Well guys, the October rifle season has been scrapped for 02<img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle>. However, before we relax, we had better face two facts: 1-the survey the PGC just contracted says that most hunters favor an early doe kill. 2-Gary Alt is a determined patient man with science on his side and this is what he wants to try. Unless a viable alternative is brought to the table we will have a rifle doe season in October if not in 03 then 04 or 05.
IMHO it is highly improbable that archers will ever kill enough early does to satisfy these goals so we may have to share the October woods with the gunners.
I think any reasonable person would agree that the deer are likely to be very wary for a while after a gun doe season. What most of us love about archery hunting is the opportunity to blend in with the woods and hunt the deer on their terms, not sit on stand and wait for the next guy to boot one past us as is most often the case in gun season. If we wind up having to accept an early gun season I think we need to lobby for a Sept 1 opener for the bowhunters. Then let the riflemen
and women
have a doe season around Oct 1. Then we have 3 weeks or so for the deer to get back into routine before the rut heats up.
Still nervous about the whole thing but I do support an early doe kill and that would mean compromising the bow season.
Does anyone have a better idea? One that might make the guns in October uneccessary? Could the archery doe kill be expanded enough to accomplish what appears to be a firm goal of our deer management team.
BTW if opportunities get expanded for any group it's only fair thaty they be expanded for all groups.
Most of all guys, lets try to keep this one civil and friendly! I'll do my best to play that part!