Look's like we got another week of deer hunting, for those who like hand guns. Gov. Minner signed the bill to allow handgun hunting in Delaware.

http://www.nraila.org/CurrentLegisla...d.aspx?ID=1621

OLDSNOW Thanks for posting the Info.

I'm really shocked. That's Great News for hunters in Delaware wanting to use handguns. Ole Minner is a hard one to figure. This time last year we were told in so many words hand gun hunting had a snow ball chance in hell.

I'm gonna get my son's S&W 44 mag tuned up. Maybe I'll buy my own 44 or 357. Either way, I'm gonna bag my 1st deer this year with a handgun. Something I've wanted to do for years.

Congrats to all you handgun hunters.

You shouldn’t be surprised it passed. Politicians are still getting alot of pressure to get the deer numbers down, despite the fact we still have no solid numbers by zone from DNREC on what the density of the herd. It’s a 'kill the deer at all cost' mentality.

Be careful in what you wish for. Without solid data, the day of reckoning may not be too far down the road.

Duck,
With all do respect to a fellow Delaware hunter, I have no clue where you get your "kill the deer at all cost mentality" from. This is not what I've heard 1st hand and read??

New Castle had or still has the biggest problem with DSM vs Habitat vs Collisions vs Human incroachemnt(I.E. developement). I for one have been to enough F&W meetings to be confident its being handled properly. There is data out there that has been discussed with hunters collected from fly overs,farmers,state parks,field biologists,observing habitat destruction etc...etc...There is a huge push for QDM. Delaware now has its own chapter. Its not ALL about what F&W will do, but the mentality of hunters in the field - Now and in the Future. Thats a whole other topic.

I would like to see this data. I would to see DPSM estimates per zone. The meetings I've been too, that data never seems to be available.

I've already EMailed DNREC asking that if they do institute a handgun season this year, they at least decrease the other gun seasons an equal amount of days. Putting another 6 or so days of gun seasons across the board south of the CD without deer density info per zone would be grossly irresponsible IMO. Of course, they wont do it. Just another six or so days to blast away.

Now, I made it clear that I'm NOT against a handgun season or Liberal seasons for that matter. Never have been. In fact, if DNREC would come to me a say, "Duck we did comprehensive research of the zone you hunt (research should be available to read) and we found that your zone has approx 25 DPSM. Carrying Capcity is really only 20, so we're going with Liberal Seasons" I would believe them. I might even partake of the Oct Shotgun Antlerless Season. I DONT think DNREC is out to wipe out the deer like some PA guys think PGC is trying to do. I just want to see some numbers. Not educated guess, not opinions, not surveys, NUMBERS.

Im sorry AJ, you cant honestly believe that these across the state seasons are responsible. You cant tell me that there are same amount of deer here in North Wilmington as there are in lower Sussex Co. But, the seasons and bag limits are the same. We need good data and seasons dictated by DPSM and Carry Capicity of the areas zones. If this costs too much to find out or it just too complicated, fine. But if so, the seasons should NOT be changed until such info is attainable.

My 10 cents..

PS: My apologies to OLD SNOW for getting a little off the topic.

I will tell you one thing though. If this season goes through, I will be no where near the public grounds during it! I've seen what some clowns do with shotguns. I can only imagine what will go on when the bullets start flying!