Antlerless deer licenses remaining after the three rounds of mail-in applications are now available for purchase.
The labels are available over the counter from the county treasurer, or applications can be mailed.
While I was at the courthouse buying my extra labels on Monday morning, WMU 2D was almost out of stock. Despite having a much smaller supply, WMU 2E still had several thousand tags available.
A good number of people were buying licenses, but there were enough staff to process the sale.
Hunters can own up to six antlerless tags at a time. If a tag is filled, a hunter can purchase another, if available. The number of remaining tags for a particular WMU can be found on the Pennsylvania Gaming Commission website.
Archery season is fast approaching, and hunters there should begin final preparations before opening day. The most obvious equipment needed for archery is the bow, arrows, and broadheads. Once the basics are in order, accessories like camouflage clothing, window shades, or tree stands can be considered.
If a hunter can remain still and alert, hunting from the ground is effective without having to carry anything but a bow. Mobility is an advantage when hunting from the ground, though a bit of a deterrent, as it’s too easy to pick up and move elsewhere.
Those who hunt from elevated perches should inspect them before each hunt.
Between off-season weight gain, clothing, and hunting gear, it’s easy for a hunter to approach or exceed Treestand’s safe weight rating. Telling a family member or friend when and where he plans to climb may seem redundant, but it could be critical information in the event of an accident.
While tree safety is obvious, broadheads and knives are another risk for archery hunters. Designed to cut and sharp, these tools must be handled with care. Quality covers and cases are needed, and if you notice a sloppy fit, replace the item.
A small first aid kit should be part of your bowhunting package with an emphasis on dressing a cut wound.
Practicing with your archery gear is fun and allows for better chances of a quick, clean kill. Knowledge of arrow placement in regards to a deer’s anatomy is important as angle and distance will create variables in performance.
Deer react to the sound of the bowstring by crouching down to prepare for flight. Often referred to as dodging the arrow, a hunter can combat this by aiming for the lower third of vitals.
The blood trail is an important part of bowhunting. Looking to see where and how a deer ran after being shot is the first step toward a blood trail. You can sometimes hear or see the deer go down, or follow the first 150 yards of the blood trail. The lack of an exit wound can make it difficult to work on the lane, making post-shot information invaluable.
Hunters must be confident in their abilities and avoid bad shots so that every deer shot can be pursued with the hope of finding it.
I have found several males that left no trace of blood when searching the area they were headed for. If you are new to blood tracing, consider asking someone else to help you with the task. Patience in finding the trail and then marking it as you go will give you a good chance of getting your deer back.
Squirrel season is underway, allowing hunters the opportunity to explore the great outdoors. Squirrels are plentiful and can provide some exciting hunts.
The animal cleans easily and a limit of six allows enough for the pot. If you’re using shot shells, you’ll want to investigate all of the pellet holes with the point of a knife to avoid biting into a shot.
There are many recipes available to prepare the squirrel.
In early fall, you should pack bug spray in case you find yourself in a swarm. Treating your clothing and hunting boots with permetherin to combat ticks is something to consider, if you haven’t already.