Tri-State Bow Hunt Bucks

Tri-State Bowhunt Bucks

By Jeff Knapp

Bowhunting, as compared to firearms seasons that come later, often offers better chances at taking older-age-class bucks, the ones that carry bragging rights with them. In Pennsylvania, as well as in neighboring states, certain circumstances are present that add up to bucks with exceptional racks. Here’s a look at a few of them.

PENNSYLVANIA’S

SUBURBAN BUCKS

Whitetail bucks are adaptable creatures. As such, they can live in close proximity to human populations, at times leaving little evidence of their existence. Hunting pressure is often nil, and bucks that don’t end lying along the road can achieve trophy status.

“There are some excellent opportunities for those who are willing to build relationships with suburban landowners and adapt to a suburban hunting environment,” said Jeannine Tardiff, Game Commission deer biologist. “Deer have adapted well to landscapes altered dramatically by man. Hunters also need to adapt. Deer movements in suburban environments are easier to pattern than in large wooded tracts; however, access is always a challenge. The opportunities are there, for those who are able to secure permission to hunt in these areas.”

Last year. the Game Commission made changes in its safety zone regulations that benefit bowhunters. The safety zone was modified, for bowhunters only, from 150 to 50 yards. This is a tremendous advantage when hunting urban and suburban areas.

“We believe the safety zone change will improve hunter success in many of the state’s urban and suburban areas where deer populations are excessively large and increasingly difficult to control,” PGC Executive Director Vern Ross said. “In addition, bowhunters, for the most part, are taking shots of 20 to 30 yards and usually from an elevated treestand toward the ground. Because of these two factors, and the fact that we have not had any incidents occur in the Special Regulations Area counties since the establishment of a 50-yard safety zone for archers, we do not foresee this being a problem.”

A 50-yard safety zone for bowhunters has been in effect in the special regulations areas in Allegheny County and southeastern Pennsylvania since 1996. Statewide, the safety zone for firearms hunting remains at 150 yards.

BUCKEYE BUCKS

Across the state border to the west is some of the best trophy buck hunting in the country. Though the word is getting out, generally Ohio isn’t regarded with the same national attention as states such as Illinois, Iowa, Wisconsin and Kansas in terms of producing record class bucks. But the record book shows Ohio ranks right up there with the big boys. And while a record book buck may not be the goal of most area bowhunters, the average Ohio buck is often bigger than what many hunters are accustomed to seeing. Firearms seasons in Ohio are limited to muzzleloaders and slug guns. Without being exposed to the efficiency of centerfire rifles, many bucks live an extra year or two.

Though buck bucks are taken all across Ohio, some of the better habitat exists in southeastern Ohio. Extensive public tracts are found in Wayne National Forest. Also, American Electric Power, a prominent utility company in Ohio, permits hunting on many of its lands. Many of the AEP lands were surface mined and offer a mix of habitats favored by whitetails. I’ve hunted AEP property during the peak of the bowhunting season without competition from other hunters.

Ohio’s bow season remains open after the Pennsylvania seasons closes in mid- November. If you haven’t had your fill of fall bowhunting at that time, Ohio is an excellent option.

More information on Ohio’s hunting opportunities can be obtained by logging on to the Ohio Division of Wildlife’s website at: www.dnr.state.oh.us/wildlife.

WEST VIRGINIA’S

BOWHUNTING-ONLY COUNTIES

The southern West Virginia counties of Logan, Mingo, Wyoming and McDowell contain many older bucks. These counties have been under a bowhunting-only restriction for over 20 years. The big bucks are there, but the hunting is difficult on more than one level.

This area of West Virginia is very rugged. While it doesn’t have the high elevations like those found in the Monongahela National Forest, the mountains are steep. Mining activity is the main commercial activity there, mostly of the open pit “mountaintop mining” that’s seen with a dim view by the environmental community. Logging is also common there. Most of the access to interior hunting areas is via mining roads, the availability of which is subject to change due to current mining operations. The quality bucks are there, but this isn’t a deal where you drive down, pack up your stand, and head into the woods. Pre-hunt planning is a vital component. Those willing to put in the extra work can be rewarded with a unique hunting experience with true trophy buck potential.

For additional information of deer hunting in the Mountain State visit the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources website at www.wvdnr.gov.