Delaware DNREC
 

After reading the following release from DNREC I am very upset. This hunt should be run like the other White Clay Creek managment hunts by a on site lotto the day of the hunt. It is BS that this hunt was given to some group of "Master Hunters". If I would have know that I had additional hunting oportunities open to me, expecially of this quality, I would have persued it. How do you become a "Master Hunter" anyways, anyone know? At least it's not snipers at considerable taxpayer expense.
Managed Deer Hunt to be Conducted at the Middle Run Valley Natural Area Park
The DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife in conjunction with the New Castle County Department of Special Services will be conducting a managed deer hunt on Monday and Tuesday, Dec. 18 and 19, in the Middle Run Valley Natural Area Park near Newark. For safety reasons, the park will be closed to public access on the days of the hunt.

Due to increased development and subsequent wildlife habitat loss in northern New Castle County, the number of human/deer conflicts has risen over recent years, and the need for deer population control in this region is greatly warranted. In December 2005, the Division conducted an infrared aerial survey to determine the statewide deer population. Deer Management Zone 1, which consists of New Castle County north of the C&D Canal, had the highest deer density in the state, 145.4 deer per square mile of deer habitat.

Problems associated with an overabundant deer population in urban landscapes include: increased deer/vehicle collisions; damage to ornamental trees, shrubs, flowers, and gardens; increased incidence of diseases such as Lyme disease; longer or unnatural deer breeding and fawning seasons; and unhealthy deer population due to food shortages and stress induced problems from unnaturally high deer densities. In addition, areas with high deer populations can suffer environmental degradation due to over browsing, which can have negative impacts on the mammal, bird, reptile, and amphibian communities that require the understory for survival.

Many residents have been using non-lethal techniques such as chemical repellents, scarecrows, noise making devices and fences to prevent deer damage to their trees, shrubs, and gardens. With varying degrees of success, these techniques may reduce deer damage in the short term but they are costly and do nothing to solve the problem of an overabundant deer population.

Currently, there isn’t an acceptable immunocontraceptive drug that will reduce or prevent pregnancy in deer. Further, the current drugs being tested are only authorized for research purposes. The Division has always supported hunting as a deer population control technique and the harvest of female deer during the hunt will help to reduce the population and thus alleviate some human/deer conflicts.

To ensure the event is conducted with the highest possible concern for public safety, the Division has elected to only use Certified Master Hunters, all of whom have been pre-selected, as hunt participants. To become a Certified Master Hunter an individual must have attended and successfully completed the Delaware Master Hunter Conservation Module of Instruction. The course covers a broad range of subjects such as public attitudes on hunting, wildlife management and conservation, Delaware hunting heritage, fair chase hunting, quality deer management, current controversial issues and hunter/private landowner relations. He or she must also have attended two other educational/safety classes and passed a criminal history background check.

The harvest of female deer will be the emphasis of the managed hunt. All hunters will be allowed to harvest antlerless deer but a random few will selected on the morning of the hunt for the opportunity to harvest an antlered deer.

In an effort to increase the overall harvest, successful hunters will be encouraged to donate extra venison to the Delaware Sportsman Against Hunger Program, which was formed in 1992 by a coalition of sporting groups with DNREC as the primary sponsor. Last year, more than 30,000 pounds of venison were donated, providing more than 120,000 meals for the hungry.

“Delaware’s hunters have been willing to share their good fortune with others,” said Greg Moore, Wildlife Administrator with the Division of Fish and Wildlife. “Over the past 13 years, the program has provided more than 800,000 nutritious meals for needy Delawareans. We are most grateful to hunters for helping fight hunger in our state, and we encourage them to participate again this season.”

For more information or questions regarding the managed hunt or any other deer issue, please contact Joe Rogerson, Fish and Wildlife Game Mammal Biologist, at 302-653-2883.

For questions regarding the Middle Run Valley Natural Area Park property, please contact Jonathan Husband, New Castle County Engineering & Environmental Services Manager, at 302-395-5746.

RE: Delaware DNREC
 

There's information in the hunters digest you can pick up at any store that sells hunting and fishing supplies or you can go online and check it out.

RE: Delaware DNREC
 

This was in your own copy and paste of the artical.

RE: Delaware DNREC
 

Just a few peices of missing information about the hunt and reasons why it was not run like a White Clay Creek hunt.

