In The News: Urban Deer Hunting

As the urbanization continues across North Carolina more natural habitat gets taken up with homes and expensive landscaping the whitetail deer just learns to adapt. I work inside the city of Raleigh and I see a lot of deer within the city as I travel about and other wild animals are adapting to city life including the coyote and the fox.
The deer presents a difficult problem because encounters with humans especially in the form of accidents can cause significant property damage as well as injuries and death. This happens mostly in motor vehicles but recently a man in New York State died after a collision with a deer while the man was bike riding.

ULSTER PARK — A 68-year-old man died after apparently striking a deer while riding his bicycle Thursday morning, according to the Ulster County Sheriff’s Office.

Deputies said Warren “Bud” Clarke of Ulster Park was riding on Pokonoie Road about 7:20 a.m. when the accident occurred. It appears Clarke struck a deer and was thrown from the bike, deputies said.

The accident was reported to Ulster County 911 at 7:22 a.m.

Daily Freeman

Another significant problem the deer cause is damage to landscaping as they search for food in their urban environment. They have adjusted well learning to eat non native plants that have replaced their usual crops.

That’s the case at the Cary home of Mary Marsha Cupitt, whose house backs up to the Hemlock Bluffs Nature Preserve. She said deer snacked on her two tomato plants to the point that only a single tomato was left. And she’d rather not get into the state of her hostas.
“They love hostas, and that’s the one plant I have that’s eaten down to nothing but skin,” Cupitt said.

N&O

The NCWRC developed rules to allow cities to offer an urban deer archery season in January to help control the urban deer herd. There has been some reluctance on cities part to institute this but a few have across the state have and there has been no incidents or accidents reported. Bow hunting is very safe and a cheap alternative for cities during this time of dwindling budgets.

City officials have raised legitimate concerns about urban deer hunting, said Greg Batts, a biologist with the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission. Those include the cost of managing the program and, more importantly, safety questions. City governments have been reluctant to embrace a program that its residents could perceive as dangerous or reckless, Batts told a group of people with deer problems in Holly Springs last week.
But Batts said other methods of population control, such as poisoning, transferring deer to other areas and deer birth control are not as cost-effective or successful as hunting can be.

The NCBA was a driving force behind getting the Urban Season established and here is what Ramon Bell the president of the NCBA had to say.

Bell says urban deer hunting doesn’t present any safety hazard. City officials specify what areas can and cannot be hunted safely. Populated, busy areas are off limits. And for suburban homeowners concerned about hunting in their backyards, hunters would need written consent from individual property owners to hunt on their land and must pass a certification program offered by the Bowhunters Association to be eligible.

Cities and towns will have to address the issue of controlling wildlife within their limits and the costs associated with that. Urban Bow Season is a safe solution and can help keep things in balance.

Moose Vs. The Wiley Coyote

About a week ago I promised to tell a story about coyotes. My father in law was having something stealing figs off his trees and I suspected deer. He set up a game camera and to our surprise it was coyotes. We knew they were around because they have been seen a time or two but now we knew they were eating the figs. I hunt his land often, mostly killing deer as of yet the turkeys haven’t moved in and with coyotes around it could delay them taking up residency. I don’t like to compete with other hunters so these yotes got to go.
A week ago this past Saturday I was out at the property before day break and set up quickly to see if I could get a coyote to show himself. I set up a blind, had a fawn decoy, fawn in distress call and my trusty shotgun with buckshot. 10 minutes into the hunt I realized I forgot the most important thing….THE THERMACELL. The skeeters tore me up.

After about an hour I realized that only hawks and crows were going to come to the calls. The sun was getting up and it was getting warm plus I was down at least a quart of blood so I called it a hunt. I was disappointed that I hadn’t even seen the coyote but I guess he wasn’t interested in a deer dinner. Later that day I was talking to my brother telling him about the coyote and how I struck out trying to call him. I lamented the fact that no matter how hard I looked in the Cabela’s catalog I couldn’t find a Fig Call.
Well my ever helpful brother told me I should sing the Fig Newton song and about an hour latter this video hit my box. I’ll get that coyote but don’t look for me to do a song and dance routine to get him.

My Thoughts On The NC Bow Hunters Association and Why I’m No Longer a Member Part Two

This is the second part of my response to the guest blog post from Ramon Bell of the North Carolina Bow Hunter Association. As I said in my earlier post I’m grateful for Mr. Bell’s post and while we may disagree on a few points there is many points we do agree on. Today I want to address the crossbow issue and the reason in good conscience I could not renew my membership.

