I attached a picture of a really old tree stand just off the trail I walk on to get out to where I hunt. I have a few of these on the property that I hunt, there's just something about these old stands that catches my eye.
Seeing them always makes me imagine what it was like back in the day for the hunter that used that stand. It's not like they're just a few years old, they're 20, 30 years old, or older. I can't put my thumb on exactly why I like those old stands, I just do. But I also know how dangerous they must have been ... and still are!

Chris Kleist, D&DH Web Pro Staff, Wisconsin

I just realized archery season opens tomorrow in North Dakota, and I see Manitoba started Monday!

I wonder how many velvet-racked monsters have already hit the ground?

We still have a little more than two weeks to go here in Wisconsin.
How long do you have to wait?



D&DH Managing Editor
Jacob Edson

One question I receive a lot here at the office pertains to deer densities. Although most hunters understand that deer population estimates are important for managing herds, some do not realize that states often have two periods for estimating their herd sizes. Deer population studies are often conducted for a fall or prehunt estimate and an overwinter or posthunt estimate. Posthunt population estimates are annually compared to the deer population goal for each deer management unit as a basis for annual adjustments of antlerless harvest quotas. Population goals and density estimates are usually expressed as deer per square mile of deer range. These densities vary widely depending on region. However, a general rule of thumb is that a posthunt population exceeding 40 deer per square mile of deer habitat is considered to be at or above goals.

Dan Schmidt, D&DH Editor

Today’s feel-good deer story comes from Ohio where the DNR and the Farmers and Hunters Feeding the Hungry group have teamed up to encourage hunters to shoot more does this fall.

The state has provided a $100,000 subsidy grant to FHFH to help pay the processing fee on donated venison.  The grant money is being provided in two $50,000 allotments that are to be matched with funds generated or collected by FHFH.
 
"By providing hunters with an affordable outlet for donating extra venison, the division hopes to ultimately encourage hunters to kill more does,” stated James Marshall, assistant chief of the Division of Wildlife.
 
Finding ways to kill more does will help wildlife managers keep Ohio's deer population management plan on track. Deer hunters can again buy additional antlerless deer permits at reduced prices for the 2008-09 deer-hunting season. Cost of the antlerless deer permit remains at $15.  
 
Now over a decade old, FHFH has grown to include 120 local coordinators in 26 different states. Annual meat donation totals have topped 300,000 pounds-enough to provide meat for over 1.2 million meals-and are expected to increase even further in the coming years.