We;re eeing more “issues” in the news – not asking you to agree or disagree, just want you to be aware.
Jay reported on fishing- and hunting-related conservation issues for decades, part of that time in DC itself, so he knows the background, the players and has some opinions! He says he’s never seen anything like this, where “they” are coming after hunters and fishermen on so many fronts – with new fronts opening up every couple weeks, seems like. 😠 We gotta keep track of it and not let them win! 🇺🇸
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Here you go, the BEST of the deer webz every week – thx for reading! If you’re getting the DeerBlaster for the first time it’s probably because a deer-crazed bud signed you up!
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Real good tips on how to hunt corn.
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> The pressure of gun season can drive deer into corn and make them more difficult to get eyes on, but it can be a different situation for archers when hunting pressure is limited and deer are moving more naturally. I have seen it time and time again.
> I use corn all the time as a blocker for access getting in and out of spots undetected.
Deer will bed in standing corn during archery season, but they also use it as an edge to travel where they can disappear at the first sign of danger.
> With how narrow corn rows are today, I often feel bigger bucks might prefer traveling on the edge of corn instead of dealing with being inside the corn and having their antlers catching on the stalks when they are on their feet.
> It can be daunting looking at a sea of corn and wondering where to set up. Narrow your focus. Low areas on the terrain where timber or other habitat cover meets the field can be good. Corners are often spots to look at. Think of where you know multiple trails lead from the adjacent cover into the field.
> Deer will grab a bite of corn to eat right when they step into the fields and you can often see small areas of the corn that are beat down at these entrance points.
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> Look for other habitat features within the standing corn. Think a small woodlot, slough, narrow ditch, creek or a patch of overgrown weeds and grass. The more habitat diversity you have within that area, the better.
> One example from an area I hunt is a small slough within an ag field that has a mixture of cattails, reed canary grass, willows and a few mature trees. I have scouted this and found rubs and big beds on the northern tip of those willows. The corn lets me get in undetected, and provides the deer with that extra sense of security.
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OK approved air-powered “arrow guns” for rifle season.
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Are these things that popular? Is this a trend? Can see how them being quiet might be liked by some. Some details from here:
> …state wildlife commissioners on Monday approved emergency rules for use of air powered arrow rifles during big game rifle seasons.
> The air guns are also commonly called air bows, but they will be illegal to use in OK during archery and muzzleloader seasons. The OK Wildlife Conservation Commission classifies the weapon as a gun for hunting purposes.
> State lawmakers legalized the air guns for hunting during its last legislative session. Wildlife commissioners had to pass emergency rules so the guns could be used during the upcoming hunting seasons.
> Because the air guns are not included in the Pittman-Robertson Act, which places excise taxes on hunting equipment to be used for conservation, a one-time $20 permit will be required of OK hunters who use air powered arrow rifles.
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So all we have to do is burn or bury what’s left of a deer to silence the anti lead bullet crowd? 🤔
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> If non-lead ammunition isn’t an option, he suggests hunters dispose of carcasses before leaving an area through either burning or burying. “Any of those methods will minimize and deter the animals from scavenging what they see.”
Not sure about burying in cold climates, but burning might work? But…doubt the anti lead bullet crowd will back off…because for them it’s not really about lead and eagles….
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OH taxidermist pushed back on warrantless search and the DNR had to change its policy. 💪
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The best thing about this story is that the OH DNR did it the easy way – basically admitting they had bad policy, and then changing it. Props to them and especially to Jeremy Bennett – who owns New Creations Taxidermy and Deer Processing in Logan – for standing up for what’s right. 👊🇺🇸 Info from here:
> At stake was Bennett’s right to be free from unwarranted government searches under the Fourth Amendment of the Bill of Rights. So asserted The Institute for Justice, an organization headquartered in Arlington, VA which advocates for limited government.
>”During the peak of the hunt in Dec 2020, Bennett shut down the taxidermy portion of his shop to process deer. A wildlife officer spent about an hour inspecting Bennett’s processing operation, then requested permission to enter the taxidermy area. Bennett asked the officer to return in a few weeks when he resumed working in the taxidermy area. The officer departed without objection.
> “But a few months later, (Bennett) was criminally prosecuted and threatened with jail time for ‘refusing’ a warrantless inspection of his taxidermy shop.”