1. I first learned of the Master Hunter program while attending one of the open meetings held by DNREC when all of the hoopla was generated about the so called "sharpshooters" coming in to take additional deer for testing. (Incidentally, the term "sharpshooters" came from the news article in the News Journal paper. That term was never in the press release from DNREC. As we all know, the News Journal likes to put their spin on things. Can't let facts get in the way of a good story!)
2. Folks who live in Urban/Suburban areas as well as many farmers said they would entertain the idea of hunting provided those people who would hunt these areas had advanced training in all areas of hunting, safety, marksmanship,ethics etc.
3. As stated in several posts here, the info is available on the DNREC website as well as the booklet you get when purchasing a hunting license.
4. Since this area has not been hunted in a very long time. Probably 20 years at least, there were no stands from which to hunt as there are at White Clay Creek.
5. All hunters were assigned a specific spot from which to hunt and we were instructed not to wander around for safety reasons as we had no idea where other hunters may be posted.
6. There were about 20 hunters in all and only 4 names were drawn from a hat to determine 4 lucky folks who could harvest a buck. Our instructions were to kill as many antlerless deer as possible under the following conditions:
a.Safety First - The last thing we needed was a hunting accident.
b. Clean - One Shot Kills - No shots on running deer! We didn'twant to lose any deer. Especially since this park is used by nature lovers, hikers, mountain bikers and fitness aficianados. We don't want them seeing dead carcasses lying around.
c. Field dressing was to be done away from any trails for the same reason.
d. If we saw anyone in the area hiking, bike riding, protesting etc., do not talk to them. We had the phone number for some DNREC folks who would handle the situation. All of the surrounding residents and businesses were notified of the hunt and that the park would be closed to the public for the 2 days of the hunt.

Now for the fun stuff.

I was in a group of 3 hunters taken to a part of the park off of Possum Park Road. We entered the park through a housing development where the price of the homes was in the high 6 figure range, maybe even 7 figures. We entered the park through a public access gate between 2 of the homes. The first thing we saw within 75 yards of the gate was about 40 to 50 deer feeding in the field. Next to woods to the right of the field were 2 of the biggest racked deer I have ever seen in the "wild". Both of these deer would easily have made B&C. Couldn't get a real good look as we didn't want to look like we were "spotlighting deer" so we parked our trucks and shut off the lights. We then got into the truck with the DNREC "guide" who drove "through" the herd of deer part way down the field to an access point where we all piled out and were ******ed to our hunting spots.
7 AM - Real nice 8 pointer walks by. Alas I was not one of the chosen few to take a buck. Had to let him walk.
9 AM - DNREC employees and some volunteers start driving to move deer from areas where hunters were not placed due to safety coniderations.
9:15 - Hunter directly across the creek from me shoots a deer. 8 deer come running down the hill from where the shot was. They stop before crossing the creek. I have a 125 yd shot, but got brush between me and the deer so I don't risk wounding a deer, and they run off.
10:15 - 15 deer coming charging down the opposite hillside. Hunter across the way shoots doe at the creek bottom when they stop. At the sound of the shot, the remaing deer disperse.2 to myleft running through brush, 2 more sneaking across to the left. 10 more coming up from the bottom towards me. Here's my chance, right? Nope. They don't come up all the way and turn below a small rise on the hillside to my right. All I can see are few ears, noses and eyeballs. No clean shot available. Now the 2 deer that snuck across the creek to myleft are walking right at me. Looks like 2 spikes at first glance but as they get closer, I count a 7 pointer and an 8 pointer withspreads that approached a whopping 8 inches! 20 yards, broadside, standing! The hunting gods are taunting me!!
11:00 - DNREC comes to pick me up.

All total I heard about 30 shots. I didn't stick around to see what was brought in to be checked.

If this hunt over the 2 days proves to be succesfull, it will be used as amodel for future hunts in similar circumstances.

SeaNymph - If you want to be part of the Master Hunter program. You need to be willing to invest the time to attend the training classes. As far as this hunt being BS, I think all of us hunters should be happy that we now have a way available to us to access some of these areas.
One DNREC person said that the hope was that eventually, this area could be managed the same way as White Clay Creek. This managed hunt will be the first giant step to the possibility ofgreater opportunities in the future.

RE: Delaware DNREC
 

tz,
Great blow by blow account on the hunt Thanks much for a clarificaion on "BS"

Amazing how this BS came together to make perfect sense :D

RE: Delaware DNREC
 

Great story. Sorry you didnt get any deer. If was there, they all would have avoided me and surely come to you! ;) I'll have to invest in the master hunters program to help out my fellow hunters get deer. :D

RE: Delaware DNREC
 

Anyone around the Dover area want to attend the classes with me ? How bout you AJ ? And Ron, you interested?

RE: Delaware DNREC
 

Rick
Yes Sir- I'm wanting to take this course.When and where is the big ??
Before I search the dreaded DNREC site - are there dates and times set??

After reading all the cert requirements I'm wondering which seminars/schools already attended count towards this cert,as mentioned in the hunters handbook. I've attended 2 DE sponsored QDMA seminars.The last one was in Jan or Feb in Milford.A 4-5 hr seminar.

Anyway - I'd love to make this Master Hunter a done deal in the very near future.

