More hunters will be hunting on some of Utah’s best big game units this fall.

On April 10, members of the Utah Wildlife Board raised the number of permits for many of Utah’s big game hunts.

The Northern Region wasn’t one of those hunts, though. Board members cut 1,000 general buck deer permits from the region for this fall.

“This is a great time to hunt big game in Utah,” says Anis Aoude, big game coordinator for the Division of Wildlife Resources. “Utah’s big game herds are doing well, and the state has a wider variety of animals to hunt than ever before.”

Hunters who applied for a 2008 permit will know by April 30 whether they drew one.

Fewer deer permits in northern Utah

After last fall’s hunting seasons, biologists found an average of 18 bucks per 100 does on public land hunting units in the Northern Region. Even though the number of bucks was on the high end of the 15 to 20 bucks per 100 does objective, the biologists recommended 1,000 fewer permits for the region this fall.

“We want to be cautious,” Aoude says. “The deer herds in parts of northern Utah had a tough time this winter.

“When we do our after-winter surveys later this spring, we’ll know better how many deer were lost. But our big game permit drawing happens in April, so the board had to set the permit numbers before we completed our surveys.”

Elk, deer and moose

Limited entry elk and deer and once-in-a-lifetime moose permits are among the permits board members increased. Aoude explains why:

Elk—Biologists manage Utah’s limited entry elk units so those who hunt the units have the potential to take a bull that will fall into one of four age categories: 6 to 7 years old, 5 to 6 years old, 4 to 5 years old, or 3 to 4 years old. The age of the bull a hunter might take depends on the unit he or she hunts on.

Utah has 28 limited entry bull elk units. On 26 of the units, hunters are taking bulls that are older than the age objective for the unit. “For example, a hunter who hunts a unit managed for 5- to 6-year-old bulls can often end up taking a bull that’s one or two years older than the objective for the unit,” Aoude says.

“The board needed to increase the number of permits so hunters could take more bulls,” Aoude says. “Taking more bulls will allow the herds to get closer to their age objectives.”

Deer—Biologists manage Utah’s limited entry deer units so there will be plenty of big bucks for hunters each fall.

The Paunsaugunt and Henry Mountains units are Utah’s two premium limited entry units. Biologists manage these units so at least 35 bucks per 100 does are left in the herds after the hunts are over each fall.

The rest of Utah’s limited entry units are managed so at least 25 bucks per 100 does are still in the herds after the fall hunts.

Only two units in southern Utah aren’t meeting that goal. On the rest of the state’s units, the number of bucks biologists are finding is higher than the buck-to-doe ratio for each unit. “We have plenty of bucks on these units. And that’s great news for hunters. It means more of them can hunt some of these units this fall,” Aoude says.

Moose—Utah’s moose herds are also doing well. In many of the herds, there are almost as many bulls in the herds as cows.

Spring bear-hunting season opened in New Brunswick on Monday, April 21, and runs until Saturday, June 28. It is illegal for hunters to harvest female bears accompanied by one or more cubs.

A bear licence is valid for all three 2008 bear-hunting seasons: the spring season, fall bow-hunting season, and the regular fall season. The bag limit for each hunter is one bear per year.

Resident bear-hunting licences are available at Natural Resources district offices and several Service New Brunswick centres. Residents may hunt in any wildlife management zone (WMZ) open for bear hunting. Non-resident licences are available directly from qualified outfitters and guides, or the Department of Natural Resources, Fish and Wildlife Branch. Non-residents are restricted to hunting bear in the WMZ indicated on their licences.

Outfitters and guides are reminded of the federal regulation restricting movement of black-bear trophies and parts across international borders. This regulation was implemented by Canada in 1992 to comply with the listing of the North American black bear by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES). Although the North American black bear is not endangered, it has been listed to help control the illegal trade of several bear species that are endangered.

The regulation states that any international exports of live or dead black bears, as well as their parts or derivatives, must be accompanied with a valid CITES export permit. This regulation will affect non-Canadian black-bear hunters in New Brunswick, who must obtain a CITES export permit if they want to leave the country with any part of a black bear. Some exemptions may apply. Contact Natural Resources offices for more information. CITES export permits are available at Natural Resources district offices during regular business hours.

Bear hunters are encouraged to concentrate on sportsmanship, hunter safety and ethics. New Brunswick has many excellent hunting opportunities, and it is up to each hunter to help manage wildlife resources in a responsible manner.

The Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission voted unanimously to prohibit cervid ranchers from knowingly selling “shooter bulls” to facilities in states that allow the hunting of privately-held wildlife, as part of its formal rule-making on the state’s cervid ranching rules (OAR 635-049-0000).“Any kind of hunting operation that is not under the guise of fair chase is a threat to the fraternity of hunting,” said Dr. Dan Edge, Commission Vice-Chair and head of OSU’s Dept. of Fisheries and Wildlife.

