Suburban Wildlife Management

and

The Bowhunting Solution

Presented By:-Bowhunters Wildlife Management

Association of New Hampshire

Founded in 1996 to assist landowners and wildlife professionals provide for a balance between wildlife, landowners, biologists and hunters.

BWMANH is a New Hampshire registered non-profit organization utilizing the expertise of individuals from the hunting public which meet or exceed criteria established more than 20 years ago.

The purpose of our organization is to successfully contribute, through Bowhunting*, to the management of wildlife populations in areas that would otherwise be closed to hunting. We do not however consider ourselves an "elite" hunting group.

Bowhunting in suburban areas can be difficult and sensitive. We pride ourselves in having good skills and discipline, as well as a capacity for hard work, dedication and responsibility. We take our relationship with landowners very seriously. We also make every effort to serve the community in ways other than wildlife reduction, ie; Adopt-A-Highway, Barry Conservation Camperships in connection with 4-H, Certified Hunter Safety Training Instructors, Certified Bowhunter Safety Training Instructors, PTO Youth Training, NRA Eddie Eagle Program, Boy Scouts of America.

Our members are asked to abide by a strict set of rules and regulations formulated with the special needs of suburban Bowhunting in mind. Because of these restrictions, our organization is not for everyone. Please keep in mind that we are looking for "team players" and responsible individuals. We want to give people, non-hunters as well as fellow hunters, to have a positive impression of Bowhunting and bowhunters as a management tool. Program participants also must be certified in Bowhunter education through the National Bowhunter Education Foundation.

"Our goal is to promote hunters as conservationists."

Typical representation of suburban deer.

Populated areas of New Hampshire where human habitation prevents or limits the use of firearms for hunting creates an overpopulation of deer, resulting in: destruction of habitat, and increased human/deer contact in adverse ways, endangering human life, health and property.

* Firearm services optional based on landowner discretion.

Facts about Deer

• Deer can live up to 11 years.
• Food types include grasses, shrubs, leaves, needles and "mast" from oak, beech and apple trees.
• In areas of overpopulation, deer can cause an "over browsing" affect which destroys most plant species up to six feet destroying the forest renewal process. Gardens, plants, and shrubs can also be destroyed.
• Deer establish a territory and will not leave it.
• Deer are known to starve or drown rather than leave their domain.
• Two deer without predation can produce up to a herd of 35 in just 7 years.
• Deer require 10-12 pounds of food each day most of the year.
• In late winter their diet is supplemented by their stored fat.
• When deer run out of stored fat and available browse they start to metabolize their bone marrow and starvation is eminent.

ATTEMPTED CONTROL METHODS

Attempts to manage deer through repellants, fencing, relocation and birth control have proven unsuccessful. Deer adapt to repellents, and find ways around/through fences. Relocation causes 80% death rate due to shock; and birth control attempts have been unsuccessful.

Non-lethal methods to reduce deer numbers or slow population growth in suburban and urban areas are being sought. Chemical and immunosterilants probably will become available in the next 3-5 years, but the problem of inoculating large numbers of deer remains. Silastic implants and direct intramuscular injections are neither economical nor efficient.

Containing treated deer can still remain to be the insurmountable problem. Attempts to gain FDA approval on sterilants apply to free ranging animals may yet be in the far distance future.

HUNTING FACTS

Hunting provides immediate population reduction. It closely resembles and is part of natural predation. Deer are removed in more or less random fashion with no age or sex group being targeted in overpopulated areas, more does need to be removed; hence extra doe permits may be required and appropriate. This keeps the herd diverse and viable and at a size which is compatible to the carrying capacity of the habitat, and within human tolerance level. Hunting allows for more beneficial use of the resource. Most hunters eat what they kill or give it away to others who do. The New Hampshire Food Bank welcomes the generous gifts of deer meat (venison) to be distributed throughout soup kitchens or to feed the needy programs.

THE BOWHUNTING SOLUTION

• Bowhunting is a low profile method of managing deer herd numbers.
• The average shot is less than 20 yards or 60 feet.
• A safe and effective way to hunt in heavily populated area's close to houses, farms and roads.
• Bows and bowhunters are quiet and unobtrusive; not disturbing inhabitants of the area.
• Bows in use today are extremely effective and will shoot a razor sharp broadhead tipped arrow completely through a deer causing massive and immediate hemorrhaging.
• The resulting blood loss causes dulling of thesenses and death is painless and swift.
• If a deer is wounded it immediately secrets hormones (endorphins) from the brain which dull pain and promote rapid healing.
• These same endorphins allow an injured deer to recover quickly from the clean cutting wound of a broadhead.
• A scientific study "Aspects of wounding of White Tailed Deer by Bowhunters" written by Wendy J. Krueger in 1995 revealed that less than 13% of bow shot deer are not recovered (many of these deer survive their wounds).
• Bowhunting is a popular and challenging method of hunting with the emphasis on hunting. Bowhunting is recognized by the F&W departments throughout the United States as a sound game management tool.

BWMANH teaches and supports ethical bowhunting behavior. Our members pledge to uphold and obey the laws of the State of New Hampshire, to hunt in an ethical and safe manner and respect landowners. When you permit members of BWMANH to hunt on your land, you will host good citizens and concerned bowhunters, who will respect you, your property and the game they hunt. If you think bowhunting can be a viable solution to your deer management problem please contact BWMANH We will have a local member of BWMANH meet with you and work on a bowhunting solution to your problem.

 WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT PROGRAM - Outline

MISSION

ORGANIZATION

EDUCATION

COMMUNICATlON

1. SCREENING OF HUNTERS

A. Experience - Application

B. NBEF - Bowhunter Education Certified

C. Proficiency Testing

2. ORGANIZED INTO GROUPS AND AREAS

A. Group Leaders

B. Designated Areas

3. TAlLOR EACH SITUATION TO THE NEEDS OF THE LANDOWNER

4. EDUCATION

A. The Nature of Bowhunting

B. Special Rules and Regulations

5. SAFETY AND WOUNDING LOSSES

6. BOWHUNTERS AND COMMUNlTY

A. Meat Donations

B. Meat to Landowners

C. Landowners Take Back Control

D. Community Service

BWMANH GROUP LEADER GUIDELINES

1. Group leaders are responsible for encouraging the harvesting of as many of the designated species as possible from each given property. (Your Town) is the primary focus for the 97-98 season. Every hunter should have at least one stand on the island. Please make sure they put time into the island and remove the designated species.  

2. It is your responsibility to make sure each ladder type treestand is placed on a signed (permission slip) property a safe distance away from any unsigned home owners.  

3. Sign (permission slip) those properties assigned to you. Establish and maintain a friendly relationship with property owners. Communicate with them throughout the year. Offer to post, give meat or provide other services.  

4. The hunters on your team are to report to you on a weekly basis and provide you with the following information:  

a. Time afield  

b. Wildlife movement  

c. Any problems (ie; trespassers or anti-hunters)  

d. Animal harvest report  

Hunt each stand at least once a week.  

Hunters not able to spend time afield may need to be replaced or moved.  

5. You must keep accurate records of harvest reports including:  

a. date  

b. hunter's name  

c. location  

d. Animal sex  

Also keep written records of all trespassers and vehicle ID.  

A copy of all records should be turned in at the end of each season.  

6. Hunters that are not productive for what ever reason may ask his group leader to be switched to another stand or to another group. This can only be done when all group leaders involved agree and with the permission of .  

7. Help your team members to be productive. Communication is the key to a fun and productive program.  

8. Remind your hunters to mail harvest report cards.  

9. Grievances within a group should be worked out by the group leader. However, if problems can not be worked out, shall act as mediator and his decision will be final.

PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS

 I. ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

 All participants are required to:

 A. Be a dues paying member of BWMANH ($25.00 for 1998)

 B. Licensed Bowhunter in the State of New Hampshire.

 C. Have completed a NBEF. Bowhunter safety course to include certification

 D. Pass a proficiency test: Three arrows will be shot from 10, l 5 and 20 yards from an ladder tree stand (minimum 10'). All arrows must score in the heart lung area of a 3-D deer target.

 E. Provide information/documentation of having successfully harvested a minimum of

three (3) big game animals with a bow.

F. The Game Management Committee will have the final say as to who participates.

 II. REGISTRATION

 Completed Registration includes:

A. Vehicle year, make, model, color, license plate number.

B. Archery Hunting License number.

C. Address and phone number.

D. Meet safety and proficiency requirements.

E. Photocopy of National Bowhunter Education certification card.

 

III. RULES AND REGULATIONS

• A. Park only in designated areas.
• B. Treat everyone you meet with courtesy and respect.
• C. Do not litter.
• D. Remove all entrails from the woods.
• E. Animals may not be visible when being transported.
• F. Game law violations will not be tolerated.
• G. Hunting Monday - Friday ONLY and only in designated/permitted areas.
• H. Report all harvested animals to your group leader.
• I. Antlered deer may be harvested only after antlerless deer has been harvested.
• J. An Hunter Orange Hat or Vest MUST be worn when entering or leaving the woods.
• K. You must be in your stand at least one half hour before legal shooting time in the morning and, at least one hour before legal shooting time ends in the evening.
• L. Use a safety harness at all times when hunting, straps or belts are unacceptable.
• M. There will be no still hunting, stalking, blind hunting or any other type of ground hunting.
• N. Each participant will be assigned at least one stand location. You may hunt another person's stand only with their permission and with the consent of the area group leader.
• O. Stand locations may not be moved without the consent of the area group leader.
• P. Only portable ladder tree stands may be used. (minimum 10')
• Q. Carry all permits, permission forms and I. D. (such as a driver's license) when hunting.
• R. Report all violations of the above rules and regulations to your group leader.
• S. The BWMANH Game Management Committee will review any and all violations of either BWMANH rules or state game law violations within 72 hours of the violation. All decisions of the Committee will be final and without appeal.

Application For Enrollment

E-Mail = BWMANH@capitolcopy.com - Thank You

E-Mail us for an Application Form Today!!!

Other Sites Of Interest

• Suburban Wildlife Management of Northern Virginia

603-286-3933 or 603-267-6449 - Fax 603-226-0203

e-mail: BWMANH@capitolcopy.com

Bowhunters Wildlife Management Association

of New Hampshire

119 Ayers Road - Canterbury, NH 03224