In some of the best and most obvious news ever, it turns out hunting deer is still the best way to control their populations. Who knew?
Though not exactly earth shattering news, it is great to know, especially since deer hunting season is going to be kicking off soon in many parts of the country.
Via Newark Advocate:
It’s coming soon: Ohio’s traditional deer-gun season will begin Nov. 28, and by all indications, it should be a good one.
Hunting remains the most effective management tool to maintain Ohio’s healthy deer population, and when the season opens, literally hundreds of thousands of men, women and youngsters will be out there looking to fill their freezers with prime venison. Hunters and others will have questions about hunting, so this year, as always, the Division of Wildlife will maintain a toll-free call center at 800-WILDLIFE to answer last-minute questions between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. for the Nov. 18 and 19 youth-deer gun season, then from noon to 5 p.m Nov. 26 and 27 and 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. thereafter.
Remember that Ohioans are encouraged to report hunting violations by calling 800-POACHER at any time, and tipsters may be eligible to receive cash rewards.
Black bears on comeback trail
Black bears have been visiting Ohio for a number of years now, mostly young males coming from Pennsylvania or West Virginia and looking for new territories to establish homes.
But are they actually living and reproducing within our borders these days? The answer is yes. While there have been unsubstantiated reports of females (sows) with cubs reported previously, a sow with two cubs was seen recently in northeastern Ohio, and the event caught with high-quality photos.
There were bears here in the 1800s and before, and they’re apparently coming back, with anywhere from 50 to 100 of the big animals living here now, mostly in northeastern and southern Ohio.
Deer hunters must have permits
As more deer hunters take to the field, the Ohio Department of Natural Resources would like to remind each hunter to purchase the correct hunting license and deer permits before picking up gun or bow.
When deer hunting in Ohio, a deer permit is required in addition to a valid Ohio hunting license. Antlerless deer permits expire Nov. 27 and will not be valid for deer-gun week except in authorized controlled hunts. The antlerless permits are valid in only 10 counties, and Scott Peters, District Three wildlife management supervisor, said: “If there is any confusion at all, please reach out to us so we can clarify the regulations.” Call him at 330-644-2293.
Mind pests in the winter
Winter is just around the corner, and a good many wild creatures, especially raccoons, will be seeking warm, comfortable places to spend the colder months. That can mean a reader’s household chimney, attic, cellar or other places where they’ll quickly become a nuisance.
Squirrels, bats and chimney swifts can come seeking a new home, too, and end up in your living room, so now is the time to screen off access to your chimney or wood stove flue and close up any openings in the attic and elsewhere where wildlife can enter.
Read more in the pamphlet “Uninvited House Guests” available at wildohio.gov.
Be sure to secure your boat
Some readers store their boats and motors on a trailer in their backyard or in other convenient locations, and these are big targets for theft.
A newly released study that looked into five years of BoatUS Marine Insurance claims showed 75 percent of all boats stolen matched this description. How can you protect your watercraft? Instead of using just one lock, try adding more on the trailer tongue, outboard engine, or used with chain around the trailer wheels. Don’t leave your key on a stored boat, either, because thieves will find it.
Make the trailer impossible to remove by removing the trailer tires if the boat is going into long-term storage, and check out new anti-theft technologies, devices that send alerts to your cellphone, provide tracking, etc. To learn more about preventing theft, visit BoatUS.com/Boat-Thefts.
