Kent further stated, "The numbers suggest that the state’s bow hunters are taking advantage of decent weather, better visibility and more abundant deer. The youth, muzzleloader and firearms deer hunters should expect a similar good season ahead. The successful deer season to date bodes well for the state’s youth deer hunt (October 27-28), which again will provide young hunters under age 16 with the opportunity to take a deer of either sex. Youths must be accompanied by an adult who is at least 18 years of age and has a valid New Hampshire hunting license."

The state’s muzzleloader deer season is November 3 through November 13 in much of the state and the firearms deer season opens November 14 this year. For details of the deer seasons by Wildlife Management Units (WMUs), readers should consult the 2007-2008 New Hampshire Hunting Digest. Deer are the most popular quarry for the more than 60,000 hunters who buy licenses in New Hampshire each year. 

Statistics gathered so far, from New Hampshire’s archery deer season, are listed below with comparisons to this point in the season in previous years. These preliminary figures are estimates based on reported deer registrations by county, not necessarily deer kills in that particular county, and may not include information from all of the deer registration stations.

Deer must be registered at the closest open deer registration station within 24 hours of the kill. A conservation officer may request to see the head and hide of a deer taken under an archery license within 48 hours of the kill. A list of all New Hampshire deer check stations will be found on pages 32 through 37 in the 2007-2008 New Hampshire Hunting Digest. Hunting activities are extremely important to New Hampshire’s economy. According to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, in 2006 more than $80 million dollars in hunting related expenditures were generated in the state. That’s a lot of money. 

On another note, once again New Hampshire hunters can help the less fortunate by sharing all or part of their fall harvest with the "Hunt for the Hungry" program. The New Hampshire Food Bank, based in Manchester, is collecting donations of whole or processed game animals for distribution to more than 350 food pantries, soup kitchens, homeless shelters and group homes statewide.

In 2006, the Hunt for the Hungry program took in 1,280 pounds of donated deer, bear, moose, ducks and other game meats. This was up from nearly 900 pounds donated by New Hampshire hunters in 2005. The program offers packaging instructions and can also pick up your wild game meat donations. To donate game, call Food Bank Operations Manager, Michele Garron at (603) 669-9725. If you are donating a whole deer or moose, you can bring it to Lemay and Sons Beef, in Goffstown. They will process it for the food bank at no charge. You may reach Lemay’s by phone at (603) 622-0022.

"Hunt for the Hungry is a great way for hunters to share their harvest and to help the needy families get through the winter," stated Donald S. Clarke, Acting Executive Director of the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department. "Wild game is a local renewable resource that is high in protein, low in fat and 100 percent organic, not to mention delicious," Don said.

"We are really counting on hunters and backyard farmers to support the Food Bank, Michele Garron, commented. "This year has been particularly difficult for us because there has been a trend over the past two years of decreasing donations. We are really struggling. Corporate donations to the Food Bank have been down in recent years because increased efficiencies leave less product left over to pass along. Donations of protein foods have been especially hard to come by."

A hunter herself, Michele Garron hopes to be successful in the field this season so that she can contribute some venison to the program. Contributing some game to the Food Bank is certainly worth every hunters’ consideration. I have made contributions in the past and certainly will again should I get a deer this year. But, other forms of wildlife are also accepted, not just deer, moose or bear. With that said, good luck to our readers for a very successful hunting season.