why only deer?

[usmcretmsgt]

Who can tell me the reason that the only legal game during the archery only season is deer???????

[SongDoghunter]

I guess that would depend on if you are referring to the period strictly before or after muzzleloading season begins. Once any other game season comes in in the fall, they would be legal for archery as well. From the opening of archery season in early September until mid October, there are no other game seasons open except for coyote, crows, etc. You can archery hunt most species on up until the end of February if you wanted to. You can also archery hunt turkeys in April and May.

[usmcretmsgt]

I guess I should have been more specific.....I was referring to the initial archery only season before muzzleloading......and before everyone with dogs hits the woods. I have been in a tree over several nice bears and a few bobcats and only deer was legal to take then. I read the regs well because IMHO, an error there would be a mighty dumb way to lose a gun or truck or a pocketful of money, not to mention risking the hunting privileges I cherish.
As far as the guy on another post who figures the hell with tags and that he should be able to kill 25 deer if he wishes......I pity you if you ever get caught. My neighbor is an honest , law abiding hunter that tagged his deer but missed the part that says that you cannot process it until it is called in.The game warden happened by the house where he was skinning the deer with his buds and saw the properly notched tag but no number from the call-in. I must say.......it was petty.....but he wrote my bud a ticket for that even though all else was legal.
Sorry I got off post.....heh heh.....apologies......I guess I just don't know when to stop.

[buckhunter]

let me get this straight,you want every season to come in with the opening day of the bow deer season?bear,bobcats,everything?you need to join me in the stir the pot forum and we can discuss the "tag" thoughts you have.thanks,buckhunter

[SongDoghunter]

I think a couple of you guys are missing the big picture here. These two discussions have crossed paths about limits, seasons, and tags. The reason the seasons are not open that early has to do strictly with game management. Game populations cannot contend with seasons that run from September thru February, which is half the year. These animals have to have some time to breed and raise their young outside of hunting pressure, regardless of the weapon. This is the biggest reason I have always been opposed to allowing deer dogs to be run after January or February at the latest. The fact that dogs are running pregnant does heavy with fawns in April-September is rediculous! Three months out of a year is ample to run deer with dogs just as three months has to suffice for a firearm hunter.

[buckhunter]

you know,i agree with you doghunter about running dogs in the first part of the year[jan-oct] about running pregnant does,but the last field trial i went to[which was years ago mind you]was in the last week of march!and i know guys that run dogs year round and they have no concerns about pregnant does or does with yearlings.i'm sure you know a few like that too,don't you?

[SongDoghunter]

plenty!

[manxxcatt]

Who can tell me the reason that the only legal game during the archery only season is deer???????

a few reasons, safety not the least. Archers aren't required to wear orange. I would really hate to be in my tree tux and have a gunhappy jerk take a snapshot at me, having not looked really well at what he's shooting at. and although most good hunters don't take potshots, there are folks out there carrying scatterguns full of whatever and will shoot at anything that twitches.

I personally don't care if other seasons are open during archery. You could open up every species, and I wouldn't mind...so long as you hunt them with a bow.

[manxxcatt]

you know,i agree with you doghunter about running dogs in the first part of the year[jan-oct] about running pregnant does,but the last field trial i went to[which was years ago mind you]was in the last week of march!and i know guys that run dogs year round and they have no concerns about pregnant does or does with yearlings.i'm sure you know a few like that too,don't you?

are you kidding? go up to the Croatan. They run them dogs just about year-round.

[bubba2001]

i agree with doghunter its got to do with when their young are being born

[usmcretmsgt]

amazing how even the printed word can be misunderstood. My original question referred to the archery only season. Was questioning WHY other game could not be legal as well for the archers other than only deer. It would add another dimension to the ARCHERY ONLY season and I am certain that the archers do NOT have that adverse an effect on populations.
I DO apologize for crossing posts........sometimed I get a bit carried away.

Semper Fi

[buckhunter]

i see what your saying,maybe they should have a week of bow only bear season.say the week before the gun season came in,i'd have no problems with that.

[dmax2500hd]

I had a 400lb Bear stop broadside at 18 yards in my shooting lane last year. It would have been nice too have run an arrow through him.

[manxxcatt]

Man... that would definitely been tempting.

[SongDoghunter]

FYI, All game animals may be taken during the Archery hunting season including Sunday, that are in season except migratory birds. Bear are included! The key is that the season for that animal must be in and no bait used on bear.

[manxxcatt]

I wasn't aware that the Sunday archery went through. Good info.

[dmax2500hd]

Doghunter:
I saw the Bear in Oct, if I understand you correctly I could have taken it with a bow in Oct?

[SongDoghunter]

Not in October. Bear season comes in around the 12th of November. Some counties have varying seasons on bear. In Onslow and Duplin, it comes in around the Nov 12 timeframe and stays in until Jan 1. Anytime during this period would be legal with a bow including Sundays.

Yes, the Sunday archery was approved as was the extra week of muzzleloading and the use of crossbows by any hunter.