Rain produces outstanding deer
Hunters may never see one, though, unless they get out of the deer stand
By BARRY HALVORSON bhalvorson@journal-spectator.com

A wet year will be producing some outstanding deer this hunting season if the state's wildlife biologists are correct in their estimates.

But the average hunter might never see one unless they get out of the deer blind, away from the feeder and out in the brush and woods. And with more people wandering the woods, there is an increased chance this season of accidental shootings.

The reason for deer moving away from the feeders is an above average acorn crop that has deer feeding in their natural habitat and that makes them harder to find, Texas Parks and Wildlife Game Warden Scott Blackburn said. Blackburn is currently assigned to Wharton County.

"I'd say you're going to have to get out and hunt the old-fashioned way by tracking the deer," he said. "You need to find the trails they are moving on and look for deer rubs on trees. You aren't going to be able to rely on feeders to pull deer in this year."

Among those areas Blackburn recommends scouting are locations where deer can find water.

"That includes ponds and creeks, or just about any low spot that is going to hold water," he said.

On state-operated land, Blackburn said the danger is reduced in part by TPWD requirements that mandate hunters wear bright orange vests and hats, something not required for hunting on private leases, where the normal garb tends toward camouflage only.

"So the big thing on private land is to know who is on the lease on any particular day," he said. "You can have a situation where one person arrives at 5 a.m. and another at 5:15 a.m. and they don't know the other one is out there. So if one is out there walking around, they might not realize the situation and cross someone else's shooting boundary."

Blackburn said Opening Day and weekends will actually be safer than later in the season.

"Opening weekend, people generally arrive the night before or early in the day and know who's out there," he said. "It's later in the season or during the week when someone is walking around that getting shot is a more likely scenario."

Another prohibition on state land that doesn't apply to private leases is drinking while hunting.

"We obviously don't recommend it, but it isn't against the law" Blackburn said. "The combination of firearms and alcohol is not something to take lightly. But I do recommend using common sense and knowing your boundaries when it comes to alcohol."

Other safety tips for the hunting season include exercising firearm responsibility and letting people know when and where you are hunting.

"It is best to keep your gun on safety and not have a bullet in the chamber so you don't have an accidental discharge," he said. "It only takes a moment to flick off the safety and chamber a round and you should have time for that when a shot presents itself."

As far as planning your hunt, be as specific as possible.

"Always let someone know where you're headed," Blackburn said. "Include when you expect to come back. Texas is so big and so rural, it might be a week before someone even goes to that lease. And include as much detail as possible, for example if you're going to be in the northeast or southeast part of the lease. It might not seem important when you're leaving but if you find yourself in a bad situation it can save your life."