Archers haven’t kept pace of early deer season
Numbers might not lie, but sometimes we fool ourselves about what they mean.
For instance, archers this year took considerably more whitetails in Ohio during the opening Saturday through the first Tuesday of the hunt compared with a year ago. Such a jump projected over an entire deer campaign would’ve put Ohio by season’s end in harvest territory unreached for nearly a decade. Specifically, the overall numbers during the opening four-day span ending Sept. 28 totaled 5,766 deer. The archery total during the first four days of the 2020-21 season numbered 4,965. That’s a difference of 801 whitetails, an increase of 16.1%.
The remarkable initial tallies, though, seemed far less significant after an abrupt about-face a week later.
The update released Thursday indicated a total of 10,061 deer checked, fewer by 2,556 than the 12,617 reported after the first 11 days of the 2020 season. As a single hair doesn’t make a beard, the opening four or 11 days don’t foretell a season’s results, reminded Ohio Division of Wildlife deer specialist Mike Tonkovich.
“If you go back to 2019, the harvest was 8,599, making the two-year average 10,619. We’re just 5% off that. As it turns out, we are up 17% from 2019 and down 20% from last year,” he wrote Thursday in answer to an emailed question. “Pretty typical ‘noise’ for just 10 days of archery hunting.”
Go fish
Knox Lake, located in Knox County several long casts northeast of Fredericktown, is back in business officially after the completion of a yearlong $4.6 million project to repair an aging dam and to make other improvements.
A dedication was held recently. A combination of state and federal money paid for repairs and improvements to the dam, the addition of riprap to prevent erosion and the upgrading of the south boat ramp.
The 476-acre impoundment formed by the blocked waters of the Kokosing River is known as one of Ohio’s best producers of big largemouth bass. Powerboats can be used on the lake, although motors of more than 9.9 horsepower must run at idle speed.
Fall turkey
Ohio’s fall turkey season opened Saturday in 70 counties, including Franklin, Fairfield, Delaware and Licking. Licking finished fifth among the counties open during last year’s fall hunt with 28 birds checked. A single bird of either sex may be taken during the fall season that runs through Nov. 28.
Purchase of a fall permit is required.
Legal hunting equipment includes most shotguns, longbows and crossbows. For complete information, consult the booklet, Ohio Hunting and Trapping Regulations 2021-22, or check out the website, wildohio.gov.
Trap chances
Lottery applications for special permits to trap beavers and otters during the upcoming season will be accepted through Oct. 17 at the website, wildohio.gov, using the link to Ohio’s Wildlife Licensing System. A $3 non-refundable fee is required to apply online.
Trapping sites in central Ohio include Alum Creek, Deer Creek, Delaware and Buckeye Lake state parks and Delaware, Deer Creek and Big Island wildlife areas.
Parting shots
Charlie Hartley of Grove City advanced to the final round during the Bassmaster Southern Open on Lake Norman in North Carolina. Hartley finished ninth overall with a three-day catch of 15 bass weighing 31 pounds, 1 ounce. … The hunting season for ruffed grouse began yesterday and will continue through Nov 28 on public land and Jan. 1 on public land. The daily limit is a single bird. … The initial phase of the seasons for geese, ducks, coots and mergansers commences Saturday in the Lake Erie Marsh Zone.
outdoors@dispatch.com