The Commission declined to require double-fencing of captive elk ranches and directed staff to consider other alternatives that would make the minimum standard better than the current requirement, such as adding an interior electric fence. It deferred a decision on requiring bonding of elk ranchers to indemnify the state against an escape or disease outbreak.

Before making policy decisions, the Commission heard public testimony from 22 people on both sides of the issue. Because of the complexity and length of the Div. 49 rules, the Commission only provided policy direction today, and asked staff to rewrite proposed rules along those policy lines for formal adoption at the May 9, 2008 meeting in La Grande. No public testimony related to the rules will be taken at this meeting.

Other policies adopted today include:

• Elk ranch licenses will be relinquished if licensee does not hold cervids for more than 180 consecutive days.
• The import of gametes and embryos will be specifically allowed. The ban on the import of live cervids continues.
• Licensees will be responsible for the state’s expenses from an escape or release of captive cervids, though the department has discretion in determining whether to require repayment based on circumstances surrounding the incident.
• Deaths must be reported to ODFW and ODA within 24 hours of discovery; all dead cervids must be tested for disease within 24 hours of discovery.
• License will specify species, subspecies and or hybrid that can be held.
• Policy maintains current limit of 16 Type 1 commercial elk ranching licenses.
• New policy adds decommissioning requirements including perimeter fencing, so wild cervids cannot enter a captive facility until it is deemed disease-free.  

“This Commission is not in any way attempting to put anybody out of business,” stated Chair Marla Rae in her summary of the Commission’s policy on elk ranching. “The Oregon State Legislature has already said that the private holding of cervids is a lawful activity. It is up to this Commission and department to regulate that activity so that it does no harm to wildlife populations.”

In keeping with that, the Commission voted to change the overall policy statement of the Commission from one of opposition to commercial elk ranching to one of concern about the unregulated holding of cervids posing a disease or genetic risk to the public’s wildlife.

The Commission also adopted administrative rules formally recognizing the Grande Ronde Indian Tribe’s stewardship of lands under their ownership and management and providing permits for the annual take for ceremonial purposes of 15 deer, 9 elk and three bears outside of regular hunting seasons in the Trask Wildlife Management Unit (portions of Yamhill, Tillamook County).

Friday marks the start of the three day long November Antlerless Season in Iowa.  Geared around the Thanksgiving holiday, this season offers an opportunity for family and friends to hunt together, harvest some quality venison, and help manage Iowa’s deer herd.

Licenses went on sale November 10 for counties that had not filled their antlerless license quota.  Shotguns, handguns, muzzleloaders, and bows may be used and party hunting is legal.  Last year roughly 11,500 licenses were issued with a reported kill of 4,141 deer for a harvest success of 35 percent.  These animals represent a positive step towards attaining or maintaining herd goals within the state. 

The majority of southern and eastern Iowa herds are still above desired levels and antlerless harvest in these areas, especially adult does and doe fawns, is the only realistic long-term method for reducing population size.  Deer herds with reduced densities typically produce higher quality animals, help alleviate crop depredation, and reduce the rate of automobile/deer collisions. 

Hunting hours are from one-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset. All deer harvested must be reported using the harvest reporting system by midnight following the day the deer is recovered. This is the second year where hunters have reported their kill. They can call the toll free number (1-800-771-4692) or use the DNR website (www.iowadnr.gov) to report their kill. This year they can also report at the license vendor. For hunters with Internet access, online reporting of the harvest is probably the easiest way to register the deer.  Harvest reports are a vital piece of information Iowa DNR biologists need for properly managing Iowa’s deer population and hunting opportunities.  Hunters are also reminded that they can also utilize the HUSH program to donate deer to the Iowa Food Bank and provide needed meat for Iowans.

Other individuals interested in purchasing antlerless licenses for other hunting seasons should act now in many counties to avoid losing the opportunity.  It is also a good time to purchase licenses for one of the Shotgun Seasons to avoid the long lines and holdups that are inevitable for those who wait until the last minute.

For more information, contact Tom Litchfield, state deer biologist, at 641-774-2958.

A total of 369 cow elk licenses will be available online at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 7, to hunters who did not draw a license this season.

Licenses will be available on a first-come, first-served basis, only on the Department of Game and Fish website, www.wildlife.state.nm.us . Hunters are encouraged to visit the website before the sale date to review hunts available and to create an online account if they have not already done so.

The licenses are for antlerless elk in various game management units statewide. The hunts will include 100 licenses for muzzleloaders only, and 269 licenses for any legal sporting arm.