The other proposal NCBA opposes is the legalization of crossbows across the board for anyone who wants to use them. We specially oppose them being legalized during ‘Bow Only’ seasons for anyone other than those who qualify for the handicapped hunting permit to use them. This is why this state law was enacted some 12-15 years ago.. to give the handicapped and physically challenged hunters a “special” privilege and the opportunity and advantage to hunt during bow seasons. Adoption of this proposal will eliminate the need for the special handicapped license/permits, and it will also eliminate the only advantage and privilege

NCBA Crossbow Facts & Fiction

Most of the folks I’ve met over the years that have a handicap did not necessarily want an “advantage” over those who don’t have a handicap just an opportunity to participate. Nor do I believe that the crossbow is an advantage over the modern compound bow.
Opposition to the crossbow by the NCBA is certainly their right as an organization even though I don’t understand the demonization of this weapon.

The N.C.B.A. will not permit its members to use this type of weapon (Crossbows or “Draw-Lock” devices), to hunt legal game, unless the member is legitimately physically disabled.
Members may not endorse such a weapon under any circumstances. If a member is caught using or endorsing such a weapon in violation of this article, he/she will be subject to immediate dismissal from N.C.B.A. membership.

NCBA

Opposing its use during the archery season is one thing but to oppose its use ever even during firearm season seems to be a bit extreme. In states that have legalized the use of a crossbow there has not been a significant loss of bow hunters. I think one could make the argument that more folks leave the bow hunting ranks and use firearms rather then switch to crossbows. However NCBA will drum a member out who uses a crossbow but has no such rule for firearms.
I don’t see anything wrong with a crossbow and if it brings more folks into the hunting ranks I think it is a good thing. So instead of getting kicked out I decided that I just would not renew my membership.
The NCBA is a great organization and does a lot of good things but their don’t ask don’t tell stand on crossbows is just one I can’t live with.

My Thoughts On The NC Bow Hunters Association and Why I’m No Longer a Member Part One

I was pleased to have Ramon Bell from the NCBA as a guest poster on here earlier this week. I appreciate his willingness to address the issues and clarify the Association’s position. The NCBA is certainly a prominent sportsman organization here in the state and have supported and advocated for our sport over the years. While I agree with them on many issues there is a few I fundamentally don’t agree.

Opposition to 2nd Week of Muzzleloader Season

The one that is most important to NCBA is the opening of gun (muzzle loader) season one week earlier statewide. Not so much that it encroaches on the ‘bow only’ seasons statewide by another week, it does. But because we feel this is not in the best interests of the quality of the buck deer population and the quality of deer hunting in general for all of North Carolina.

I don’t know about anyone else but I was surprised at this statement because the message I heard at the public hearing I went to was that adding this week on would only make the bucks go nocturnal earlier reducing the opportunity for bow hunters. I’m certain that there message of Quality Deer Management and improving the Buck population was missed by a lot of the hunters in attendance at the public meetings and not just me. I’m not convinced that the way to go about improving the maturity of bucks in NC is by season lengths but rather by bag limits and other regulatory measures. I’m not advocating for that and that is really another whole topic (QDM, Antler Restrictions, and Earn a Buck programs) that we’ll certainly get into in the future.
In the past archery equipment was not allowed during the muzzleloader season but that has been corrected and basically you can bow hunt from opening day in September all the way till the closing day on January 1st. The majority of hunting takes place on private land so individuals and clubs can easily control hunting methods, antler restrictions, doe harvesting etc. Everything one could want except controlling how your neighbors hunt.

We (NCBA) also believe there are other ‘Safety’ and ‘Social’ factors for why any gun season for deer should not be opened earlier. From a ‘Safety’ standpoint, we feel it will be dangerous, not only for hunters and bowhunters in particular! It will be dangerous to others who will be using the woods at this time of year.. late October.. when leaves are still on trees and in full fall colors to boot. This foliage will not only restrict vision and line of sight for hunters and make for dangerous shooting situations, our ‘blaze orange’ hats and vests will blend in with the fall colors complicating already dangerous situations. From a ‘Social’ standpoint, there could be many more unwanted and unnecessary confrontations and conflicts between hunters and others who will be in the outdoors during this time engaging in a variety of other outdoor activities such as hiking, camping, biking, horseback riding, animal/bird watching.. and just sightseeing in general to take in the fall colors.

