Commonwealth Hunters join those across the Potomac in Maryland this month in having a statewide deer archery season. October is a great month to have your “knees in the trees”while seeing the woods go through one of it’s most beautiful transitions. No one more than archery hunters know what a “room with a view” really is. Even if you don’t get the opportunity to harvest a deer, the knowledge and experience gained becomes a precious commodity for the upcoming muzzleloader and gun seasons. While there are those who prefer to hunt at ground level, tree stands provide significant strategy when deer hunting. Whitetail deer have exceptional abilities to detect smells foreign to their environment. Their hearing is also keen and while it is said they may be color blind, they still see very well, in black and white. Thus, being elevated in either a fixed or portable tree stand provides a significant benefit when hunting deer. Using tree stands require safety practices to prevent injuries due to falls from the stand, slipping while climbing or worn parts or weak limbs and trees. Always wear a safety harness during the climb, descent and while sitting in the stand. Take the time to check out the parts of your portable stand each time it is used. Look for worn or loose parts and replace or tighten them. Check for anchor points or where fixed stands are secured to a tree to ensure the stand is stable and will support your weight. Trees and any limbs which support the stand are also subject to failure, wear and age. When you go hunting, tell someone where you will be and what time you expect to return. Consider carrying a cell phone and check in when you are heading back or tracking deer. 

     Virginia’s 2003 statewide deer archery season opens on October 4 and continues through November 14. This year a “Special Urban Archery Season” opened on September 20 and continues through October 3. It reopens on January 5, 2003 and continues through March 27. The Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries (DGIF) provides the following information concerning the Special Urban Archery Season; “Localities that have chosen to participate during the 2003-04 season are the cities of Colonial Heights, Franklin, Lynchburg, and Martinsville; the towns of Altavista, Amherst, Blacksburg, Christiansburg, Farmville, Independence, Tazewell, and West Point; and Fairfax County. During this season, only antlerless deer (does and button bucks) may be taken... All normal daily and season bag limits, tagging requirements, and checking regulations apply to the urban archery season and the regular seasons.” For additional information and specific regulations concerning Virginia’s 2003-04 urban archery season for deer, visit the DGIF website at, www.dgif.state.va.us. 

     Maryland’s 2003-04 deer archery season opened on September 15 and continues through January 31, 2004. Maryland’s Department of Natural Resources (DNR) notes that, “Legislation passed by the Maryland General Assembly allows archery deer hunters to hunt white-tailed deer and sika deer on the first Sunday in November, (Nov. 2.) On this day, archery deer hunters can hunt only on private property within the following counties: Allegheny, Calvert, Caroline, Cecil, Charles, Dorchester, Garrett, Kent, Queen Anne’s, St. Mary’s, Talbot and Washington.” During the 2003-04 deer archery season in Maryland, hunters will have the option to use crossbows on the following dates; Oct. 1-15, 2003 and Jan. 15-31, 2004. Concerning the use of crossbows, Maryland’s DNR provides the following guidance; “Crossbows are now permissible for all hunters during the firearm and muzzleloader seasons. All bow hunters including crossbow hunters must purchase a Muzzleloader Stamp in order to hunt with a crossbow during the muzzleloader seasons. Disabled hunters who want to use a crossbow during any other time must still possess a special crossbow permit. Any hunter who is 65 years of age or older or possesses a Resident Senior hunting license may use a crossbow to hunt deer during all Maryland hunting seasons. Crossbow hunters and vertical bow (straight limb, recurve, compound) hunters must possess a Bow Stamp with a valid hunting license in order to hunt deer during Maryland’s Bow Season. Any deer taken with a crossbow will count toward the hunter’s appropriate Regional Bow Bag Limit.” For additional information on Maryland’s deer archery seasons, check out the DNR website. www.dnr.state.md.us/huntersguide. 

© 2003 Steve & Chelly Scala All Rights Reserved