Deer News - December 2023

 

Topics Discussed 

• Wisconsin Gun Deer Season: The 2023 season saw a decline in harvests, emphasizing safety in hunting practices.
• Massachusetts Sunday Deer Hunting Debate: Legislators are considering lifting a century-old ban on Sunday deer hunting.
• Minnesota's "Hunters For Hunters" Group: A new group is focusing on the impact of wolves on deer populations.
• Unsolved Case of Hunter Terry Brisk: Minnesota still seeks answers seven years after the mysterious death of Terry Brisk.
• Deer Hunting Expansion in Massachusetts: The Quabbin Reservoir sees an expansion of deer hunting to address rising deer populations and protect ecosystems.
• Utah Hunting Regulation Changes for 2024: Significant changes to hunting regulations, focusing on modernization and sustainability.
• Pittsburgh Pilot Deer Control Program: A successful pilot program in city parks has culled 64 deer, aiding urban wildlife management.

 

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Deer News - November 2023

In this November Edition of the BBR Deer News, news you might have missed over the last month, we cover several stories from around the country.  Here are the stories we cover and felt were news worthy:

• Controversial Sharpshooters: Discussion on sharpshooters hired to kill deer from helicopters on Catalina Island, California.
• Kentucky Poaching Cases: Coverage of poaching incidents in Kentucky.
• Urban Deer Hunting in West Virginia: A story about deer hunting in urban areas of West Virginia.
• New Bow and Arrow Hunt in Rhode Island: Introduction of a newly sanctioned bow and arrow hunting method in Rhode Island.
• Tree Stand Safety in Wisconsin: Advice on avoiding ash trees for tree stands in Wisconsin.
• Chronic Wasting Disease in Minnesota: Examination of a CWD (Chronic Wasting Disease) story in Minnesota.
• Spear Hunting in Arkansas: Discussion about the practice of spear hunting in Arkansas.
• Potential Record Buck in Texas: Report on a potential new record-setting buck in Texas.
• Major Changes in Utah: Discussion of significant changes in deer hunting regulations in Utah.
• Deer Population Management Debate in New York: Insights into a debate over managing a growing deer population in Jamestown, New York.

 

 

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Deer News September 2023

• Episode Overview: In this episode, we explore the multifaceted challenges and developments in deer populations and wildlife management across various regions.

• Topics Covered:

  1. TWRA Controversy: Unpacking the allegations against the Tennessee Wildlife and Resources Agency (TWRA) related to Chronic Wasting Disease.
  2. Urban Deer Overpopulation: Discussing the deer population challenges in urban areas, spotlighting Washington, DC, and Dartmouth.
  3. Hunting Season Updates: Highlighting the introduction of crossbows in Minnesota's archery deer season and Michigan's DNR's emphasis on antlerless deer hunting.
  4. Digital Transition in Hunting: Exploring the modern shift to digital kill registrations and its impact on the hunting community.
  5. Lake Winnipesaukee's Deer Hunting: A look at the decision to open all islands for deer hunting.
  6. Controversial Proposals: Navigating the deer baiting ban debate in Kansas and the legal challenges faced by Mill Creek MetroParks' deer management strategy.

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302 The Big Boy Buck - An Ohio Poaching Case

We've partnered with Wayne Saunders from the Warden's Watch podcast to delve into a gripping story that serves as a cautionary tale for hunters and conservationists alike. Ohio is a prime destination for white-tailed deer hunters, but unfortunately, it also attracts poachers. We'll explore the story of "Big Boy," a trophy buck that captured the attention of ethical hunters and law enforcement officers, only to fall victim to poaching.

• Ohio as a Hunting Destination: Why Ohio is a hotspot for white-tailed deer hunting and, regrettably, also for poaching.
• The Ethical Hunters: Ian Obenshain and Brad Bailey spot Big Boy in the summer of 2009 and plan to hunt it ethically in the fall.
• Officer Gilkey's Involvement: The hunters specifically wanted Officer Gilkey to be involved in overseeing the hunting area.
• The Disappearance: Big Boy vanishes from trail cameras just before the hunting season begins.
• The Expo Revelation: Months later, Big Boy is displayed at an expo, claimed to be a Kentucky state record by a poacher.
• The Confession: The poacher sticks to his story but eventually confesses, hoping to avoid prison time.
• Legal Consequences: The poacher, with thirteen prior hunting convictions, faces a lifetime hunting ban and a $23,572.05 fine under Ohio's Trophy Restitution Law.
• Recognition for Officer Gilkey: He receives the Ohio Bow Hunter Officer of the Year award for solving this case.
• Role of Ethical Hunters: The hunters who initially spotted and documented Big Boy also deserve recognition for their ethical approach.
• Reporting Wildlife Crime: The importance of reporting wildlife crimes through platforms like wildlifecrimestoppers.org.
• The Emotional Toll: The loss of Big Boy was hard for the ethical hunters, but the case also brought them closer as friends.
• Law Enforcement's Approach: The seriousness with which the case was handled is a testament to the importance of wildlife conservation.

 

The tale of Big Boy serves as a stark reminder of the challenges faced by ethical hunters and the importance of wildlife conservation. While the story had a bittersweet ending, it also showcased the dedication of law enforcement officers like Officer Gilkey and the role of ethical hunters in preserving the integrity of the sport. The case also highlights the importance of reporting wildlife crimes, which can be done across all 50 states and Canada through wildlifecrimestoppers.org. Let's all take a moment to appreciate the efforts of those who strive to keep our forests and wildlife safe.

 

 

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Deer News August 2023

In this episode of Deer News for August 2023, we cover a variety of topics including the dispute over deer management in Arlington, new hunting regulations in Minnesota and Missouri, illegal hunting charges in Pennsylvania, crossbow impact debate in West Virginia, and an illegal hunting investigation in Ontario. Tune in for an in-depth discussion on these critical issues affecting deer population, hunting practices, and conservation efforts.

 

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