The special late-season cow elk hunts are designed to provide additional elk hunting opportunities without severely impacting the state’s elk herds. License fees are $59 for state residents, $331 for nonresidents. License fees will be charged at the time of successful online application. The Valles Caldera National Preserve charges a $300 access fee. Only hunters who did not hold elk licenses for hunts this season are eligible for the late-season hunts. It is illegal for any hunter to hold more than one elk license in the same license year.

To be eligible for the late-season hunts, applicants must have submitted a mandatory harvest report for 2006-2007 if they held deer or elk licenses or permits for that season. Those who did not submit harvest reports can still do so for an $8 late fee by visiting a Department office in Santa Fe, Albuquerque, Raton, Roswell or Las Cruces, or by calling (505) 476-8038.

New Hampshire’s 2007 moose season was a success, with preliminary figures showing that hunters took about 479 moose. With approximately 675 permits issued, this represents a statewide success rate of 71%. About 70% of the harvest was bulls, which is typical, according to Kristine Rines, Moose Project Leader for the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department. The nine-day moose hunt ended on Sunday, October 28. In 2006, by comparison, hunters took 449 moose for a statewide success rate of 67%.

“Given the hot weather, I was impressed that hunters got this many moose,” said Rines. “Moose aren’t partial to hot weather and tend to move less as a result, thus reducing their visibility and vulnerability to hunters.”

This year, the success rate in all regions was higher than last year, but lower than the ten-year average. The Connecticut Lakes region saw a success rate of 86%, the North region had 79% success; in the White Mountains region had a 63% success rate; the Central region, 62% success; the Southwest region saw 44% success; and in the Southeast region, 30% of hunters got their moose.

A record 16,779 people entered the annual moose hunt lottery last spring for a chance to win a permit offering for this fall’s hunt. Applications for the 2008 moose hunt will be available in late January on the Fish and Game website at http://www.HuntNH.com.

Deer hunters who want to purchase remaining doe licenses shouldn’t wait too long because some units only have a few left, according to Carrie Whitney, licensing supervisor for the North Dakota Game and Fish Department.

“If you want to buy a license in a specific unit, don’t wait because they might be gone by opening day,” Whitney said.

Another reason to buy early is because licenses aren’t issued at the time applications are received. “The application is processed the day it is received, but the license isn’t available to be sent out until the next business day,” Whitney said. “So if a deer hunter applies for a license on Friday morning of opening day, it will be mailed the next business day.”

The Game and Fish Department will continue to sell remaining doe licenses through the end of the archery season. As of Monday, Oct. 29, more than 14,000 licenses for antlerless deer were still available in the following units: 1, 2C, 2D, 2E, 2F1, 2G, 2H, 2I, 2J2, 2K2, 2L, 3A4, 3E1, 3E2, 3F1, 3F2, 4E and 4F.

These licenses are available to hunters who don’t already have a license, or for those who want additional licenses. They can be used during the bow season with a bow; the deer gun season with a bow, rifle, or muzzleloader; or during the muzzleloader season with a muzzleloader. Hunters must stay in the unit to which the license is assigned.

Hunters can apply online at the Game and Fish Department website, gf.nd.gov. Residents and nonresidents are eligible to apply. The regular deer gun season begins at noon Nov. 9 and continues through Nov. 25. Muzzleloader season starts at noon Nov. 30 and runs through Dec. 16. Archery season is open through Jan. 6, 2008.

By Brian Wakeling, big game program supervisor, Arizona Game and Fish Department

Getting ready to head out for your fall deer or elk hunt? Here are our regional forecasts for these species.

Deer
From a statewide perspective, white-tailed deer fawn recruitment remained similar to last year’s level, whereas mule deer fawn recruitment dropped a little. Both remained within the range in which deer populations tend to remain stable, and deer hunting opportunities should be similar to last year. Summer precipitation, although not tremendous, did provide good green up throughout much of the state in late summer, and healthy deer herds and antler growth should be found statewide. Buck-to-doe ratios have been increasing for both mule and white-tailed deer over the past two years, so more bucks may be available. Don’t expect to be overrun with deer, but experiences should be similar to the last two years.

Regions I through IV are known mainly for mule deer and provide good hunting opportunities for this species. Even with recent improvement, Region IV mule deer tend to be in low-density herds, so plan to wear out the seat of your pants while using binoculars rather than wearing out boots while walking to be successful. This can be an important strategy regardless of where you hunt, but is more difficult in forested habitat. Don’t be afraid to use those boots to get you off the beaten track, but rely on optics once you get there. Mule deer numbers in Regions V and VI are also stable to slightly increasing.

