotton in his ears to shield him from the gun shots, baby Zac, four months old at the time, was strapped in his car seat and sat patiently through that first hunting season, right next to his dad.

"I feel so fortunate for where he's at," Chad Cooper said. "There's a list of people I'd love to thank. There'd be people (at the shop) waiting for Zac to get off the bus after school to take him hunting because I had to work."

Zac, always well-mannered and respectful, shared the same sentiment.

"That's part of what makes me feel so blessed, all these people reached out to me," he said.
And this was before he was a big TV star.

It wasn't until two weeks ago that the Coopers knew if Zac had what it takes to stand up to the rigourous world of on-camera hunting.

After three days of tough hunting for wild boar in Alabama, everybody, including the show's producers, knew Zac was right in his element.

"We had a blast up there," said Wayne Burns, producer and host of the show. "We had him on a bunch of hogs but it didn't present the shot we wanted. Three days, we hunted real hard, and Zac was just as good if not better than most grown ups. He didn't complain. Most kids, a day out there and it's over.

"We took him to a spot that's hard hunting to show him this is how we do it," Burns said. "We don't do it the easiest way of doing it but we do it how we grew up hunting. If he could last three days, he can make it."

Now that he's made it, Zac will be seen on the show that airs Tuesdays at 6 p.m. and Fridays at 9 p.m. Outdoor Allstars will be moving to Sundays at 8 p.m. in July and Zac will be featured in the introduction, outros, commercials as well as a few upcoming hunts scheduled for Illinois, south and central Texas, Missouri, Alabama and Florida.

It wasn't by chance that Burns found Zac. There was a little help from Mike Scott of Scott's Outdoors Sports in Jay.

Scott had been hunting with Burns before and has known the Cooper family for years.
Scott's son-in-law owns Ol' Man Treestands and is a major sponsor of Outdoor Allstars.

"I've known the Coopers all my career," Scott said. "You'd have to be blind when you meet Zac to look in his eyes not to understand how he cherishes the hunting and fishing. It's a joy to walk with this young man and get him the attention and credit he deserves."

While he's only been hunting for a few years remember he's just 11 Zac has harvested more than 40 deer 22 this past season.

The first?

"It was a fallow deer when I was about five," he said. "It really just escalated from that moment in time. It was more interesting, more exciting. I just love it."

The most memorable?

"To tell the truth, the most excited I got was my first bow kill in Ponce de Leon," Zac said. "I got in the stand by myself, spotted a doe, and shot it. Then I went and got it by myself. My dad had tears in his eyes."

They of course were tears of pride.

Chad Cooper wells up with it every time he talks about his son. And well he should. The straight-A student works at the shop with his dad helping make forms for mounts, skinning deer heads and whatever else needs doing.

He earns a paycheck, saves half of it and spends the other half. Yes, it mostly goes to hunting and fishing gear.

Zac has a lifetime ahead of him but already has a focus on what he wants to do and how to get there. While many kids entering high school are thinking about parties and good times, Zac steers toward the outdoors, family and studies.

He knows if his grades slip, he'll have to miss a bit of the hunting season, those are the rules.
"I was making As and Bs but then finished (6th grade) with straight As," Zac said. "I have felt so blessed and so happy (hunting). It really motivated me so I could have this feeling all the time."
He knows he has a chance to share his love for the sport with many children his own age and plans to help revive it among the younger generation.

"I'm really looking forward to being able to reach out to the younger generation to get them interested," he said. "It's such a wonderful sport and I really want them to get interested in it too."

Bonus Antlerless Deer Tags Now Being Sold

2008-07-25T10:35:00.000-07:00

Hunters planning on harvesting antlerless deer in one of Wisconsin's regular deer management units or in one of the state's 12 limited access state parks can now purchase unit-specific antlerless deer tags and state park deer hunting access permits. They both went on sale on Wednesday.

Twenty-two of Wisconsin's 134 deer management units are designated as regular units in 2008. Regular units are 7, 10, 28, 29A, 29B, 30, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 43, 44, 45, 49A, 49B, 50 and 52A. Unit 52A is Council Grounds State Park, so hunters who are successful in purchasing a permit for the park who want to harvest antlerless deer must purchase the additional $12 antlerless tags.

Regular units are those that are close to prescribed deer population goals and deer managers are limiting harvest of antlerless deer in those units to keep populations stable. For these units, hunters must purchase a unit-specific antlerless deer harvest tag. These tags are limited in number. They cost $12 for residents, $20 for nonresidents and can be purchased one per day until the unit's supply is sold out. State park deer hunting.

Anyone wishing to hunt deer in one of Wisconsin's 12 state parks with limited deer hunting access must purchase a State Park Deer Hunting Access Permit for that park. The permits cost $3 for both residents and non residents.

Tags and permits can be purchased over the Internet through the Online Licensing Center; by calling toll-free 877-945-4236; or at license sales locations. DNR service centers are closed Saturdays, but the permits may be purchased during their regular business hours.