Reports from the 2013 youth deer
hunting day indicate an exceptionally large harvest, the largest in the
tradition’s five-year history.
1,911 deer
were checked via phone and the internet system, an increase of approximately
45% from 2012; and VDGIF Deer Project Coordinator, W. Matt Knox estimates at
least 700 additional animals checked at game check stations across the state
will raise the harvest number to about 2,600, pending the end of the season in
January when these stations turn in their records.
There are suspected reasons for this
somewhat drastic increase in harvest.
September 28 was a day of tradition for many young hunters, but with a
new twist. New this year, Virginians
hunting under an apprentice license, the VDGIF’s two-year license for beginning
“apprentice” hunters, were also allowed to hunt on what is now called the
“youth/apprentice hunting day.” This
increased the number of hunters afield by about 50%.
In terms of deer killed per licensed and
eligible hunter, the numbers still reveal an increase in success from 2012, but
only as slight as a half of a percent.
Moreover, in past years, and this year,
deer kill numbers from the urban archery season and Northern Virginia season
are also counted in the overall tally.
Also new this year, the Northern Virginia deer season, currently
underway, now allows the use of firearms, as opposed to strictly archery
equipment. Because of this change, the
resulting numbers were likely skewed minimally.
Still, Central Virginians scored rather
averagely in terms of harvest numbers.
Buckingham’s youth/apprentice hunters took 10 deer, Albemarle’s
(including Charlottesville’s) took 16, Fluvanna’s took 14, and Nelson’s took
13, all excluding estimates on animal numbers checked at check stations.
In all, Virginia’s youth, and now
apprentice, hunting day is continuing to grow in success, with the numbers to
prove it. We can be hopeful that the new
change in legislation will only add to this success, recruiting more novice
hunters to the woods where their lives may be changed forever.
What About Bear?
Not only were apprentice licensed hunters
permitted to hunt on this year’s youth/apprentice day, a new species was added
to the “in season” list as well—bear.
Unlike deer, bear must be checked at a game
check station, so that biologists can retrieve the premolar for aging and
population reconstruction and management.
This means that harvest numbers cannot be accurately reported until the
close of the season in January when check cards are collected. However, Virginia’s reputation for having the
best, longest-running, and most comprehensive population reconstruction
information system in the East surely outshines this slight inconvenience.
Other photos, stories, or both can be
submitted via the website or Facebook page.
Trout on the Rise
In the Old Dominion, October means
hunting—deer, bear, and squirrel. But as
the temperatures fall and water temperatures follow, passing back through the
optimal 55- or 60-degree mark that excites fish in the spring, fish again begin
to feed, consuming large meals, preparing to spawn, or settle down for the winter.
Notably, the VDGIF begins their routine
trout stocking schedule in October; and though fisherman in Virginia no longer
adhere to a designated trout season, this new beginning reignites trout fishing
from a summer of low water and sluggish fish.
Stocking efforts make trout available to
many anglers within a slight proximity to the Blue Ridge. A Department-made map, such as can be found
on their website, will reveal numerous access points and detailed information
to help improve your experience. But
remember, other anglers can become pretty attuned to regularly-scheduled
stocking events, and you may find most consistent success in stretches of river
lying downstream from popular fishing spots and road crossings and that require
a little grunt work to reach.
Originally published in the Rural Virginian
1 comment :
Well, there you have it! We're still working on it, but check back and take a look-sy into our "Latest Adventures" page. We will post up photos of our recent outing. This month, it will be the Bridge to Nowhere Hike. We had a blast! Came home soaking wet from all the river and stream crossings.
Deer Scent
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