Safety while handling any weapon is important safe gun handling is especially important. I fully support and advocate people follow the rules when it comes to guns. Identifying your target is paramount whether it is an arrow, bolt, or bullet you are releasing. Hunting is a safe sport especially compared to other recreational activities like softball, soccer, and football. The vast majority of serious and fatal accidents in hunting are from falls. There are a number of firearm hunting opportunities that take place prior to killing frosts while foliage is still present. There does not seem to be an increase in accidental shootings because of it. I believe that this argument supports an unfounded stereotype against hunters in general and I would have hoped that the NCBA would not engage in promoting such a stereotype.
How this proposal came to be is not that important because it obviously had wide support at the public meetings. There are many gun hunters that support QDM practices but the majority of them did not appear to support this argument at least in the public meeting forums I attended. I honestly believe that if people feel strongly about improving the age of bucks in this state that there are better ways to go about it then season structure. I’d be curious to know the age structure of bucks taken by bow as to those taken by gun. Anecdotally in conversations I have with hunters that hunt all methods it seems that when they have a bow in the hand they are more apt to take a smaller buck then if they were gun hunting they’d pass it up. I got two buck tags for where I hunt whether I take them in October, November, or December I don’t think will matter.
Part 2 will look at the Crossbow Issue and I elaborate a bit on why I did not renew my membership.

How Much Will I Miss Senator Kennedy?

No Sir Probably not that much. LOL
Some gallows humor on my part. Got to admit he was a strong liberal that support causes that I certainly opposed and feel would destroy our great country. Misguided till the end…. now part of the history of this great country. RIP Teddy

Today’s Big Game Committee Meeting

Well I took the morning off to attend the Big Game Committee Meeting where a lot of the hunting regulations we debate get their legs so to speak. Long before they end up in the proposal booklet at the public meetings chances are pretty good some if not all the Commissioners have kicked them around a bit.

I’ll try to give you the readers digest version of the meeting and add a bit more flesh in future posts. If anyone has a specific question post it up and I’ll try my best to review my notes and recall my memory to give you the best answer about what was said.
They started the meeting off with reminding everyone that a number of hunting proposals were delayed from implementation for at least a year. At the meeting they reiterated that the 10 letter rule delayed all the deer rules and that there was no way the NCWRC could of sidestepped this with the use of temporary rules. I also asked about separating the rules so opposition to one or two does not sink the entire slate which they also said was not an option. From where I sit it would appear to me that we better just plan a two year cycle for getting new rules. Getting 10 letters of opposition is such a low threshold I can see some folks having fun with that process.

The first agenda item was a presentation on a proposal to establish a captive cervid herd certification program. (Deer Farming)

This would be for the current farms and will not allow any additional farms. Chronic Wasting Disease is the reason that tight control by state and federal agencies was implemented a few years ago. Presently there is no known cases of CWD in captive or wild deer in North Carolina. The closest cases of CWD is in West Virginia in both captive and wild deer. Under current laws captive deer in North Carolina are highly regulated with each farm receiving two inspections a year to verify compliance.

They are looking at establishing strict guidelines under which deer could be transferred / transported between two licensed farms. Operations would have to be clean record for 5 years before they could reach this status. This is in the early process and will go to public meetings if the NCWRC as a whole decides to go forward with it. Under this plan there is no plan to issue any new licenses this only for existing operations.

Bear

Proposal to look at a harvested bear needing to weigh 100 lbs or more was shot down.

Proposal to alter bear season in the NE part of the state so it didn’t fall the week of Christmas. Shot down

Both of those proposals were asked for by a number of bear hunters at the last meeting

Baiting of bear was again discussed. Under current law still hunters can not bait bear however hound hunters can strike dogs off a bait pile. This has led to some places where hound hunters are baiting and either drawing bears off others lands or limiting hunting opportunities on others land.

Baiting 3 proposals sent out of committee to the Commissioners Meeting.

(side note all of these are a ways off because they’ll require legislative action for any of them. They are being floated to see if the NCWRC wants to hear from folks on any of these potential proposals)

1. Outlaw all bear baiting outright.
2. Keep the law as it currently is and add a 3 day pre dog hunt still hunt over baits. This would be a limited draw hunt and NCWRC would set the number of permits it would issue for this hunt. (Private land only)
3. Establish a 3 day still hunt prior to the opening of dog season but no bait Rest of the current laws would stay in place

1&2 passed with only one vote each in opposition
3 passed unanimously from the committee.

Deer

Talking about QDM and possible inviting Mr. Hamilton to address the committee in the future. Early stages of this idea so it may nor may not happen. Several of the commissioners voiced concerns over internal politics within the QDM movement.

