Interested in Elk calling?

If you're interested in calling Elk, check out this article.

Adam Thompson
"The hunting news guy"

Area businesses benefit from start of deer hunting season

By BRETT DUNLAP

PARKERSBURG - Local businesses benefited economically from Monday's opening of deer hunting season.

Hunters came into town Sunday and spent the night so they could be up and out as early as possible for the start of the season.

Steve Nicely, president of the Greater Parkersburg Visitors and Convention Bureau, said local hotels see an increase in out-of-town guests at the beginning of hunting season.

''Places like North Bend (State Park) see a significant increase,'' Nicely said Tuesday. ''These people come to the area, they spend the night, eat meals, buy gas and purchase their supplies locally. There is definitely some impact to the local economy.''

The West Virginia Department of Natural Resources expects 350,000 hunters statewide, resulting in an annual economic impact of $233 million across the state.

''It's the biggest single-day event of any kind in West Virginia,'' said Curtis Taylor, chief of the DNR's Wildlife Resources Section. ''Nothing else even comes close. A West Virginia University football game might involve 70,000 people. The opening day of buck season stands alone, both in terms of participation and economic impact.''

Microtel in Mineral Wells had all 52 rooms booked Sunday night, said assistant manager Abha Patel. ''We are doing real good,'' she said. ''We believe we will do good into (Tuesday).''

The Amerihost Inn in Mineral Wells had repeat customers who took up 10 rooms of the hotel's 61 rooms, said General Manager Jill Huling. They had guests from Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Tennessee and Ohio.

''Many of them checked out (Tuesday) morning because they got a deer yesterday,'' she said. ''The opening of hunting season has always been good for our business.''

The Hampton Inn in Mineral Wells did not report increases in business for this time of year and was maintaining its normal numbers.

Cracker Barrel at Mineral Wells reported a slow Monday with hunters more interested in getting into the field than to the breakfast table. Gasoline stations and convenience stores in the area reported a brisk business Sunday and Monday morning.

Hunters were buying supplies and gassing up four-wheelers. Hunters bought potato chips, drinks, jerky, items to make sandwiches and other items to spend the day outdoors.

Once the hunting is done, hunters will take their game to a local meat processor to cut it and get the choice cuts of meat.

Pioneer Meat Processing in Waverly received 70-80 deer Monday, said employee Andy Judge.

''We are going to start cutting them (Tuesday),'' he said. ''Hunting season is always a busy time for us.''

Most of the deer brought in is from local hunters, but Judge said they had a few out-of-state customers coming in hoping to have their meat processed before they start for home Tuesday.

Hunters ask for the tenderloin, either sliced or butterflied; steaks, both sliced and cubed; and shoulder and ham roasts, Judge said. They also make trail bologna, snack sticks and summer sausage from the deer meat.

The hunting season combined with the holidays has a significaant economic impact, said George Kellenberger, president of the Chamber of Commerce of the Mid-Ohio Valley.

Many people will be going out the day after Thanksgiving to begin their Christmas shopping. It is traditionally a time when families are together during the long Thanksgiving weekend.

Hunters are already here for the holiday, visiting with friends and family.

''There are many hunters who brought their families with them,'' Kellenberger said. ''Many of those families will be going to the mall, the Patriot Center or other shopping centers for something to do while the hunters are out in the woods.''

The DNR office in Parkersburg reported 5,392 deer were bagged Monday during the first day of hunting season across Calhoun, Doddridge, Gilmer, Jackson, Pleasants, Ritchie, Roane, Tyler, Wirt and Wood counties.

That number is down 14 percent from the first day of hunting season last year, local DNR officials said.
*******************

Just wanted to pass along this interesting angle on hunting....

Adam Thompson
The Hunting News Guy :-)

Hunting Safety Article

I found this article online...I'm not sure I would consider huting quite as dangerous of a sport as the author of this article does, but it's a great reminder to stay safe in the field.

--Adam
The Hunting Blog Guy

Be The Hunter, Not The Hunted - Hunting Safety Tips Everyone Should Know

Out of all of the sports participated in around the world, hunting is considered to be one of the most dangerous. Due to this, many safety precautions must be made to ensure your safety, as well as the safety of those around you. This cannot be emphasized enough, as your life and the lives of your companions must be protected when you are going hunting, whether it is coon hunting, deer hunting, moose hunting or simple fowl hunting. There are several categories of hunting safety you should keep in mind, which consist of the following:

• Hunting Equipment
• Gun Safety
• Bow Safety
• Hunting Safety Courses
• Seasonal Hunting Safety

Hunting Equipment

Having the proper weapon and discount hunting supplies to go hunting is the first consideration you must make when preparing for a trip. If you are planning to hunt deer, you need to make certain that you have a gun or bow appropriate for deer. A standard pistol, for example, is considered an inappropriate gun type for deer hunting, while a crossbow or rifle are considered the right gun for the job. Taking a moose hunting rifle deer hunting would be considered inappropriate, as these guns are too powerful.

In addition to having the proper style of gun, you need to make certain you have everything you require to clean and field dress the animal you are hunting. This prevents unneeded trips back to your truck or other vehicle. You should also make certain you are wearing the proper clothing for the trip. This usually consists of the bright orange vests and hats, as well as other brightly colored clothing so other hunters can see you easily. While camouflage may help prevent the deer from seeing you, it also prevents other hunters from seeing you. This can result in your death, as other hunters may mistake you for a deer or another animal.