> A no-contest plea led to a $150 fine and the eventual partnership with the Institute, which threatened a lawsuit. The division responded in Jan by altering its policy effective May 1. The change requires that taxidermists and processors continue to keep records to help ensure the animals they work on are legally obtained, then goes on to say:
> “Wildlife officers may conduct inspections for proper records only with the consent of the (taxidermist, cold storage facility, locker plant or meat processor) involved. If consent is not received, an officer shall obtain a search warrant as specified in (the Ohio Revised Code).”
> Bennett was offered an apology by state officials and given $5,000 in compensation to defray legal expenses.
More here on the New Creations FB page. Sooner or later gov’t folks who don’s know are going to learn that they work for the people, not “the government”! 🇺🇸
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27 environmental groups are asking the feds to strip funding from MT and ID DNRs. 🤯
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Unbelievable! The funding is Pittman-Robertson Act funding which is ADMINISTERED by the feds but is state money that we pay…and bet none of those environmental groups contribute a dang cent to conservation and habitat – info from here:
> Environmental groups are requesting that the Biden Administration strip federal conservation funding from MT and ID over the states’ laws and regulations for wolves.
> 27 groups filed the petition with the US Fish and Wildlife Service requesting that the agency disqualify MT and ID from receiving funding from the Pittman-Robertson Act. The act taps funding from an excise tax on firearms and ammunition, which is then distributed to states for wildlife and other conservation programs. Montana received $21.3 mil and Idaho $28.5 mil in fiscal year 2022.
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> Cordray, who graduated from Clemson with a degree in animal science, said he can’t explain the early shedding of velvet that he’s witnessed, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t plenty of bucks that will still have their velvet on or a few days beyond opening day.
2. OH is offering special deer hunts…
Will be sold at a rate of 1 per person per day until sold out.
Says it has deer:
> Located 15 miles south of the Hardware WMA, the 8,107-acre WMA sits on the border of Cache and Weber counties.
> “Overall it looks pretty similar to what we saw last year.” Statewide the DNR has increased the bag limits for 28 deer permit areas, with 90 areas the same limit as last year and reduced bag limits in 12 areas, mostly in northern MN.
> “In some areas of northern MN, severe winter conditions have impacted low deer numbers, so hunter opportunity in these areas is designed to help stabilize or increase those populations.”
> Officials hope if approved by state lawmakers, a deer management pilot program with NY DEC oversight would allow hunters in the town more leniency to control the population.
> The proposed legislation would also make it legal for deer to be shot from vehicles, and for 12 and 13-year-olds to hunt with the supervision of a licensed adult.
> But animal activists fired back, suggesting birth control as a more humane way to reduce the deer population.
Here’s the reason for the panic:
> “[Deer are] really a growing problem with the tick-borne illnesses and destruction of crops and woodlands,” said assemblywoman Jodi Giglio.
Sounds like they have lots of ticks and are blaming it on deer. Not many crops or woodlands on Long Island…?
> For the next few weeks, the Bureau of Land Management is asking for public comment regarding its decision to evaluate its oil and gas program and other management decisions across [CO] to promote the conservation of big game habitat.
> Specifically, this will focus on elk, mule deer and pronghorn. Current plans do not include bighorn sheep. Phillips said that about 53% of the land managed by the bureau contains priority habitat for elk, 48% of it encompasses priority habitat for mule deer and about 9% of it consists of high-priority habitat for pronghorn.
> …more than half of recreational shooters firing a centerfire rifle used an MSR [Modern Sporting Rifle = AR]. Of those who hunted with an MSR, 40% chose the MSR as their firearm of choice.
> …their new CZ 600 rifles that have the capacity for the user to swap barrels. …CZ-USA’s recall notice advises that if a barrel were improperly installed, the rifle would still be able to fire, which could lead to a catastrophic failure of the rifle.
In one test:
> …this load had the smallest 10 five-shot groups with an average of .501″ (½ MOA).
12. 2A stuff.
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14. Keep an eye on…
- Is that good compared to the rest of the bill? Is [whatever] okay if our “special interest” gets some money?
- Why is it good if the government gets to spend more money, some of which is on itself?
- Who is going to pay for all of that??
> A 26-year-old man has been arrested for starting a wildfire in Utah and according to WMTW, he told authorities that he had been attempting to kill a spider with a lighter when he started the fire. he Utah County Sheriff’s Office says.
