Reminder: DFW Meeting on Expanded Season
Massachusetts
Contributors to this thread:
Tuesday at 7PM at the DFW Office in Westborough. They will be holding a meeting to discuss the extended season for archers in z10-14.
1 Rabbit Hill Road, Westborough, MA 01581
See you there!
Anyone know when an actual verdict will be rendered on this?
I'll be there! Trying to bring as many people as possible.
I'm hoping to make it. The earlier data I couldnt, this one I have a shot...
It's a done deal according to 1 member of the board. Would be surprised if it doesn't pass.
I was planning to go, but decided to submit comments via email, instead. I wish they'd held the meeting down here in our part of the state. But... I digress.
In my comments - which you guys may disagree with - I said I'd prefer they add a Late Archery Season by allowing only bowhunting for deer in the month of January. I cited two reasons for my opinion. 1) Adding to the season by opening it earlier will mean our additional time in the woods will be when a lot of non-hunters also spend time in the woods. It would be safer in January when fewer people are out walking around, and there would be fewer hunts disrupted by those encounters. 2) Those who would hunt in January are more likely to be more "serious" hunters who are willing to deal with the discomforts of the weather in January versus more comfortable weather in early October.
I finished my comments by saying I know the only thing under consideration is the proposal to open the season earlier, and stated my support for it.
I also asked that they consider changing the law on the distance an archer has to be from an occupied dwelling when releasing an arrow from 500 feet to 250 feet. One of the reasons the deer herd is growing in southeastern Massachusetts is the ongoing and widespread property development that ends up creating no hunting zones due to the 500 foot requirement.
Thumbs up on a late winter season. All for it as opposed to an early start. Also, I’d support a setback of 100 feet, 50 with homeowners permission, for archery. Suburban hunting demands it.
Jimbo, Good points. I would prefer January over October for all the reasons you stated. One other point to consider along with January is that maybe it should be Antlered Deer only, leaving pregnant does and bucks that have dropped for next season. The State most likely wants does taken to reduce the breeding potential. Just a thought, Let's Go
BC, I'm pretty sure if you have landowner permission you could hunt from the roof if you wanted to. As long as you're 500 from the neighbors.
Moons... do you have a roof stand? Come on... tell the truth.
:o)
I agree with you Jimbo, I also would prefer they extend it later vs earlier, makes a ton of sense and I love hunting late season, the deer are far easier to pattern with the snow on the ground.
How'd it go guys? I thought for sure I'd be there, but got held up at work alot later than I expected.
Kid stuff kept me away as well. I saw a very positive review of it on the Boston Bowhunter FaceBook site, so that sounds good. It noted a strong turn out and varied turn out of Pro longer season folks.
Boy, that idea of adding it to the end of the season is awesome. Never considered it, but that does make some very good sense!
I'm with all of you, 500 foot set back with a bow is way overkill, that would be AWESOME to see change.
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