Gun Safety

When you are hunting with a gun, there are several things that you need to keep in mind. The safety on the weapon should be on at all times, unless you are preparing to fire at your quarry. The gun should always be pointed away from you and others, and never at your own feet. Being shot in the foot is highly uncomfortable, and requires surgery to repair the delicate bones. This precaution should be taken regardless of whether or not the safety on the weapon is on or off. Should the safety fail, it is much safer to have the gun misfire where no one will be hit.

The second primary consideration you should make is always taking proper care of your weapon. A well cared for weapon should not misfire or present unnecessary risk to yourself and your companions. A gun that has not had this level of care runs risk of misfiring, having a jammed barrel, or worse.

Bow Safety

Hunting with a bow is something that takes a lot of skill and energy to do. On account of this, there are just as many, if not more precautions a bow hunter must take in able to hunt safely. Before you go hunting with your bow, you need to make certain that your bow has been thoroughly checked. If the string or wire used on your bow looks frayed, replace it before you are out in the field. While a snapped bow string usually only causes mild welts or cuts, it is always best to have equipment in top shape before going go on your trip. If you are using a bow, you will want to make certain that you have the proper arm guards with you, and that you are wearing them when you notch your arrow and are preparing to kill the animal you are hunting. This helps protect you from injuries due to snapping strings or string rebound.

Another aspect of bow safety that you need to keep in mind is making certain that you have a bow that fits your strength. While being able to pull a heavier bow is considered a badge of honor among many hunters, pulling a bow that is too heavy for you can cause painful injuries that can take a lot of time to heal. If you insist on pulling a heavier bow so you can kill larger prey such as deer, you should take the time and care to work up slowly to the heavier bow. This can help prevent strained or torn muscles in the future.

Hunting Safety Courses

Before you go out hunting, especially if you have not been hunting in a while, you should make certain you participate in a hunting safety course in your area. Safety courses go over gun safety and handling, as well as teach or remind you the basics to the care and precautions that should be taken. Many of these courses cover hunting laws in your area, which you should be familiar with before you go hunting. Hunting safety courses are also good for those individuals that do not hunt, but live in an area where a lot of hunting takes place.

Seasonal Hunting Safety

In some areas, especially heavily forested areas, seasonal hunting safety is something that you should always keep in mind. As many hunters are out in force during specific hunting seasons, you should always make certain that you are wearing bright, easily seen clothing so that hunters can easily identify that you are not a deer or another type of animal that they are hunting for. This applies whether or not you are a hunter, and especially if you are not on your own property. When hunting, you should always have permission from the land owners to hunt on their property, so that you will not be in an area where there are likely to be children or individuals that could be accidentally shot by either gun or arrow.

If you keep all of these things in mind, you should be able to go hunting without putting yourself or others at risk of injury or death. If you live in an area where hunting is popular, knowing hunting safety rules can protect you as well, as knowledge is protection when it comes to weapons of any kind.

About The Author

Rebecca Blain is a professional and hobbyist writer who enjoys taking care of her Siamese Fighting Fish and educating people about discount hunting supplies which can be read about here:

http://www.discount-hunting-supplies-and-tips.com

Facts about hunting with an atlatl

By The Associated Press

The Pennsylvania Game Commission may soon consider whether to legalize hunting with an atlatl, a prehistoric weapon. Some questions and answers about the weapon:

What is an atlatl?

The atlatl itself is a wooden piece, about 2 feet long, used as leverage to propel a hunting dart. The darts are arrow-like and can up be up to 8 feet long.

How's it pronounced?

AT-lad-ul, although AT-ul-AT-ul is often used.

Was it used by prehistoric man in Pennsylvania?

Archaeological digs have produced evidence that atlatl use in the state goes back some 8,000 years.

What about elsewhere?

Spanish conquistadors said they feared its use by the Aztecs, and some believe the atlatls may have contributed to the extinction of the woolly mammoth.

Are they legal elsewhere?

A handful of states allow it for hunting or fishing.

How much do they cost?

A leading manufacturer will sell a production-model atlatl and five darts for $140.

**********************

I really wonder why anyone would want to hunt with one of those...

Adam
The Hunting Blog Guy

Permits to Be Given For Hunting Wild Hogs

By Tom Palmer
The Ledger

LAKE WALES, FL -- Thirty hunting parties will get a chance next month to match their wits against a persistent pest that has roamed Florida's wilds for hundreds of years.

And they will help to protect public lands in the process.

The hunt for wild hogs at Polk County's Sumica environmental lands tract east of Lake Wales will be Dec. 16-17.

To join the hunt, you must apply in person between 7 and 7:30 a.m. Nov. 16 at the Polk County Natural Resource Division Office off Bomber Road.

The hog hunt is an attempt to reduce damage to habitat and other wildlife at the 4,031-acre site on State Road 60 that stretches south to the northern shore of Lake Walk-in-the-Water.

Hogs cause great damage by rooting with their broad snouts, leaving large areas that look like plowed fields. An estimated 500,000 wild hogs inhabit Florida and have been found in all 67 counties.

County officials will issue up to 30 permits. Permits may be used for a single party consisting of one or two hunters. An adult may have up to three children younger than the age of 16 registered under a permit.

Hunters are also required to have all other necessary permits and licenses, including a valid Florida hunting license. Shotguns, muzzle loaders or primitive weapons are the only weapons permitted during this hunt. No dogs will be permitted.

Information on the hunt may also be downloaded from the Polk County Web site at www.polk-county.net. Under "How can we help you?" click on Environmental Lands and follow links to Hog Hunt information.

For more information, call Polk County Natural Resources at 863-534-7377.