Beginning to look at the possibility that some deer rules maybe by county if the majority of hunters want a particular rule. IE. Some folks are wanting a one buck limit the big game committee is going to explore that topic of special rules for a county.
Well that is a brief overview of the meeting and some of these I’ll elaborate a bit more in future posts.

Fair Chase and Senator Feinstein

So are we to believe that the Senator is going to take up hunting with her concern over fair chase when it comes to Alaska wolves? Somehow I doubt it but I did get a kick out of a recent editorial on the subject in Juneau Empire

Feinstein did so, at least in part, because she believes the state’s effort violates “the hunting principle of fair chase.”
No, it does not, because, as she said, Alaska’s wolf control program is not sport.
“Fair chase” is a loose, ever-shifting set of guidelines employed by individual hunters who, for a variety of personal reasons, often make their hunts more difficult for themselves and thus potentially less lethal to their prey. More power to them, but such standards are illogical when attempting to manage wildlife populations.
What homeowner would set a mouse trap but leave it unbaited just to give the mice a chance? What farmer would put cats in the barn but remove their claws so the rats have a fair shake?
When attempting to control an animal population, neither individuals nor the government can apply standards of fair chase, because those standards are designed solely to make success more difficult. In a control effort, the intent is to kill the animal. The most efficient, quickest method should be used. The state of Alaska follows that mandate when it kills wolves using gunners in aircraft.

The editorial is right on the money the killing of the wolves by the state of Alaska is not for sport but an effort to control specie that is getting out of balance. This is a smoke and mirrors attempt by the Senator to inject an idea to cloud the issue that just doesn’t belong in the discussion to begin with. If the Senator wants to look at some guiding principles how about this one;

The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.

The Federal government has become too powerful and we need it to go back to the principles established by our founding fathers and restore the rights of the states and the people.

Guest Post: Statement from NCBA on 2009 WRC Regulations

Statement from NCBA on 2009 WRC Regulations

The N.C. Bowhunters Association has been criticized because some of our members, along with other hunters, non-NCBA members, sportsmen and women, wrote letters to the ‘Rules Review Commission’ (RRC) objecting to some of the proposed wildlife regulations for 2009-10 that were approved by the N.C. Wildlife Commissioners. This resulted in many deer proposals being placed on “HOLD” temporarily for legislative review beginning next year.

It should be known that the WRC knew that letters would most likely be written to the RRC objecting to a number of the new proposals, as this procedure was a topic of discussion with us (NCBA) and some of them (WRC) over a year ago. In fact, we (NCBA) were informed of this (Rules Review) option by WRC officials to begin with.

We (NCBA) also were aware that if these TEN letters were received by the RRC that all the WRC had to do was request that the new regulations be enacted as a temporary rule. We fully anticipated that this is what they would do, but that didn’t happen.

So.. why didn’t the WRC asked for a temporary rule to enact these proposals this year? Possibly so that this inaction by the WRC may be intended to place the burden (or blame) primarily on NCBA for the delay in enacting these proposals.

NCBA has only taken issue with two of the proposals that were approved. The fact that other proposals were also included is beyond our control, as multiple proposals were included in one “omnibus” regulation that encompassed them all. The one that is most important to NCBA is the opening of gun (muzzle loader) season one week earlier statewide. Not so much that it encroaches on the ‘bow only’ seasons statewide by another week, it does. But because we feel this is not in the best interests of the quality of the buck deer population and the quality of deer hunting in general for all of North Carolina. This is echoed by reports and opinions from professional biologists from both within the WRC and also biologists in the private sector. In a report from the WRC’s ‘Deer Committee, a majority of their biological staff did not recommend opening gun seasons up any earlier, including the muzzleloader season. In fact, some have gone on record stating gun seasons should be opened later, especially in the Eastern Deer Season. Dr. David Cobb, the WRC’s chief biologist, told them that this is not an option, and since Dr. Cobb sets the official policy for the agency.. that’s the way it will be. Apparently, it doesn’t really matter what the opinions of his field staff of biologists believe to be best for the resource and for the stakeholders.

So, where did this proposal originate? The 2008-09 Proposed Regulation Change (#16) was originated by a man named Grady Barnes. It was submitted by a man named Daron Barnes. (NOTE: Daron Barnes works for the WRC at the main office in Raleigh. He is not a field biologist. We have been told, confidentially, that Mr. Barnes was asked, or recruited to sumbit this proposal by one of his superiors.) It states, in part, “Hunters who are interested in utilizing a hunting opportunity outside the regular gun season currently have two options: a muzzle-loading season that is limited to 7 days (really 6 days), or an archery season that ranges from 24 up to 54 days. This means that hunters who are capable and interested in bowhunting have, depending on their geographical location, from 17 to 47 additional hunting days (opportunities) than hunters who are not interested or incapable of bow hunting…. This bias towards bowhunting reduces the opportunity of hunters who are interested in pursuing muzzle-loading style hunting. It goes on to say, “In a time of concern of hunter recruitment and retention, this rule change will increase the hunting opportunities for hunters who are not able to take advantage of current bow hunting opportunities.”