RE: Delaware DNREC
 

AJ,
I know that the QDMA Deer School Qualifies as 1 of the requirements, If that is what you attended. You got 1 in the book already. The other requirements are that you have attended the Core Conservation Course. This is a 2 day affair. You also have to have record of having attended the regular hunter safety course. I did mine years ago in PA and got them to send me a replacement card. You also have to attend something like the QDMA Deer school, deer hunting 101 by DNREC or the Turkey classes. You then have to attend 1 of the classes that require you to shoot and show that you can hit what you are aiming at such as the archery class, muzzleloader or hangun hunting course. Then you get a form to take to the State Police where you are fingerprinted and a background check is done. DNREC pays for all of this. All of the courses are free. Once you are certified as a MH, you must attend at least1 hunting course per year or attend 3 of the regularly scheduled monthly DNREC metings to maintain your certification. As I said before, all it takes is a commitment of time.

RE: Delaware DNREC
 

Thanks tz,
I Just need to find out if either of these QDMA deer seminars were classified as a "deer school" as stated in the handbook.

RE: Delaware DNREC
 

Al,
All I have at present is a Md hunter safty cert. Looks like I need a lot but that's no problem. I guess a few phone calls will set the wheels in motion. If you can't get the info I will try next week sometime to.

RE: Delaware DNREC
 

Ken,

Thanks for the great account of the hunt, I felt like I was with you. I love to read stories like that, expecially about areas I care greatly about. The reason I am upset is that I did not know that If I participated in the Master Hunter Program, and put the time in, I would have a oportunity at a hunt like you were able to participate in. I would gladly have put the time in, and I am going to persue the Master Hunter program to become certified so I have the oportunity in the future. Did you know that you were going to have the opportunity for a hunt like this before you signed up for the master hunter program? If so, where did you find out from? I could not find any information, or press releases that said there would be additional opportunities provided for hunters thru this program.

RE: Delaware DNREC
 

It was mentioned at the meeting I attended at DNREC when they were discussing the use of Dept. of Agriculture employees to take out the 600 deer for study purposes (aka the "snipers") last year. I gave my info to Greg Moore (with DNREC)and I got on the list. The first classes were held this past Jan, Feb and March.
In case anyone is interested, there was some interesting things that happened with the"600 sample deer"
At the DNREC mtg, a bunch of folks told DNREC that if they wanted samples, don't spend the money for the Dept of Ag people, we'd do it for free and drop off the deer. Thebigproblem was that hunters would have to use their own tags for the deer and would not be given a replacement tag.That didn't go over well. DNREC setup refrigerated containers at drop off points around the state for the Jan shotgun and Muzzleloader seasons and hunters could donate the deer. Well, hunters only donated a little over 100 deer. So DNREC brought in the Dept of Ag folks to get the remaining 500+ sample deer. The method was using 2 small caliber rifles (a .223 and a 22-250)with suppressors attached, spotlighting the deer, and shooting them. Incidentaly, one of the guys at the DNREC meeting quipped, "We do that crap and you call it poaching and arrest us!"
Anyway, the "professionals" only managed about another 100 deer. One of the bioligists stated that anytime they shined a spotlight into a farm field the deer would run. Seems they'd been through this drill before! Anyway, the final cost ended up being more expensive on the donated deer 'cause they paid people overtime to sit at the drop off points.

RE: Delaware DNREC
 

Oh yeah. Your other question. The part about special hunts. I brought up the fact that many of the folks in DE who were complaining about excess deer, were the same people who did not allow hunting on their properties. Farmers in particular. My stand has always been, if you don't allow hunting to control the deer on your property, you have no right to complain.
Which brings me to another point.
This past year the legislature passed a bill allowing farmers to shoot deer, anytime during the year if they were causing "documentable damage" to crops. SeaNymph - If you want to call something BS, this is real BS. If ever there was something that was ripe for abuse, this is it. There are some provisions which must be met before a farmer can start shooting deer, but I'd be willing to wager most of 'em won't worry about a bunch of silly rules. They're going to start shooting deer. I hope it doesn't turn out to disastrous results like the PA deer situation.
To finish out my note here, DNREC stated at the meeting that many farmers and suburbanites would be open to the idea of allowing hunting provided the hunters had additional training and were "certified" by DNREC as being safe, ethical folks. Thus the idea of the Master Hunter program was born. It's not a new concept. Many European countries have used this approach for years. There are also similar programs in many other states. As I stated previously, my hope is that this past weeks hunt was a success both in deer reduction in the area, but more importantly, public perception of hunters as avaluable tool to maintain healthy wildlife populations.

RE: Delaware DNREC
 

Rick,
MD Hunter card will work for the basic hunter safety requirement.