Regions V and VI have the most popular white-tailed deer units, and glassing is essential for finding these elusive ghosts. Sustained fawn recruitment from last year should translate into more young bucks this year. Look closely: Many “skin heads” turn out to be young bucks on further scrutiny. Regions I and II have lesser-known but excellent white-tailed deer hunts. Areas recovering from recent fires can be productive, especially near steep terrain and canyons that white-tails seem to favor.

Regardless of where you were drawn this year, know the boundaries of your unit. Check your tag to be certain of the area for which you were drawn. Every year a few hunters mistakenly assume they were drawn for their first choice when they were actually drawn for an alternate unit, but don’t find out otherwise until they get to camp, or, worse yet, until a wildlife manager checks their harvested deer. It can be an expensive mistake. And don’t forget to sign your tag.

Elk
 Although fall survey data is preliminary, many areas are reporting good calf numbers and favorable bull-to-cow ratios. Elk habitat that suffered from fires two to five years ago is producing good herbaceous vegetation as a result of summer rains. In addition to recruitment, favorable forage conditions are also good for antler development. There have already been many reports of 400+ bulls harvested during the 2007 archery hunts, and several impressive photographs are circulating through e-mail.

People with antlerless tags often have bigger challenges during hunts than do bull hunters. It always seems that just before the season, you cannot walk through the woods without stumbling over cow elk and their young, but shortly after the season begins, they disappear like water vapor. I’ve told many a hunter that it is only sporting for the Department to inform the elk of season dates, and they seem to take notice. In my experience, it can be productive during antlerless hunts to work small openings in the forest during midday, especially in later seasons, as elk seem to adjust to hunters’ typical patterns of being out early or late in the day and sleeping at midday.

Regions I (Pinetop) and II (Flagstaff)
Wildfires did not play a large role this year. Older burned areas are going to be attractive to elk. Elk often respond to early accumulations of snowfall by moving to lower elevations, but a single snowfall event will not immediately drive all elk out of an area. Rainfall and snow can cause unfavorable road conditions. Always try to minimize the impact you have on primitive roads.

Region III (Kingman)
Elk populations have been productive and wide-ranging. Much of the elk habitats are large landscapes with interspersed pinyon-juniper woodland. These animals can be highly mobile and may seem to vaporize once hunts begin. Being in the field early and late can be important, but don’t forget midday, especially later in the hunt. This strategy can be critical regardless of your unit and region.

Region V (Tucson) and Region VI (Mesa)
Although Region V has elk hunts in Units 28 and 31, these areas are managed for elk at low densities. These can be tough hunts in nontraditional areas. You may need more than your share of good luck to be successful. Region VI elk populations are doing well. Units 22 and 23 continue to be good producers of quality animals.

Virtually any unit in Arizona has the potential to produce a record-book bull. To make the most of your opportunity, be certain that your rifle is shooting accurately before you get to the field. Judging distances can be more challenging with elk hunting than with virtually any other hunt. Distances in forested habitat just seem closer than they really are; you expect long distances with pronghorn or deer hunting, but mistakes that change the outcome of a hunt are easy to make when pursuing elk.

South Dakota’s third mountain lion season will start on Nov. 1 with some changes from the 2006 season.

“Perhaps the biggest change is combining the state into one unit,” said John Kanta, the Rapid City-based regional game manager for the S.D. Game, Fish and Parks Department. “Last year the Black Hills Unit was open to residents and the Prairie Unit was open to landowners. Now the entire state is open to properly licensed resident mountain lion hunters.”

Another change from last year is an increase in the number of lions that may be harvested. The season will end statewide immediately if either 35 total lions or 15 female lions are harvested. If neither of the harvest limits are reached, the season will end on Dec. 31.

It is up to hunters to keep informed about the status of the season, either by calling a toll-free phone number, (866) 895-9067, or checking the GFP Web site at http://www.sdgfp.info/Wildlife/MountainLions/MtLionseasonstatus.htm.

Spotted or young lions are off limits as are lions traveling together, which is often a sign of a mother with juvenile lions.

As in past seasons, successful hunters must report mountain lion kills to GFP within 24 hours. To report a harvested lion, hunters should call the GFP Regional Office in Rapid City which can be reached on weekdays between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. at (605) 394-2391. After-hours reports should be made to State Radio at (605) 393-8121.

The mountain lion hunting season is open to South Dakota residents only. Licenses are available through the end of the season from the GFP Licensing office in Pierre or through the department Web site at www.sdgfp.info.

As of October 25, hunters reported harvesting 500 bears (283 males, 217 females). That puts us 8% above the 5-year in-season average of 463 bears for this time period, according to Bear Project Leader Andy Timmins, and 64% above last year’s harvest at this point in the season.

Apple crops have been an important food source for bears this fall throughout the state, but not many are left. The marginal acorn crop across the state has followed a similar trend, and most cornfields have been cut, leaving little standing corn.