Mr. Evin Stanford (Deer Biologist’s) comments were that he was “OPPOSED to this proposal. He stated, “The NCWRC recently completed a human dimensions study of NC deer hunters, and a question concerning this exact season change was included on the survey. Survey results indicated that deer hunters were equally divided on this season change at 40% in favor and 40% opposed, and the other 20% had no opinion regarding this issue. The Deer Committee also has discussed this type of regulation proposal, and the consensus of the committee is that such a regulation change is NOT desirable at this time. While muzzle-loader season is much shorter than archery season (6 days vs. 24-54 days, muzzleloader hunters reported harvesting 53% more deer than archery hunters during the ‘06 season. However, does made up 51% of the reported archery season harvest, while does only made up 33% of the reported muzzleloader season harvest. Muzzleloader season hunters actually harvested slightly fewer does than archery season hunters, but the muzzleloader season buck harvest was 112% higher than the archery season buck harvest. While increasing the length of the muzzleloader season may provide more opportunity, the selectivity of muzzleloader hunters may result in an unwanted increase in antlered buck harvest with little corresponding increase in doe harvest. Results of the human dimensions survey indicated that 80% of deer hunters indicated that a lack of mature deer is a barrier to deer hunting. If the rule proposal does go forward, the proposed rule text should be clarified to more clearly define the season dates.”

Let me take a moment to clarify the “numbers” that Mr. Stanford refers to. I have included a chart below that breaks down the number of days actually allocated to archery season and to firearms seasons, muzzleloader season included. NOTE that in the Eastern Deer Season area, where the deer population is most prolific, the current season includes 24 days for archery only season and 70 days for firearms season. In the Central Deer Season, it is about even with 48 archery only days and 46 firearms days. The Northwestern Season has 54 archery days versus 31 firearms days, and the Western Deer Season has 60 archery days compared to 24 firearms day. Keep in mind that the deer season currently ends about two weeks earlier in the Northwestern and Western Deer Seasons. Also keep in mind that deer population densities are much thinner in the Western and Northwestern areas.

Secondly, NOTE the days during the “Peak of the Rut” that “archery only” seasons occur versus “firearms seasons.” In order to be fair, equitable and not show any “bias” toward any method of hunting, this is, or should be, the most important factor in determining WHEN the transition from archery to muzzleloader to regular modern firearms should be occurring. NOTE that in the Eastern Deer Season area, archery hunters have “0″ days that occur during the “Pre-Rut or entire Rutting Season.” We consider the “Rut” to encompass dates between November 1st and December 13th, or about the end of the deer seasons in the Western and Northwestern areas. In the “Central Deer Season” area, archery hunters currently have “6″ (SIX) days during the “Pre-Rut” for “Bow Only” days. Firearms seasons cover the remainder of the “Rutting” season, which is 31 days. Northwestern bowhunters have 12 days that occur during the “Pre-Rut and Rut” versus 25 days for firearms hunters, and Western bowhunters have 19 days compared to 18 days for firearms hunters. These season dates were established and agreed upon by our staff of field biologists based scientific data and their knowledge of what is best for the resource. It does not appear that there is any basis of scientific data or fact that supports Mr. Barnes proposal. And, his comment that there is a “bias” toward bowhunting seems to be an exaggeration on his part to place blame on the bowhunting community for the current hunting season date structure.

DEER SEASON DAYS BY WEAPON

BOW GUN

NOTE: GUN INCLUDES 6 Day Muzzle Loader Season

EASTERN
24 70

CENTRAL
48 46

NORTHWESTERN
54 31

WESTERN
60 24

IF ONE WEEK Muzzle Loader SEASON IS ADDED……

EASTERN
18 76

CENTRAL
BOW GUN
42 52

NORTHWESTERN
48 37

WESTERN
54 30

*DAYS DURING PEAK OF THE “RUT”..PRIME DEER SEASON – (NOV. 1 – DEC. 13)

BOW GUN
EASTERN
0 37

CENTRAL
6 31

NORTHWESTERN
12 25

WESTERN
19 18

Statewide TOTALS:
BOW GUN
37 111

Additional Comments:

* The whitetail “RUT” normally begins on/about the first of November and continues until what is commonly called the
“Second rut”, which begins about the first week of December. This is the “prime” time to hunt whitetail deer in N.C.

