How’s The Deer Season Going?

Last week, my brother-in-law, Henry, and I were out for a day of hunting in Wildlife Management Unit K, when we came across some private property that had a field on both sides of the main road. "Look!", Henry said, pointing to the field on our right. Not ten yards from the road and walking toward it was a nice doe. She stopped, looked at us, with huge glassy eyes, as if to say "Hi guys. Sorry, but I’m not available." But, something seemed weird. She sort of stumbled across the road to the other side, went into the brush a little way and laid down. Well, I guess she knew she was safe, one because the "any deer" season ended on November 14 and second, both fields where posted against hunting. However, it was a delight just seeing her. But, we both screwed up. "Damn," Henry said. "We could have shot her several times had we brought our cameras today." Oh well, just seeing her made our day a better one. 

Whitetail deer (doe) in Waterville Valley, N.H.

As we drove down the road, only to see more large tracts of private lands posted, I finally turned the vehicle around and headed back. As we approached the section where we saw the doe again, she got up and wobbled out to the middle of the road. She smiled at us and continued across to the other field and finally disappeared into the woods. Having served in the Navy, it reminded me of a drunken sailor. Was something wrong with her? We were so curious. Then, I remembered reading that deer and many other animals, including even birds, are sometimes seen at this time of year acting as if they’d been partying. Could the doe have been drunk? It certainly would explain the wobbly gate and glassy eyes. It seems that eating leftover orchard apples, berries and the like that have fermented in the wild are enticing and intoxicating to them. 

According to Fish and Game Department’s Deer Project Leader, Kent Gustafson, New Hampshire’s regular firearms deer season is going well in the final week of the season, which ends December 7. Hunters look forward to time afield during the Thanksgiving holiday and into December. Gustafson said, "The estimated statewide deer harvest numbers, so far, are below last year’s levels, but similar to those seen in 2006. The regular firearms deer season runs through December 7 this year, in most of the state, with the exception of Wildlife Management Unit A in northern New Hampshire, where it closed November 30th."

According to Kent, through November 16, 2008, hunters statewide had taken an estimated 7,886 deer. In 2007, hunters had killed 9,290 deer by that date. Other than the 2007 near-record season however, hunters haven’t taken a higher total number of deer at this point in the season since the year 2000. Notable decreases in deer kill have been recorded in eastern and northern areas where last winter’s impacts were most severe.
"Thanksgiving week should continue to provide good firearms and archery hunting opportunities, with at least some snow in much of northern New Hampshire. For many families, this is a traditional time to get out and enjoy the pursuit of whitetailed deer, a time when hunting stories and Thanksgiving dinner are both shared with family and friends," Gustafson stated.

Deer hunters should note that Wildlife Management Unit - and season specific either-sex day regulations, in the 2008-2009 New Hampshire Hunting Digest, available from Fish and Game license agents around the state or online at: www.HuntNH.com/Hunting/hunting.htm. In WMU A only, an antler point restriction is again in place in addition to changes in the deer season length.

Well, Henry and I are scheduled to hit the field again next week. Hopefully a little cover of snow would be helpful for tracking. And, of course, this time we won’t forget our cameras. "Hey Henry, have you seen my rifle anywhere?" I hope all of our readers have had a wonderful Thanksgiving and if you’re going out for deer, good luck.

Bob Harris can be reached via e-mail at: outwriter2@aol.com

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DISCLAIMER:  The opinions expressed by Mr. Harris are not necessarily those of the Goffstown Residents Association or its members

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