Archery Season in January?

It appears that there will be a proposal floated at this years wildlife meetings to open up a January season to curb the burgeoning urban deer problem. Specifics have not been laid out yet but other states that have similar programs require hunter proficiency test prior to being able to hunt.

By Ramon Bell
Special to the News & Record
The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission is considering a proposal that would establish an urban archery deer season in participating cities.

The program, if approved by the commission, is aimed at curbing overpopulation of whitetail deer in urban areas.

Bow hunters and other interested parties can offer their input on the matter at the District 5 wildlife meeting at the Alamance County Courthouse in Graham on Jan. 10. The meeting starts at 7 p.m.

To qualify for the program, under the proposed guidelines cities would have to send a letter and map each year to the NCWRC requesting inclusion.

The hunting season would run from the second Saturday in January through the next five Saturdays.

Deer of either sex would be legal for harvest. Adult bucks that have dropped their antlers will be considered anterless deer.

Each city that chooses to apply for inclusion in the program would have to establish its own guidelines.

In other states, for example, cities with similar programs require special permits for bow hunters. Eligible bow hunters must be certified by taking approved bow-hunter education courses, pass a shooting proficiency and qualification test, and must be covered by individual or group liability insurance. In other states, cities simply allow landowners to bow hunt if the hunters own a minimum number of acres in specified areas within the city limits.

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