NOTE that “bow only” seasons include only a total of 37 days statewide during this period, and that the EASTERN Deer Season has NONE., while a TOTAL of 111 (one-hundred eleven) days are currently assigned to firearms seasons statewide. Where is this “bias” toward bowhunting that Mr. Barnes refers to?

The CENTRAL Deer Season has only 6 “Prime” hunting days for “Bow Only” season while 31 days are open for gun hunting. The EASTERN Deer Season already has “0″ days of prime deer hunting for “Bow Only” season, and if the muzzle-loader season, is opened one week earlier, it will push bowhunters even further back away from the peak season.

The traditional transition between “Bow season, Muzzle Loader Season and the regular Gun seasons that all hunters have become accustomed to should continue to occur near when the “Rut” begins, as it has been for many years. Gun season hunters already have a disproportionate number of “prime” days to deer hunt, except in the WESTERN Deer Season, where deer populations are less and a longer gun season is not justified.

If the gun season is opened up one week (6 days) earlier, to provide for two weeks of Muzzle Loader season statewide, the CENTRAL Deer Season will have “0″ days of “Bow Only” days during the “Pre-Rut”, which is still not after the “Rut” really kicks in about mid-November. Statewide totals will change from 37 to 31 days for the bow only season and from 111 to 117 days for the firearms season. Again, where is the “bias” toward bowhunting? It seems from the “Human Dimenseions Surveys” that there was no overwhelming majority of hunters that favor this proposal, so there was no “mandate” to approve it to begin with. And, again, there was no biological data to support this change. So, why did the commissioners vote to approve it? This is why we (NCBA) oppose this change.

We (NCBA) also believe there are other ‘Safety’ and ‘Social’ factors for why any gun season for deer should not be opened earlier. From a ‘Safety’ standpoint, we feel it will be dangerous, not only for hunters and bowhunters in particular! It will be dangerous to others who will be using the woods at this time of year.. late October.. when leaves are still on trees and in full fall colors to boot. This foliage will not only restrict vision and line of sight for hunters and make for dangerous shooting situations, our ‘blaze orange’ hats and vests will blend in with the fall colors complicating already dangerous situations. From a ‘Social’ standpoint, there could be many more unwanted and unnecessary confrontations and conflicts between hunters and others who will be in the outdoors during this time engaging in a variety of other outdoor activities such as hiking, camping, biking, horseback riding, animal/bird watching.. and just sightseeing in general to take in the fall colors.

NCBA firmly believes gun seasons should not open earlier for these reasons, not only in the Central and Western Deer season areas, but in the Eastern seasons as well.

The other proposal NCBA opposes is the legalization of crossbows across the board for anyone who wants to use them. We specially oppose them being legalized during ‘Bow Only’ seasons for anyone other than those who qualify for the handicapped hunting permit to use them. This is why this state law was enacted some 12-15 years ago.. to give the handicapped and physically challenged hunters a “special” privilege and the opportunity and advantage to hunt during bow seasons. Adoption of this proposal will eliminate the need for the special handicapped license/permits, and it will also eliminate the only advantage and privilege handicapped hunters currently have during the hunting season. We also feel this new rule that legalizes crossbows for everyone will contribute to overcrowding on public game lands during bow only seasons and detract from the quality of the hunting experience for those who have no other hunting opportunities available to them. The obvious solution to this is to restrict crossbows to gun seasons only.

As for Sunday hunting, NCBA has always taken a neutral stance, but stated that we would support whatever position the Wildlife Resources Commission chose to take on this issue. Since the commissioners did vote to approve Sunday bowhunting, we now voice our support of this proposal.

As President of the N.C. Bowhunters Association, I cannot lose sight of the fact that it is my sworn duty to work to preserve the heritage and tradition of the sport of bowhunting, and to support and enforce our Constitution and Bylaws. It is my intent to continue to do this. It is also our intent to continue to work with our wildlife agency and its professional staff to do what is best for our wildlife resources.