In spite of summer-like temperatures during much of the fall, declining food abundance should cause early denning for many bears, especially pregnant females and sows with cubs. While the overlap between bear season and the muzzleloader and regular firearms seasons for deer (in select WMUs) will result in some additional bear harvest, this harvest will likely be low because of the onset of denning. 

New Hampshire still has Unit M Special Deer permits left, but they’re going fast! As of October 25, 1,400 permits remained to be issued. They’re valid for taking one additional antlerless deer in Wildlife Management Unit M during the archery, muzzleloader or firearms seasons.

Permits cost $13 and are sold at http://www.nhfishandgame.com or from Fish and Game headquarters.

For details, Unit M boundaries, or a print-and-mail application, visit http://www.wildlife.state.nh.us/Hunting/Special_Unit_M_permits.htm.

There are lots of deer in the woods this fall for New Hampshire hunters, according to early reports from the archery deer season. The deer harvest through October 21 was the highest in at least nine years, with most counties showing significant increases. Archery deer hunters had taken 2,406 at this point in the season.

The archery deer season continues through December 15 (December 8 in WMU A). Deer survival last winter was good, as was fawn production and survival last spring. ”Deer hunting this fall is definitely providing some excellent opportunities!” said Kent Gustafson, Fish and Game Deer Project Leader. ”Youth, muzzleloader and firearm deer hunters should expect a similar good season ahead.”

For more on deer hunting in New Hampshire, visit http://www.wildlife.state.nh.us/Hunting/Hunt_species/hunt_deer.htm.

Young deer hunters will have their own opportunity for success on Saturday and Sunday, October 27-28, 2007, when New Hampshire’s youth deer hunt is held.  This special weekend gives young people statewide the opportunity to go deer hunting with an adult mentor, without the pressure of competing with thousands of adult hunters. Accompanying adults must be licensed hunters and are not allowed to carry a firearm, so that they can devote all of their time and attention to coaching their young companions.

Prospects for this year’s youth season are excellent, according to Kent Gustafson, Deer Project Leader for the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department.  Gustafson notes that New Hampshire’s deer population is very healthy.   In 2006, young hunters took 668 deer during the youth weekend, a dramatic increase from the 326 deer taken in 2005 and surpassing the previous youth weekend record of 334 deer taken in 2003. 

“The weekend is a chance to introduce young people, under the careful guidance of an experienced adult, to deer hunting,” said Gustafson.  “You can build bonds for a lifetime while tracking a whitetail through the autumn woods or deciphering the sounds of the forest from a treestand.  We hope hunters will spend the weekend with their sons and daughters, grandchildren or young friends, helping them learn what hunting is all about.”

Gustafson notes that hunting can help youngsters learn about the environment, conservation, tradition and ethics, and gain an appreciation for the wildlife and wild places of New Hampshire. 

The basics of New Hampshire’s youth hunting weekend for deer are as follows:

• Youths must be under 16 years of age to participate; they do not need a hunting license and do not have to complete a hunter education requirement. Both resident and nonresident youth may take part.
  Youths must be accompanied by an adult 18 years of age or older, and the adult must have a valid New Hampshire hunting license.
  Adults who accompany youth hunters may not carry a firearm or assist in taking the deer, other than to supervise.
  Each licensed adult may accompany up to two youths under 16 years of age.
  A deer of either sex is legal statewide during the youth weekend.
  Youths are entitled to their own bag limit of game; any deer taken constitutes the one deer allowed by muzzleloader or regular firearms per year.
  All deer need to be registered, as required during the regular season; youths should tag their deer using the tag found inside the back cover of the 2007-2008 Hunting Digest, available from Fish and Game license agents statewide or on the Fish and Game website at www.wildlife.state.nh.us/Hunting/hunting.htm (click here and on orange icon).
  Youths and accompanying adults must comply with all Fish and Game laws relative to hunting deer.

New Hampshire has offered a special youth deer hunt since 1999.  It also offers youth weekends for waterfowl hunting in the early fall and for wild turkey in the spring.  The special weekends are part of the reason New Hampshire New Hampshire ranks third nationally for youth hunting participation, according to the National Shooting Sports Foundation.

For more details on hunting in New Hampshire, click here.

For information on other youth hunt weekends in New Hampshire, click here.

For online license and permit sales, click here.

The New Hampshire Fish and Game Department is the guardian of the state’s fish, wildlife and marine resources and their habitats.

As of the end of the day on October 24, a total of 377 moose had been taken in the 2007 New Hampshire moose hunt (271 bulls and 106 cows). That means that more than half (about 56%) of hunters holding moose permits had succeeded by the mid-way point in the state’s moose hunt, slightly up from the 51% success rate hunters had achieved at this point in the moose season last year. The nine-day season runs through Sunday, October 28.

