Virginia deer hunters were provided a pre-season surprise just prior to the opening of the 2005-06 archery season when the Commonwealth announced that crossbows would be legal throughout the deer seasons. Prior to this season-year, hunters using crossbows in Virginia were required to be disabled and have written certification in that regard from a medical doctor. Added as even more of a surprise for 2005-06 was the option of being able to hunt with crossbows in Virginia during the deer firearms seasons as well. Popularity of this unique archery tackle has occurred in great strides much to the delight of sporting and hunting equipment dealers and perhaps, some wildlife biologists. While opinions may vary as to how much impact open crossbow hunting in Virginia will have, there is no doubt that there will be a measurable harvest. Areas where deer have exceeded the “K” factor of their habitat still need the numbers thinned out. (The “K” factor is a tool used by biologists that measures the carrying capacity of an area of habitat in terms of its ability to support a healthy deer herd.) Deer hunting is a popular sport in Virginia and Maryland with multi-million dollar trickle down economies. The introduction of crossbows as an option for all deer hunters in Virginia is bound to further affect that outcome. Maryland continues with a repeat of last year’s crossbow options and has two remaining weeks available during the 2005-06 season, in January. Maryland also has lots of opportunities for compound bow or re-curve archery tackle as well as muzzleloader and firearms deer hunting. In fact, Maryland’s deer archery season continues through January 31, 2006. November and December provide lots of deer hunting options in both Maryland and Virginia. Virginia has several different deer hunting season’s dates and locations where antlerless deer (does) can be harvested. One of the best ways to keep up with where and when you can deer hunt across the Commonwealth is by visiting the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries (DGIF) website at, ; http://www.dgif.state.va.us/ . The telephone number for the main DGIF office in Richmond is (804) 367-1000. Virginia’s DGIF Law Enforcement Division can be reached at (804) 367-1258. Wildlife violations in Virginia can be reported by calling, 1-800-237-5712.

     For hunting information in Maryland, visit the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Wildlife and Heritage Service website at; http://www.dnr.maryland.gov/huntersguide/ Reaching the main office of Maryland’s DNR is done by calling (410) 260-8540. The Maryland DNR Natural Resources Police can be reached at (410) 260-8888. There are only two deer management regions within Maryland identified as Regions A and B. There is also a special “Suburban Deer Archery Zone” within Region B which allows increased harvest of antlerless deer within 5 designated counties.

     Deer hunters in Virginia have an opportunity to share their harvest of venison and help the less fortunate through “Hunters for the Hungry” (HFH). HFH accepts deer donated from hunters and has them processed, wrapped and delivered to food banks, churches and social services who then gets the nutritious meat to those in need. It costs approximately $35 to process and distribute a donated deer, so HFH gratefully accepts any cash donations provided. Mail your checks with tax deductible donations for the HFH Program to; Hunters for the Hungry, P.O. Box 304, Big Island, VA. 24526. When you purchase your 2005-06 Virginia hunting license consider donating the optional $2 to HFH. This amount may not seem like much but it goes a long way if all those buying hunting licenses participate. For additional information on Hunters for the Hungry, call 1-800-352-4868. Visit the HFH website at; http://www.h4hungry.org to see the list of where you can drop off a donated deer.

     Maryland also has a program which coordinates the donation of deer for processing and distribution to those in need. “Farmers and Hunters Feeding the Hungry” (FHFH) can be supported by bringing your harvested deer to a participating location or by donating funds to cover the cost of processing venison. To donate funds to cover the cost of processing deer, send you tax deductible check to, Farmers and Hunters Feeding the Hungry, 216 N. Cleveland Avenue, Hagerstown, MD 21740. Maryland’s Department of Natural Resources (DNR) offers the option of donating $1 to FHFH when purchasing a Maryland hunting license. The FHFH Program in Maryland can be reached by phone at, (301) 739-3000. The FHFH website which includes locations where donated deer can be dropped off in Maryland is; www.fhfh.org. Once at the Farmers and Hunters Feeding the Hungry homepage, select Maryland, for that State’s local programs.

© 2005 Steve & Chelly Scala All Rights Reserved