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2008 Deer Forecast: The NortheastBy Alex Robinson Herd assessment numbers are in. How will your fall deer season stack up? Here’s Part 1 of OL.com’s exclusive state-by-state report. Aug 13, 2008
THE NORTHEAST
Estimated deer population: 62,189 (minimum population) 2007 harvest: 11,062 2007 permits sold: 60,000
Where to hunt: While you can find mature bucks all over the state, the small woodlots of Fairfield County in the southwest have a history of being a big-buck factories. Housatonic State Forest located in the northwest corner of the state is a great place to hunt on public land if you don't mind hiking through tough terrain. The forest encompasses 10,749 acres of steep topography that scattered with hardwoods and mixed conifer forests. If you can hike far enough away from hunting pressure and get to areas of secluded hardwoods you have a good chance of getting a nice buck, Gregonis says.
For more information: http://www.ct.gov/dep/site/default.asp
DELAWARE Tag fees: $25 resident; $130 non-resident Estimated deer population: 54,000–50,000 2007 harvest: 13,670 2007 hunters: 19,681 Success rate: 69 percent
Forecast: Last year Delaware had its third highest overall deer harvest in history, and biologist Joe Rogerson says hunters should expect another good season this year. There would have been an even higher harvest last season but the hunters were plagued by poor weather during the muzzleloader and shotgun seasons, Rogerson says. The deer herd is going into the fall healthy, but areas in the northwest were hit by Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease last season. Rogerson says EHD shouldn't have a serious impact on this season.
Public Land: The biggest tracts of public land are located in Sussex County, which has historically high deer densities. The area is perfect whitetail country: a combination of agricultural fields and wood lots. If you're up for a challenge, try hunting the Cedar Swamp WMA located in the northeastern corner of the state. The 8,000-acre management area has had a 15-inch spread restriction since 2004, which means there are some big swamp bucks to up for the taking. But big bucks don't come easy in Delaware, the WMA is dominated by marsh habitat, meaning if you want to get to the trophy-buck hangouts, you're going to need a pair of hip-boots. Rogerson lives near Cedar Swamp WMA, and says if you are even considering scouting the area, you should buy your mosquito repellent in bulk.
For more information: http://www.fw.delaware.gov/Hunting/Pages/Wildlife.aspx
MAINE Tag fees: $21 resident, $102 nonresident Estimated deer population: 249,000 2007 harvest: 28,855 Hunters: NA
Forecast: Last year Maine's deer population was rocked by one of the worst winters in the last 60 years. The entire state suffered from a harsh winter, but the northeastern corner saw the worst of it and recorded record snow falls. In some regions there was still snow on the ground in May. The season harvest should be lower this year (especially in the north), says state deer and moose biologist Lee Kantar. In the northern Maine, an average winter mortality rate is 17 percent of the deer herd, this year it was double that. Because of the high winterkill, there will be 15,000 fewer tags offered to hunters. But there is an upside: Big Pine Tree State bucks are tough and they know how to survive the winter. There are still opportunities to see nice deer this year, and the real affects of last winter probably won't be felt for another year or two, Kantar says.
Where to hunt: The deer densities are much higher in southern Maine, so if you just want to put venison in the freezer stay away from the north woods this year. The problem is that 90 percent of land in this part of the state is private, so access can be tricky. Maine's north woods are known for tough hunting and big bucks. If you know your way around and are willing to work you have a chance of killing a bruiser this year despite last year's tough winter. If you want to hunt public land try the White Mountain National forest, which is located in southeastern Maine on the New Hampshire border. If you're determined to hunt the north, one of the bigger tracts of public hunting land is Telos Public Reserved Land. There are 23,000 acres of forest that surrounds Tells Lake on the southern end of Lake Chamberlain.
For more information: http://www.state.me.us/ifw/
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Forecast: Connecticut has had a consistent deer harvest for the past five years and hunters in the Constitution state should more of the same, says wildlife biologist Mike Gregonis. Connecticut didn't suffer the tough winter other New England states to the north did and the deer herd should be healthy going into the season. The highest deer densities are in units 11 and 12, which are found in the southwestern costal region. There is a possibility of a crossbow season being offered this year in this region to put deer populations in check.
