Post by Woody Williams on Sept 13, 2005 9:23:26 GMT -5
Hunters test proficiency
By Justin McIntosh jmcintosh@mariettatimes.com
David Pierpoint’s first shot hit the target, but it was the wrong deer.
After a gentle redirection from Ohio Department of Natural Resources officials, Pierpoint, 46, of 200 Aurora St., Marietta, moved his 10-point crossbow toward the middle deer and took another four shots.
The next four arrows hit the foam target deer, qualifying him to participate in Marietta’s first limited deer hunt inside the city limits. Pierpoint was one of at least 12 people who participated in the proficiency test Thursday, the first day of the tests.
Pierpoint said he wants to hunt in Marietta because the high number of deer in the city limits concern him, but he still hasn’t found a property to hunt on.
“I haven’t tried yet but what I see a problem with is no less than four acres and can’t hunt within 250 feet of dwelling pretty much wipes out four acres,” Pierpoint said.
The city’s proficiency test consisted of having to shoot 20 yards at a 3-D target and get four to five arrows in the kill zone. The education courses will consist of field work.
The measure to allow the deer hunt was passed through City Council in July by a 6-0 vote, compared to the last vote to occur on the issue, which was in 1997, when council defeated a deer management program similar to the current proposal by a 4-3 vote.
With the approval the limited deer hunt will begin Oct. 1 with the start of the deer bow hunting season in Ohio and end Jan. 30 at the conclusion of the deer bow hunting season.
Eric Bear, Ohio Department of Natural Resources wildlife officer, said most of the nearly 12 people who came to the testing site by 6 p.m. were also concerned about the ability to find huntable property.
Bear said most of the hunters coming to the testing are serious hunters.
“Everybody’s passed so far,” he said. “So far I’m pretty impressed with the ones that have shown up.”
The guidelines say that hunting will be allowed on areas of at least four acres of contiguous property and must have the homeowner’s permission.
Hunting can only be done during the day Monday through Friday and not on school holidays; from a tree stand; with a crossbow and bolt or a bow and arrow; and the arrows used must carry the name of the hunter.
Hunting will not be allowed within 250 feet of a residence and hunters must remove entrails from the scene of the hunt and transport the deer so it’s not visible.
Hunters must follow the regulations and guidelines established by the Ohio Division of Wildlife.
Bear said the permits for the deer hunt will be $24 for the regular deer permit.
Requiring a regular permit means deer hunters participating in the city hunt must count any deer harvested in the city as part of their bag limit, Bear said.
The bag limit for the city hunt will be determined by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources each year, but hunters must kill an antlerless deer before claiming a buck. Bear said the ODNR has set the bag limit for Washington County for the 2005-2006 season at two antlerless deer and one buck or three antlerless deer.
By Justin McIntosh jmcintosh@mariettatimes.com
David Pierpoint’s first shot hit the target, but it was the wrong deer.
After a gentle redirection from Ohio Department of Natural Resources officials, Pierpoint, 46, of 200 Aurora St., Marietta, moved his 10-point crossbow toward the middle deer and took another four shots.
The next four arrows hit the foam target deer, qualifying him to participate in Marietta’s first limited deer hunt inside the city limits. Pierpoint was one of at least 12 people who participated in the proficiency test Thursday, the first day of the tests.
Pierpoint said he wants to hunt in Marietta because the high number of deer in the city limits concern him, but he still hasn’t found a property to hunt on.
“I haven’t tried yet but what I see a problem with is no less than four acres and can’t hunt within 250 feet of dwelling pretty much wipes out four acres,” Pierpoint said.
The city’s proficiency test consisted of having to shoot 20 yards at a 3-D target and get four to five arrows in the kill zone. The education courses will consist of field work.
The measure to allow the deer hunt was passed through City Council in July by a 6-0 vote, compared to the last vote to occur on the issue, which was in 1997, when council defeated a deer management program similar to the current proposal by a 4-3 vote.
With the approval the limited deer hunt will begin Oct. 1 with the start of the deer bow hunting season in Ohio and end Jan. 30 at the conclusion of the deer bow hunting season.
Eric Bear, Ohio Department of Natural Resources wildlife officer, said most of the nearly 12 people who came to the testing site by 6 p.m. were also concerned about the ability to find huntable property.
Bear said most of the hunters coming to the testing are serious hunters.
“Everybody’s passed so far,” he said. “So far I’m pretty impressed with the ones that have shown up.”
The guidelines say that hunting will be allowed on areas of at least four acres of contiguous property and must have the homeowner’s permission.
Hunting can only be done during the day Monday through Friday and not on school holidays; from a tree stand; with a crossbow and bolt or a bow and arrow; and the arrows used must carry the name of the hunter.
Hunting will not be allowed within 250 feet of a residence and hunters must remove entrails from the scene of the hunt and transport the deer so it’s not visible.
Hunters must follow the regulations and guidelines established by the Ohio Division of Wildlife.
Bear said the permits for the deer hunt will be $24 for the regular deer permit.
Requiring a regular permit means deer hunters participating in the city hunt must count any deer harvested in the city as part of their bag limit, Bear said.
The bag limit for the city hunt will be determined by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources each year, but hunters must kill an antlerless deer before claiming a buck. Bear said the ODNR has set the bag limit for Washington County for the 2005-2006 season at two antlerless deer and one buck or three antlerless deer.
All it's going to do is cast doubt or uncertainty on a program that in my opinion is long overdue in some areas. 
