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1998 FALL BOW SEASON OPENING DAY HARVEST ESTIMATE

October 21, 1998

For more information contact:
Daniel Ferrigno at 609-259-8692

According to the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection's Division of Fish, Game and Wildlife, an estimated 2,145 white-tailed deer were harvested statewide during the opening day of the 1998 Fall Bow Season on October 3. This preliminary harvest estimate was based on a recent sampling of deer check stations throughout the state and represents a 21-percent increase from last year's record opening day harvest of 1,767 deer.

The total is the third highest opening day harvest in the 48-year history of New Jersey's fall bow season. Weather conditions and the continuation of the bonus tag program in most zones played a role in the increased harvest.

Results varied by region with the highest increase occurring in the north, followed by central, then south. Bow hunters in north Jersey registered 31-percent more deer than the previous year, while the central and southern regions experienced more moderate increases of 13 and 9-percent, respectively.

This harvest estimate was based on a comprehensive telephone survey of 81 deer check stations. In the past, this type of estimate has been extremely accurate. For example, last year's harvest estimate for the opening day of fall bow season was 1,781 deer and the actual harvest was 1,767.

A summary of recent opening day harvests follows:

Year

Harvest

Hunting conditions

1998

2,145*

Overcast, breezy & cool w/late afternoon drizzle

1997

1,767

warm & sunny, highs in the mid to upper 70s

1996

2,555

excellent weather, cool & mostly sunny

1995

2,517

excellent weather, cool & partly sunny

1994

1,148

fair weather, light rain, light winds

1993

1,508

excellent weather, breezy

1992

804

rainy then clearing

1991

1,640

excellent weather

1990

1,019

mild weather

1989

1,388

good weather

1988

989

good weather

1987

1,230

excellent weather

1986

633

poor, rainy weather

*estimate

The fall bow season not only provides recreation to approximately 50,000 bow hunters, but also contributes to deer population management because it allows for the taking of antlerless deer. By harvesting a sufficient number of antlerless deer in each zone, populations are maintained in a healthy condition and at levels that minimize conflicts between deer and people. This is particularly important in areas with a high incidence of agricultural damage and deer-vehicle collisions. Overall, the Division's population management objectives are designed to reduce deer populations on 71 percent of the range, stabilize populations on 26 percent and allow for small increases in deer populations on only three percent. Zones where deer populations will be allowed to increase contain mostly public lands with little agriculture and minimal potential for deer-human conflicts.