Ramon Bell, President/NCBA (August 21, 2009)

The following “Comments” were posted on the NC Sportsman Website on May 27, 2009. These comments are in response to an article in the Raleigh News & Observer titled, “Change Needs to Occur”.. by Mike Zlotnicki.
*******************************************************************************
NCBA at odds with WRC over public meetings and comments from commissioners to NCBA officers

The article appeared in the April 12th issue of the Raleigh News & Observer. It outlines some continuing issues we (NCBA) have had with the leadership of the NCWRC. Sometime after the March 4 commission meeting, NCBA (and others) questioned the legality of not being informed or allowed to attend committee meetings as had been the case in the past. It appears that this issue has been resolved at this time, as we received an email from the WRC today explaining the new policy.
There is also an article on the North Carolina Sportsman Magazine website that allures to an official grievance that has been filed with the office of the Governor pertaining to pressure brought upon us (NCBA) by the chairman and other leaders from the commissioners group meant to discourage future opposition to proposals we (or anyone) may be in disagreement with. Several of us have met personally, and also received phone calls from a couple of the commissioners who, in the course of conversation, mentioned their close political ties with the Governor and other legislators. And they insinuated that they could deny us consideration in the future on many issues, and even eliminate our bow seasons if they chose to do so. We interpreted this as being very intimidating to us personally, and even threatening to the existence of bowhunting itself. We (NCBA) also view this as abuse of the power vested
in them by their appointment and a violation of their oath of office as a wildlife commissioner.

Mr. Seegars (Chairman at the time) stated, “Anytime we had a disagreement with them, they would take it personally. They have been incensed over this stuff, and I don’t know why.” I will comment that. In reference to the proposals, we do not take it personally. We objected because we did not agree with the proposals, and we will continue to object to proposals that we disagree with and feel are not in the best interest of the resource, or of the sport of hunting, and bowhunting in particular.
The WRC continues to whittle away the “Bow Only” seasons and Mr. Seegars says he doesn’t know why hunters are not happy with that! No one, including the NCBA is seeking to convert gun seasons to “Bow Only” seasons. On the contrary, it is quite the opposite. We are in a continuing struggle to try to preserve the existing “Bow Only” seasons from being converted to gun seasons for reasons not supported by any biological basis or fact, or by the majority of the WRC’s biological staff. The WRC’s position has been simply stated that, “we want to increase gun seasons so more people can have the opportunity to gun hunt earlier.” This sort of approach to management of deer has wreaked havoc on deer populations in other states like Pennsylvania and Georgia and ruined deer hunting in general for the average hunter. It is our opinion that this sort of wildlife/deer management mentality here in North Carolina would be devastating to the deer herd and to the sport of deer hunting itself, not to speak of the effect it would have on bowhunting and the archery industry itself in N.C.
For Bowhunting,
Ramon Bell, President/NCBA
***************************************

Tragedy up And Down the East Coast in Hurricane Bill’s Path

This past weekend Hurricane Bill’s path up the east coast of the United States and Canada seemed the best possible outcome not making landfall as it burned up its energy and punch. However damaging waves, rip currents, and treacherous seas wreaked havoc on those who dared to get near.
In Florida a 54 year old man drowned while body surfing on Saturday in the storm fueled waves. On Sunday as many as 5 people were washed into the ocean at Acadia National Park when a large wave crashed over the viewing platform at Thunder Hole. Two of the five people were immediately rescued by bystanders and the three others were swept out to sea. Two of the three were rescued by US Coast Guard but the third, a seven year old girl was not and her body was recovered hours later.
The death of Michael Nemes on Saturday in Onslow County would also appear to be related to Hurricane Bill as more details of this tragedy become available.
Michael Nemes a vacationing police officer from New York was driving a jet ski on the ocean side of Brown’s Inlet a remote location along the North Carolina Coast near Camp Lejeune when the single vessel accident occurred around 4 pm.

The incident occurred around 4 p.m., said Jackie Schmidt of Jacksonville and his brother-in-law, Dan Haugk, of Holly Springs, who attempted to rescue the Nemes.
Schmidt and Haugk had been on their personal watercraft on the sound side of the beach, when a woman came running up the beach screaming that someone was drowning.
“We took off on our skis and went around the sound side, through Browns Inlet, and saw a man out in the ocean,” Haugk told The Daily News on Sunday.
Initially, Haugk said he thought a small boat had capsized, but as he got closer, he discovered it was a personal watercraft.
“I saw a person floating in the distance. He was face down and he was wearing a life jacket. I got as close as I could with the jet ski, then jumped off the jet ski and turned him over to see if he was responsive,” Haugk said.
Schmidt and Haugk tried to pull the man onto their personal watercraft, but the waves were too strong.
“About that time, an 8-foot wave hit us. I lost track of (Nemes) and the jet ski sunk,” said Haugk, who said he swam to shore on Browns Island. Haugk was able to spot Nemes out in the surf and, with Schmidt’s help, pulled him out the water.
“He had no pulse. He was unresponsive,” Haugk said.

