This summer Adams County deer grew healthy on a diet of soybeans.
Adams County gun hunting
season starts Monday
The People's Defender
Adams County's unofficial holiday, - Ohio's deer gun season - begins Monday and lasts through Dec. 6. Last season, Adams County deer hunters, including both gun and bow, bagged a total of 4,231 deer. That is a modest increase of 260 deer from the 2007 season. Hunters can again expect to see a slight increase in the overall deer harvest in the county with an estimated 4,300 deer taken by the time bow season closes on Feb. 7.
Last season Highland County led southwest Ohio, District 5, in the number of deer tagged during the week long gun season with 1,694 deer, followed closely by Brown County with 1,643 deer. Adams County was third in the district with 1,333 deer tagged during the '08 deer gun season.
"From a tourism standpoint, this season is among the top two or three biggest events in Adams County in terms of revenue," said Tom Cross on Monday. Cross, director of the Adams County Travel and Visitors Bureau, says this coming week has a major impact on Adams County's economy.
"You can't get a hotel room here from the middle of October to the middle of December," he said. "It is huge. And it isn't just hotels, restaurants and outfitters and other businesses benefit greatly from the hunters coming into our county," Cross said.
Cross pointed out that Adams County has a large amount of public land, "We are lucky in that regard," and that hunting in Adams County gets bigger and bigger each year.
"Adams County may be the number one locacation in southern Ohio for deer hunting, and maybe number one in the state for hunters seeking record-book bucks,"
According to Todd Haines, District 5 supervisor, Ohio's deer herd is estimated at 650,000 deer. Haines expects a statewide deer harvest of between 115,000 to 125,000 deer. 420,000 hunters are expected to take to the woods on this opening day of deer gun season.
"Adams County hunters have number of good hunting opportunities," said Haines. "Tranquility is always a fantastic place to hunt deer. While Brush Creek and Shawnee State Forest offer hunters a chance to get away from everybody and hunt more secluded areas. Another good place is the Scioto Land Company tracts near Mineral Springs."
Hunters in Zone C, which includes Adams County, are allowed to take up to six deer, only one of which can be antlered. Hunters may opt to purchase up to three special $15.00 antlerless permits by November 29. Those special reduced price permits are valid until Dec. 6. Regular price antlerless permits, costing $24.00, are valid until Feb. 7.
Thus far in Adams County bow hunters have tagged in 785 deer compared to last (2008) season's 727 deer. Statewide the bowhunting harvest stands at 53,959 deer during the first six weeks of archery season representing a 4 percent increase over last season.
The Division of Wildlife has set up special extended hour's hotline from Nov. 21 through December for individuals seeking information on deer season or to report wildlife violations. By calling 1-800-WILDLIFE (945-3543) the staff will be able to answer calls concerning deer season "Deer gun season is the most popular period for Ohio hunters," said David Graham, chief of the Division of Wildlife. "We encourage hunters to call us with any questions that may arise."
If hunters would like to donate a deer to feed the hungry, Farmers & Hunters Feeding the Hungry (FHFH) have a program in place that covers the cost of processing. Successful hunters can drop off a donated deer to a participating processor at no cost to themselves and that deer will be processed with the meat going to local food banks and homeless shelters. The nearest participating processor is Manning Packing Company at 100 College Ave., Sardinia, ph 937-446-3278.
"Above all we want hunters to have a safe hunt and to always be on alert when hunting," said Haines. "Wear the required hunter orange and when shooting always make sure of a safe background and know where you gun is pointed at all times."
Hunters have an additional weekend of deer gun season Dec. 19-20. The late season statewide muzzleloader hunt has been moved to Jan. 9-12. Archery season continues through Feb 7.
Deer check stations in Adams County are...
Knauff's Grocery in Blue Creek - 937-544-5147
Seaman Farm, Garden & Pet Center in Seaman - 937-386-2134
Harover's East End Carryout in Manchester - 937-549-3414
Cabin Fever in Peebles - 937-587-1100
Brush Creek Meats on Wheat Ridge - 937-544-2592
The Adams County Department Store in West Union - 937-544-2913
For local deer processing...
Brush Creek Meats on Wheat Ridge - 937-544-2529
Roush Deer Processing near West Union - 937-544-5124
Schmucker Deer Processing near Wheat Ridge - 937-386-0260
