Guns Before Bows?

Alright Rack Readers, I've got a question for you.

What would you think if your state decided to open a gun season before your archery season begins? I'm assuming here that most states hold their bow seasons before the gun season -- I realize there may be a few exceptions.

Well, my home state of Michigan is about to do just that. Recently, the Michigan Natural Resources Commission approved an early firearms season for antlerless deer in the southern portion of Michigan's Lower Peninsula.

This region is primarily farm country with ideal habitat for producing huge numbers of deer -- too many deer in fact. For a number of years, the southern reaches of the state have been well above the DNR's population goals. We're talking about densities of 50-plus deer per square mile.

In an attempt to cut the population back, the NRC and Department of Natural Resources are adding a gun season for antlerless deer which will be held in mid-September, about two weeks before the start of the state's archery season which opens on October 1.

I admit that, personally, I have mixed feelings over the hunt. I certainly understand the need for population control and I don't think the season will have any negative biological impact on the local deer herd. In fact, in the long run I think it could have a positive impact. We do, indeed, have too many deer. And, based on my personal observations, our sex ratios are way out of whack and the age structure leaves plenty to be desired.

We certainly need to kill more does. But, as a diehard bowhunter, I'll also admit that I'm not wild about the idea of having a gun season held before the start of the bow season. The opportunity to observe and hunt deer in a natural and relaxed state is one of the primary reasons that I enjoy bow season so much. Believe me, when you have 750,000 gun hunters in the woods, deer behave very, very differently.

Now, I don't think we'll see the type of participation in the September hunt that we see in our traditional November 15-30 gun season. But there will be some participation and I suspect it will have an impact on how deer behave in the archery season.

That said, I think the season could also provide some additional hunting opportunities at a time of year when the weather is decent (in fact, it will likely be too warm rather than too cold) and it will allow hunters to jumpstart their pursuit of whitetails.

As I said, we have too many does and we need to knock them back. This hunt is a way to do that.
Will I participate in the season?

Yes I will. I love being a deer hunter and I take pride in being a "deer manager." Our state biologists are asking for the help of hunters in reducing deer numbers. I want to do my part -- plus the thought of firing up the grill and sizzling up an ultra-fresh hunk of backstrap before a Michigan State football game sounds pretty good.

However, I'll probably stick with the archery tackle. I have nothing whatsoever against guns or gun hunting -- I'll spend a big chunk of time in the woods this year with a firearm. But I love to target a doe or two early in the year with my bow. It's tremendous preparation for the shot I hope to have at a good buck later in the year and there's just something special about taking a deer with a bow that I love. The September season seems like a great time to do just that.

So, put yourself in my shoes, what would you think about your state holding a gun season before your state's archery season? Would you support it? Would you participate?

Tony Hansen, Michigan Man