Cooler weather mid-week has created better conditions for moose hunting than existed over the opening weekend, when high temperatures kept moose hunkered down. New Hampshire Fish and Game Department Moose Project Leader Kristine Rines has worked at the Berlin moose check station all week. ”One interesting thing is that it seems like we’ve had an unusually large number of women hunters succeeding in the moose hunt this year, which is great to see,” said Rines.

The largest bull taken to date weighed 900 pounds (dressed weight) and was taken in WMU A-1 by David Giguere of Epsom, N.H. The largest cow taken so far weighed in at 730 pounds and was taken in WMU B by Donald Hamilton of Groveton, N.H.

A record 16,779 people entered the 2007 lottery for a chance to be offered one of the 675 permits issued to hunt moose this year in the Granite State. 

The New Hampshire Fish and Game Department is the guardian of the state’s fish, wildlife and marine resources and their habitats. Visit http://www.HuntNH.com.

Early reports from the archery deer season indicate that there are lots of deer in the woods this fall for New Hampshire hunters. The deer harvest through October 21 was the highest in at least nine years, with most counties showing significant increases, according to Kent Gustafson, Deer Project Leader for the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department. Archery deer hunters have taken 2,406 at this point in the season. The archery deer season continues through December 15 (except WMU A, in which it ends December 8).

Many typical fall foods for deer, such as acorns and beechnuts, are in short supply this fall compared to last year, but apples are quite abundant. Pleasant early fall weather conditions have been another plus for hunters. A fairly mild 2006-07 winter meant deer survival was good, as was fawn production and survival last spring. ”Deer hunting this fall is definitely providing some excellent opportunities!” said Gustafson. 

“The numbers suggest that the state’s bow hunters are taking advantage of decent weather, better visibility and more abundant deer,” Gustafson said. “Youth, muzzleloader and firearm deer hunters should expect a similar good season ahead.” 

The successful deer season to date bodes well for the state’s youth deer hunt (October 27-28), which again will provide young hunters under age 16 the opportunity to take a deer of either sex. Youths must be accompanied by an adult at least 18 years of age, with a valid New Hampshire hunting license.

The numbers also are good news for New Hampshire’s firearm deer hunters as they prepare to get out in the field. The state’s muzzleloader deer season is November 3 - 13 in much of the state, and the firearms deer season opens November 14, 2007. For details of the deer seasons by WMU, visit http://www.wildlife.state.nh.us/Hunting/Hunt_species/hunt_deer.htm or consult the N.H. Hunting Digest. Deer are the most popular quarry for the more than 60,000 hunters who buy licenses in New Hampshire each year.

Statistics gathered so far from New Hampshire’s archery deer hunt are listed below with comparisons to this point in the season in previous years. (Note — these preliminary figures are estimates based on reported deer registrations by county, not necessarily deer killed in that county, and may not include information from all registration stations.)

A comparative county-by-county breakdown of N.H. deer harvest at this point in the season for the past 9 years can be viewed at the online version of this release at http://www.wildlife.state.nh.us/Newsroom/News_2007/News_2007_Q4/Deer_Harvest_Good_102407.htm

For online hunting license sales and more information on hunting in New Hampshire, visit http://www.wildlife.state.nh.us/Hunting/hunting.htm.

Hunting activity is important to New Hampshire’s economy, according to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. In 2006, more than $80 million of hunting-related expenditures were generated in the state.

The New Hampshire Fish and Game Department is the guardian of the state’s fish, wildlife and marine resources and their habitats. Visit http://www.HuntNH.com.

The Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW) supports California’s Department of Fish and Game in discouraging supplemental food drops for black bears into the back country around Lake Tahoe.

Recent media reports show concerned citizens providing food in an attempt to re-acclimate bears to forage in the forest. “We certainly respect people’s intentions,” said Russ Mason, Game Division Chief at NDOW, “but biologists and managers from all involved agencies in this situation agree that feeding bears is contrary to the goal of keeping bears wild.”

