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Deer hunting numbers continue to drop

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By Jim Morris, Contributing columnist 12:28 AM Sunday, November 13, 2011

Ohio bow hunters are off to a good start for the current deer season, even if the 45,836 deer killed during the first six weeks of the state’s archery season is 11 percent lower than last year’s kill of 51,543 for the same period.

The archery season started Sept. 24 and will continue through Feb. 5.

“While the season is still young, harvest figures for the second year in a row suggest that our liberal seasons and use of the antlerless deer permit may be having the desired impact on herds in those areas of the state where reductions are needed most,” said Mike Tonkovich, deer project leader for Ohio Division of Wildlife.

Ohio had a record deer kill two years ago and dropped off about 8 percent for the entire season last year. The early bow count this year could be the first signal of another drop for the 2011-2012 season.

Tonkovich has indicated the record in 2009-2010 might have been the peak, at least for a while.

The statewide deer population was estimated to be 750,000 in early October. Approximately 345,000 bow hunters are expected to participate in the statewide deer-archery hunting season.

Youth season set

Ohio’s youth deer-gun hunting season will be held Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 19-20, with a special event slated for Highland County.

The youth deer-gun season is open statewide to hunters 17 years old and younger. All participants must have a valid Ohio hunting license and a $12 youth-deer permit, and must be accompanied by a non-hunting adult in the field.

Youth hunters that want to donate venison to the needy can do so at no cost. The Division of Wildlife is collaborating with Farmers and Hunters Feeding the Hungry to help pay for the processing of donated venison. All hunters who donate their deer to a food bank are not required to pay the processing cost as long as funding for the effort lasts. More information about this program can be found at www.fhfh.org.

Highland County Deer Hunters, a Whitetails Unlimited (WTU) Chapter will hold a youth hunter appreciation day, including lunch, prizes and activities on Sunday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Holtfield Station, 620 S. High St., Hillsboro. For more information, call WTU’s Tim Schlater at (937) 403-5811.

Hunter education

The Division of Wildlife will host hunter education courses this month at two wildlife areas in southwest Ohio: Rush Run and Fallsville.

Both areas will host home study courses Friday evening, Nov. 18. Students wishing to attend the hunter education courses must register online at www1.oh.wildlifelicense.com/training_index.php or call (800) WILDLIFE to register. Advance registration is required and course space is limited.

Registered participants will be given study information, times and location directions for courses.

Outdoors columnist Jim Morris can be reached through his website at www.examiner.com/outdoor-recreation-in-dayton/jim-morris or by email at sports@DaytonDailyNews.com.

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