Jacksonville Daily News
It took rescuers from Swansboro over an hour to reach the scene after the initial 911 call according to bystander reports. This accident remains under investigation by the NCWRC as well as the local medical examiner.
The power of the ocean especially when a storm is present or nearby can be over whelming. It would appear that in all these cases people wanted to be close to the excitement a storm like this can generate and the awe inspiring splendor of Mother Nature’s fury. Unfortunately they got caught up in that fury and paid dearly.

Guest Blogger Here Tomorrow

From time to time bloggers will have guests in to post on important topics or to fill on when the regular blogger is off. Tomorrow I’ll be stepping aside to allow a guest post on a very hot topic here in North Carolina and a man that has found himself at the center of it because of his position as president of the North Carolina Bow Hunters Association.
I sat next to Ramon Bell last month at the Big Game Committee Meeting and we struck up a conversation during the break. While there is a few things Raymond I probably disagree on there is far more stuff we agree on. As some may remember that many of the rule proposals for this upcoming season got sidetracked at the last minute and the NCBA has taken much of the blame for this. Initially that was my take on it but after some conversations with some folks and some digging on my part I discovered that the NCWRC had a lot to do with what happened.
At a time when hunters really should stand shoulder to shoulder with each other we don’t need some of the strive we have seen on some of the message forums. I’m happy to give Ramon and the North Carolina Bow hunters Association the opportunity to get their message out. I hope all my readers and any guests that drop in will listen to what Ramon has to say and feel free to comment.
While I wish Ramon was filling in because I was on the way to Maine to chase bears the reality is that I’m still in town but this is such an important topic that we need to talk about it. So please stop by Monday and see Ramon’s blog post.

NCWRC Investigates NY Police Officer’s Death

New York Police Officer Michael Nemes died in a Jet Ski accident while on vacation with his family in Onslow County North Carolina.

Southampton Town Police reported Sunday that Officer Michael Nemes was killed in a Jet Ski accident while on vacation with his family. He was riding the Jet Ski in Brown’s Inlet in Onslow County when he was involved in an accident and wound up in the water unconscious. The exact cause of his death is still being investigated by the enforcement division of the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, in conjunction with the Medical Examiner’s Office, police said.

Long Island Press

At this time there is no other details of the accident or the cause. Officer Nemis leaves behind a pregnant wife and a young family. Our thoughts and prayers are with them at this difficult time.

The Downside Of Building Wildlife Habitat

In my post earlier this morning I talked about constructing backyard habitat to encourage wildlife but I failed to mention the potential downside to encouraging wildlife. A story hit my mailbox about the town of Ardmore NC and coyotes moving into residential areas.

A Triad resident spotted a coyote in his back yard, and now he’s saying some pets are missing.
Neighbors in Ardmore said they can hear what have become the familiar yelps of a coyote late at night.
“I was mowing the yard and he came up,” said resident Sheldon Hoffman. “He came right up to those bushes behind me.”

WXII12

Developing cover for wildlife even in urban areas can encourage them to settle in an area even if it maybe a specie you’re not excited about having near your home.

Even though Ardmore is in the heart of Winston-Salem, it’s back yards like Hoffman’s that make the perfect habitat for a coyote den, wildlife officials said. When coyotes call overgrown brush their home, it means the neighborhood is their feeding ground.

Controlling the size of the brush you allow on your property will control to some extent what critters will set up and live there. However remember the smaller critters are part of the food chain that could bring larger predators in to your yard.
I don’t think that having a fox or coyote hunting in your yard is necessarily a bad thing but depending on where you live if that critter becomes a nuisance your options of dealing with it are limited.

Since Hoffman’s sighting, two cats on Westover Street have disappeared. Neighbors said they worry about what could disappear next.
“Someone’s dog, or heaven forbid a little child would be hurt, attacked or killed would be going too far,” said Ardmore resident Josh Kwasmy.
Before things get out of hand, Hoffman said he wants the dangerous animal trapped and taken outside of Ardmore and Winston-Salem.

Capturing and relocating while it sounds like a reasonable response is really not practical. For one the critter was attracted to that area in the first place because it provided what it needed to survive moving it will only encourage more to move in because of the void. If you want it gone you have to change something in the habitat to discourage it. That is not always possible so you may have to learn to learn to coexist.
When coexisting becomes difficult a more lethal method maybe your only option. I have just a story to tell you about shortly so stay tune.

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