Although it may seem humane and logical to feed hungry Sierra black bears in the wild, it is in reality misplaced kindness. “Unnatural food supplementation actually has adverse effects on wildlife,” said Mason. NDOW presents these four major reasons why:

1. Bears associate unnatural food with humans by smell and/or food type. This makes it more rather than less likely that bears will seek out human foods in the future, worsening the problems our area has seen with bears invading homes, crossing roads, and roaming neighborhoods.
2. Potential for disease transmission is greater when animals congregate at unnatural food sources.
3. Territorial and isolated by nature, bears which are brought together at an unnatural food source will be instinctively confrontational. Cubs are particularly vulnerable in these unsafe situations.
4. Supplemental feeding adversely affects bears natural cycles of reproduction and hibernation. Bears rely on cues from their surroundings to dictate their activities. They exhibit delayed implantation, a biological strategy wherein embryos do not immediately implant in the uterus, but are maintained in a state of dormancy. This strategy allows for reproduction when favorable metabolic or environmental conditions occur (such as available food and appropriate weather). Supplemental feeding plays a major role in implantation and the number of cubs produced. Artificial enhancement of available food could lead to unsupportable cub populations in the wild, and exacerbate our urban bear problem. Supplemental feeding can also delay, or in some cases, altogether forestall natural hibernation cycles. Wildlife agencies do not support intentional or unintentional feeding of bears, and some states, such as Alaska, have laws against it. In the Tahoe area, biologists from the U.S. Forest Service, the California Department of Parks and Recreation, the California Department of Fish and Game, and NDOW agree that it is best to let animals stay wild and adapt to changing environmental conditions as they have been doing for millennia.

The Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW) protects, restores and manages fish and wildlife, promotes fishing, hunting, and boating safety. NDOW’s wildlife and habitat conservation efforts are primarily funded by sportsmen’s license and conservation fees and a federal surcharge on hunting and fishing gear. Support wildlife and habitat conservation in Nevada by purchasing a hunting, fishing, or combination license. For more information, visit www.ndow.org.

The regular firearm season for deer is nearing, with opening day for residents on Saturday, October 27, and Monday, October 29 for nonresidents. The season will continue through Saturday, November 24th.

Department biologists believe that if normal hunting conditions and hunter effort take place statewide, the deer harvest in Maine should be in the vicinity of 29,580 deer. This would be higher than the 20-year average harvest since the any-deer permit regulations were put into effect (28,704) and would be similar to the 2006 harvest of 29,918.

The total deer kill for each of the past ten deer seasons is as follows: 2006 - 29,918; 2005 - 28,148; 2004 - 30,926; 2003 - 30,313; 2002 — 38,153; 2001 — 27,769; 2000 - 36,885; 1999 - 31,473; 1998 - 28,241; 1997 - 31,152; 1996 - 28,375; 1995 - 27,384; 1994 - 24,683.

The department manages the state’s deer population through the Any Deer permit system, which allows a hunter to kill an antlerless deer. To reach deer population management objectives in 2007, the department has set doe harvest quotas ranging from zero to 1,295 among our 29 WMDs. This year’s projected doe kill of 8,488 statewide, is 3.5% below the doe harvest achieved in 2006. This reduced doe quota from 2006 reflects cold February temperatures and deep late season snows that increased winter mortality in many northern and central Wildlife Management Districts. A total of 66,275 any-deer permits were issued statewide ranging from 75 permits in WMD 10 in central Penobscot county to 11,000 in WMD 17(central Maine). WMDs 1-5, 19, 27 and 28 will not have any permits allocated.

The allocation of 66,275 any-deer permits, along with the archery and youth seasons, should result in the statewide harvest of roughly 8,688 does and an additional 4,952 fawns in 2007. Antlered buck harvests should approximate 15,940 slightly lower than the buck kill of 16,149 in 2006.

Currently, The archery season for deer is ongoing, having started on September 27. In certain suburban areas of the state where high population densities of deer are common, an expanded archery season began on September 8, and will continue until December 8.

The fall wild turkey shotgun season is ongoing, concluding tomorrow. The fall archery season for wild turkeys concludes Saturday in some parts of the state, and October 26 in others. Please consult your hunting lawbook for which Wildlife Management Districts are open for turkey hunting. A fall turkey hunting permit is required.

Data collected by the state Game and Fish Department over the past several years has allowed biologists to make some observations regarding the continued presence of mountain lions in North Dakota

Dorothy Fecske, department furbearer biologist, said DNA analysis of 17 lions sampled since 2004 indicates that mountain lions probably have been breeding in the badlands of western North Dakota for at least the past decade

“Most of the lions were not related to each other,” Fecske said. “This provides clear evidence that multiple breeding-age females likely occurred in the badlands since the late 1990s.”  Also, the age and sex composition of lions taken in the badlands during the past two hunting seasons indicates the population apparently has not declined because of hunter harvest

During the past two hunting seasons (not including 2007), no breeding-age females were taken by hunters and all animals taken appeared in good nutritional condition. “The adult breeding-age females are the most important animals to keep track of, especially for a relatively small and isolated lion population like we have in North Dakota,” Fecske said

Data also suggests the mountain lion population may be expanding into the northern Missouri River breaks, the counties bordering Lake Sakakawea and the upper reaches of the Missouri River. Four confirmed sightings have been documented in this area over the past 18 months, compared to only one confirmed sighting the previous five years. Also, the Three Affiliated Tribes reported an increase in mountain lion sightings on the Fort Berthold Reservation in 2007 than in previous years

