Antlerless Deer Permit Allocations 07/07/03
MassWildlife Deer Project Leader Bill Woytek presented proposed antlerless deer permit allocations by Deer Management Zone (DMZ) to the Fisheries and Wildlife Board at their June 24 meeting. Woytek's plan calls for a 7% change in permit numbers from the 2002 allocation. "It is critical that deer hunters apply for a permit before the July 16 deadline," says Woytek. "Do not assume there will be large numbers of antlerless permits for over-the-counter sales in the fall." [Comments?]
Final 2002 All Season Deer Summary 04/04/03
MassWildlife Deer Project Leader Bill Woytek reports a record total of 12,264 white-tailed deer taken by licensed hunters during the combined 2002 seasons. An additional 153 deer were taken during the Quabbin Reservation hunt. By season the total breaks down to 8 deer taken during the special season for paraplegic sportsmen, 2819 taken by archers, 8084 taken during the shotgun season and 1350 taken during the muzzleloading season. [Comments?]
Preliminary All Season Deer Numbers 01/27/03
Licensed Massachusetts deer hunters enjoyed their most productive season on record, bagging 12,196 white-tails during the 2002 regulated seasons according to preliminary figures released by MassWildlife. [Comments?]
Preliminary Shotgun Deer Season Figures Are Up 01/06/03
Licensed Bay State hunters took advantage of nearly ideal conditions for much of the shotgun deer season, reporting 8,199 deer at official check stations according to preliminary figures compiled by MassWildlife's five District offices. The shotgun season opened statewide on December 2 running through December 7 on Cape Cod and Martha's Vineyard and through December 14 across the remainder of the state. During the 2001 shotgun season a total of 6,057 deer were checked. The highest shotgun season kill on record was 1995 when 8,131 deer were taken. [Comments?]
Preliminary Archery Deer Season Numbers 12/06/02
Licensed Bay State archers are bringing home the venison to the tune of 2,651 deer harvested during the statewide six week season, according to preliminary figures compiled by MassWildlife's five District offices. District staff contacted 70+ check stations across the state to generate the preliminary tally. Western District stations reported 333 deer checked; Connecticut Valley stations, 445; Central District 604; Northeast District 445 and Southeast District 824. The early figures are slightly behind the 2001 record setting archery total of 2,914 and will likely rank as the second or third highest archery kill ever when finalized. [Comments?]
Preliminary Black Bear Season Results 10/21/02
Licensed Massachusetts black bear hunters took to the woods of western Massachusetts during the September 3 through 21 early season and emerged with 110 bruins which were tagged and brought to MassWildlife check stations. During the same season one year ago, 99 bears were checked. [Comments?]
Remaining Deer Permits Available in October 09/17/02
Licensed deer hunters are reminded that an antlerless deer permit and accompanying tag are required for all antlerless deer taken during the 2002 archery, shotgun and muzzleloader seasons. License holders who applied for a permit through the drawing system have been sent notification cards either advising of their selection for their Deer Management Zone (DMZ) of choice or offering a permit in an alternate DMZ. Remaining permits will be made available over the counter at MassWildlife offices beginning October 2. Check the website at www.MassWildlife.org in late September for the list of DMZs for which permits will be sold. [Comments?]
Antlerless Permit Reminder 06/22/02
Bay State deer hunters are reminded that an antlerless deer permit will be mandatory for any archer, shotgunner or muzzleloader wishing to harvest an antlerless deer during all 2002 deer seasons. The application deadline is July 16. Mail-in applications are provided with 2002 paper licenses purchased from town clerks and vendors while electronic license buyers may apply on-line during or after the purchase of an e-license. The July 16 deadline is firm regardless of the manner by which a sportsman or woman applies. [Comments?]
Antlerless Deer Permits 05/22/02
MassWildlife Deer Project Leader Bill Woytek presented proposed antlerless deer permit allocations by Deer Management Zone (DMZ) to the Fisheries and Wildlife Board at their April meeting. Archers, shotgunners and muzzleloaders will be required to possess and use an antlerless deer permit and tag to take any antlerless deer during all seasons beginning this fall, and must apply for a permit before the July 16 deadline. Woytek's plan calls for no change in permit numbers from the 2001 allocation, with the exception of a reduction in permits for DMZ 12 (Cape Cod) to reflect the change in the zone boundary between DMZs 12 and 11. A total allocation of 41,050 permits for the combined 2002 white-tailed deer seasons was presented to and approved by the Board. [Comments?]
Wanted: More Hunters 05/22/02
The National Audubon Society, a bird conservation group, has posted an article to their web site regarding out of control white tail populations in the eastern United States. The article calls for more hunters and lethal methods of control of white tail deer populations. The author quotes several sources noting that non-lethal methods (deer contraception, trap and transfer) of population control have largely failed. The National Audubon Society's article and position is significant, because it openly acknowledges the need for human lethal control of deer populations. Left unchecked white-tail deer are destroying critical bird habitat. [9 Comments]
Minnesota Black Bear Hunt It was the 12th day of the season, and already I had spent over 24 hours in my stand. The Labor Day Monday opening day had made it difficult to get any
extended time off, and I'd only been able to hunt 4 days. And the weather had not been very cooperative. I'd hunted in everything from 85+ degree heat wearing only thin cotton shorts and a tank beneath my camouflage netting to a
50 degree cold rain wearing several warm layers and a rain suit.