RE: Delaware DNREC
 

Tz yov've been very informative with this issue. I too attended one meeting last year in Dover as it was my 1st year here in De and I wanted to learn as much as possable. I have followed this story with the 600 dear from start to present. I did not hunt De this year being my 1st full year herewith very little connections, but I plan to hit the woods a running in the upcoming yearafter a lot of learning the state andcarring all the credentals available including the master hunter certifacation. Maybe we will meet at one of these special hunts or maybe aDNREC meeting.

RE: Delaware DNREC
 

I heard today there will be a QDMA seminar/school at the R&R bldg in Dover Jan 27th.The master hunter program will be discussed at meeting.This QDMA/seminar/school/meeting should count for 1 part of master hunter cert.

RE: Delaware DNREC
 

I'm getting some more info from my huntng buddy who met the guy who help put this master hunter program together(can't remember guys name?).

I'm being told the QDMA school will be on Sunday Jan 28th.Last Jan it was on Sat - last day of gun season[:'(] Can't find anything on DNREC site to confirm this.Anyway - if all holds true from last year it should be on last weekend in Jan.

RE: Delaware DNREC
 

Anybody going to attend QDMA school/class 9 AM Sunday Jan 28th in the auditorium at Richardson Robinson Bldg,Dover.

I believe the web site said it runs until 3pm??

If you've never been to this school its interesting and informative.

RE: Delaware DNREC
 

I talked to Bill Dugent and this class will be on Sunday Jan 28th from 9:00am to 3:00 pm in the Denrec Buld in Dover. He himself will be there as I.

RE: Delaware DNREC
 

Rick,
See you there.At least one other guy will be there from our hunting farm.

RE: Delaware DNREC
 

;).

RE: Delaware DNREC
 

Wish I would've found you guys before the meeting today. Sort of stumbled upon the site getting ready this morning. Anyway, I thought the QDMA was excellent today. As far as the MH being offered special hunts, I think was an afterthought. More of an effort to get the right PR out there for a managed hunt. There was a lot of evidence today that the MH pool is going to be used more in the future. And the bill about farmers shooting all year never made it. DNREC talked about it today. There is however a new severe deer damage program to help farmers who are really getting hit hard.

RE: Delaware DNREC
 

Jim those managed hunts are being geered to the Master Hunter Program. It looks like to me you have be a certified Master Hunter to partisipate in them hence why I was there.
I saw Al (AJ52) there, too bad we couldn't meet. Maybe at the next one. I'm going to attend the advanced Bowhunting courseand maybe a ML courseand I will have all I need to be certified. Bill told me it's on the web site but I can't find it anywhere. He said to call him while on line and we'll see if we can't find it together. He's a very helpful guy. Anyway that one is supposed to be in Sryma.

RE: Delaware DNREC
 

Here is the schedule Rickmur. http://www.fw.delaware.gov/NR/rdonlyres/A6E80110-D511-41D6-96E4-A9058BD284EF/0/Schedule2007200818JAN07anddirections.pdf

RE: Delaware DNREC
 

DJ,
Thanks for the link.Finding specific info on that site can be a pain in the Butt.I printed it:)

I've been to 4-5 QDMA classes,schools,seminars over the years in various locations in Kent and Sussex from a firehall to my old high school.Sunday was the largest turnout I've ever seen - Thats a great thing for hunters and F&W.

Very informative and educational.I always pick up something new at these meetings.We had 4 of 6 guys that hunt or will be hunting our Deer farm attend the school.

I'm attending hunter safety in Feb(long lost my original card) and 2 addt'l classes,send in my app and I should be good to go as Master Hunter.

RE: Delaware DNREC
 

AJ I wish I had known about it in time I would've attended it, didnt have anything better to do , just bummed around all day, I havent talked to Rick lately, I could have spent a day at the R&R building. I have to go down tomorrow I have a meeting with Chazz..so one more trip to Dover no big deal...

RE: Delaware DNREC
 

I told you about it Ron, you said no.DJ, I talked to Bill today and he led me to the schedule but thanks anyway, saved it in my favorites and reserved a spot for the advanced bowhunting course on 4/21 & 4/22. ML and shotgun have yet to be anounnced but will attend those also.

RE: Delaware DNREC
 

Ron,

Say Hi to Chazz for me.

BTW - I have some good pictures of you from the awards Banq.
Did you get any of those? If not let me know I could e-mail - or - walk down the hall and ask my wife Pat if she could e-mail. Al

RE: Delaware DNREC
 

I didnt see Pat today and I was in her neighborhood, I left Chazz at 3'30 and went meet with Rob Line until around 4 when I left then talked to Chazz again and then Gregg and Esther and a couple others , I have not seen any pictures of the Banquet, but you sure took a lot of them... Rick you asked me about a Master hunter I didnt think this was what that was about, but I might change my mind on that after talking to some Wildlife guys today, next year they will be utilized on special hunts in our park system.....

RE: Delaware DNREC
 

That's why I am attendeing them Ron, thought you knew that.