According to a habitat suitability map, the badlands and Missouri River breaks contain sufficient suitable habitat to support a small population of 45 to 74 resident adult animals if there were no hunting mortality. Fecske said mountain lions historically have appeared in this region of the state

Since July, the department has continued to receive reports of lions and lion activity in North Dakota, including a road-killed male found in Hettinger County; a photo of a lion kitten estimated at 6-9 months old in Mercer County; and a litter of two 6-8-week-old kittens in Dunn County

Also, hunters during the 2007-08 mountain lion hunting season (through Oct. 12) have harvested three lions - two in Dunn County and the other in McKenzie County. Two were sub-adult females, while the other was an adult female. Hunters can take any mountain lion other than kittens (lions with visible spots), or females accompanied by kittens

Another note of interest is that a young male, fitted with a radio-collar last November after inadvertently getting caught in a trap in the badlands, has remained in the region. The lion has traveled over an area of 140 square miles in 11 months

“We continue to document lion activity in North Dakota. We don’t have all the answers yet, but every passing month we are learning more about the state’s lion population and how to properly manage it,” Fecske said

A report summarizing mountain lions in North Dakota, including a status report prior to 2006 and information collected since, is available on the Game and Fish Department website at http://gf.nd.gov/.

More than a quarter of New Hampshire’s moose hunters were successful during the first two days of the 20th annual New Hampshire moose season, achieving a 28.6% success rate on the opening weekend of the hunt. On Saturday and Sunday (October 20 and 21), a total of 193 moose were taken by moose hunters statewide - 141 bulls and 52 cows. By this same point in the season last year (2006), a total of 200 moose had been taken.

“I’m actually surprised that hunters have done this well so far, in light of the hot weather,” said Kristine Rines, Moose Project Leader for the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department. Moose are equipped with thick coats of hair, which makes them well adapted for cold temperatures; when it’s hot, they tend to seek shade and do not move around much, making it harder for hunters to find them, Rines explained.

The two largest moose taken so far were bulls that weighed in at 880 pounds each (dressed weight); one was shot in Wildlife Management Unit B, and the other was taken in Unit E1. One successful opening weekend hunter reported that he had never even shot a deer before, let alone a moose — guess you could call that beginner’s
luck!

New Hampshire’s nine-day moose hunt continues through Sunday, October 28, 2007.

This year, a record 16,779 people entered the 2007 moose hunt lottery, held last spring, for a chance to be offered one of the 675 permits issued to hunt moose in the Granite State.

For more about moose hunting in New Hampshire, visit http://www.wildlife.state.nh.us/Hunting/Hunt_species/hunt_moose.htm.

The New Hampshire Fish and Game Department is the guardian of the state’s fish, wildlife and marine resources and their habitats. Visit http://www.HuntNH.com.

During the 2006-2007 deer season, Delaware hunters met with great success, bagging 14,401 deer, the second highest number in state history. The total harvest was 268 deer short of tying the all-time harvest record of 14,669 set during the 2004-2005 season.
“In many portions of the state, the Division’s goal is to reduce the deer population. As a result, seasons and bag limits are set up to encourage the harvest of antlerless deer, specifically females,” said Joe Rogerson, Game Mammal Biologist with the Division of Fish and Wildlife.
Continuing a five-year trend, more than 50 percent of the overall harvest was comprised of female deer , while 74.4 percent of the overall harvest was antlerless. “Delaware hunters should be applauded for their willingness to harvest antlerless deer, as this is the key to population control,” Rogerson added.
The November shotgun season again was the most bountiful season for Delaware deer hunters. During the eight-day season, 6,037 of the 14,401 total were harvested. “Considering the entire deer season is five months it is remarkable how many deer are harvested in such a short time period,” Rogerson said.
This also marked the second year of the recently implemented January handgun season. A similar number of deer were harvested in both seasons: 114 in 2005-2006 and 135 in 2006-2007.
For a more detailed summary of the overall harvest, visit the “White-tailed Deer Information” section on the Division’s website at http://www.fw.delaware.gov/Info/DeerInfo.htm.
Mr. Rogerson will give a presentation regarding the harvest at the Wildlife Advisory Council Meeting to be held at 7:30 p.m., Tuesday, June 26 in the auditorium of DNREC’s Richardson and Robbins Building in Dover. Topics for discussion will include the Chronic Wasting Disease Response Plan the Division recently completed, as well as the outline for developing the State’s Deer Management Plan.
For more information on the deer harvest or other deer issues, please contact Joe Rogerson, Fish and Wildlife Game Mammal Biologist, at 302-653-2883.