Post says it burned about 60 acres – get that guy a boot! 🤣
Headline of the Day
Rats with hooves?? So rats are “deer with feet”?? 😆
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Deer Disease News
> TPWC will consider proposed CWD surveillance and containment zones during its upcoming meeting, Aug 24-25.
> The proposal for commissioners includes creating a containment zone and extending the existing surveillance zone in Kimble County, extending an existing containment zone in Bandera, Medina and Uvalde counties, and creating a surveillance zone in portions of Duval County, Jim Wells, Live Oak and McMullen counties.
> The requirements for hunters are the same for both zones and consist of mandatory sampling of harvested deer and a restriction on moving whole carcasses out of the zones. This means animals must be quartered before leaving the zone and brought to a TPWD check station within 48 hours of harvest.
> A deer in Dyer County has tested positive [for CWD] which has now spread into 14 West Tennessee counties.
> Dyer has been added to the TN Wildlife Resources Agency’s CWD Unit, and 2 adjacent counties – Lake and Obion – have been designated High Risk counties. Special regulations will be in effect in those counties in the upcoming deer season.
> The ND [DNR] will host public meetings this month in Fargo, Dickinson and Minot to discuss chronic wasting disease in the state. The 3 meetings are set for Monday, Aug 22 at the Fargo Holiday Inn, 3803 13th Ave. S.; Wednesday, Aug 24 at the Grand Dakota Lodge, 532 15th St. W., Dickinson; and Monday, Aug 29 at the Grand Hotel, 1505 N. Broadway, Minot. All 3 of the meetings will begin at 7 pm local time.
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Good GunsAmerica.com post:
> If someone had told me just a few years ago that Howa would make an affordable hunting rifle weighing just 4 lbs 7 oz, I might not have believed them. The standard Howa 1500 bolt action rifle has always been a strong and accurate design, but it was never lightweight.
> With its Super Lite model, Howa has set a new standard for affordable factory rifles weighing less than 5 lbs…. The Super Lite, with an MSRP of $1,399, is much more affordable [than custom lightweight rifles].
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> The perfect premium entry-level rangefinding binoculars with a value-driven price point and all new look and feel, the Geovid R series has been updated with a new ergonomic design which puts the controls perfectly at the fingertips of the user.
> …4 models of rangefinding binoculars in the remastered Geovid R series, 8×42, 10×42, 8×56 and 15×56, to deliver accuracy over close, mid and long-range distances and in low light.
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> Uniquely different than using camouflage designed for hiding human bodies, Blynd uses an extra-large pattern and unique “Blynd Spots” throughout. These spots help ensure that even the most subtle of changes in an animal’s visibility are acclimated in the pattern with dark voids for when windows are open. The extra-large pattern makes sure that visible, repeating patterns are kept to a minimum.
Always been a fan of black patches in camo = more breakup and more “3D”:
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> Fence openings: …fence opening or gap. This is a manmade structure that deer will naturally use in their daily routine when it coincides with their bed to feed movement. “It’s become a natural crossing location for deer, and it’s the perfect spot to hang a camera.”
> Water sources: Deer will always have their preferred location for crossing a creek. Find these spots, and you’ll have the perfect place to hang a camera. The locations allow you to stay out of bedding areas, yet still get the inventory you need….
> Bean fields: The end of July, as well as the month of August, will find your local deer feeding in bean fields. Find the trail that seems to get most of the traffic in and out of the field, and set up your trail cam just off that trail. …until the beans begin to turn from green to yellow/brown. At that point it’s time to move your cameras elsewhere.
> …reminds hunters to avoid facing cameras directly east or west to prevent blown out shots from the sun.
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“Something that could go a long way in addressing [inflation] and tackling food insecurity is what some might see as on antiquated way of acquiring nourishment: hunting.”
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On DeerBlaster.com right now:
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The DeerBlaster is a weekly roundup of the best, funniest, newest and most important stuff about deer hunting – culled from around the interwebz FOR DIEHARD DEER HUNTERS and blasted into your inbox.
The DB is put together by a couple deer nerds 😁 from around the country. We excerpt content (and credit EVERYONE!), comment on content, do some original content…because we can’t get enough deer hunting – bet you’re wired the same!
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