Change in archery schedule could offer benefits
Those of us who live in Wildlife Management Zone 2-B should be starting to think about the upcoming archery season. Unlike any other management zone in Western Pennsylvania, the season begins Sept. 19 and runs through Nov. 14.
The big change this year is both the antlered and antlerless deer are legal with proper license. I was discussing this early hunting season with a neighbor, Jake McEwen, and thought this creates a possibility of taking a big buck under slightly different circumstances. I found, over the years, deer habits change around this time of year for a couple of reasons.
First and foremost is the beginning of pre-rut activity. By this time, the antlers hardened and the dried external blood vessels sloughed away.
While still in the velvet, the antlers are sensitive and may cause the buck to avoid hitting them against undergrowth. They are dry and hard now, so this problem is gone. The pecking order is being or was already established and that trophy buck is now the boss over his local comrades.
The changes in the male deer takes place starting at the same time as the beginning of the archery season.
Over my many years of watching bucks with my late wife, Eileen, I noted a buck that was regular to my viewing area is now absent.
Instead, I started seeing strangers who weren’t present before. Why?
It is nothing more than opinion, but I believe it is brought about by the other factor that affects deer in the fall – the change in available food.
Most of the corn is harvested by early October and is replaced by mast and still-green alfalfa and clover. Many apple trees are dropping fruit and crabapples are bearing deer feed.
When the food supply changes, deer go where it can be found. With such an early start to the season in 2-B, perhaps some of the corn will still be standing and the deer may retain their summer dinner habits.
I know I am just speculating but it seems to make sense to this old deer hunter. While late in the archery season has always been the best part during the rut, maybe now the early part maybe equally as attractive because of the food.
• Fall is muskie time. The biggest muskie are brought to net during the frosty days of fall.
While we live in an area with little in the way of top muskie waters, one of the best in Western Pennsylvania is Lake Arthur in Butler County.
It’s really not much of a drive to reach this large lake. Take Interstate 79 north about 50 miles. Most of these toothy fish will be caught by trolling large plugs or spinners.
John Dino and I hooked muskie by trolling Hot and Tots while fishing for walleye.
Another fish that can be hooked in Arthur are striped bass that grow to huge size and just might strike the lure towed behind your boat.
Other waters that hold muskie and are close to home are the Monongahela River and Dunkard Creek, which flows through both West Virginia and Pennsylvania and empties into the Monongahela.
Dunkard was one of the best muskie waters around until it was polluted by mining. This was one of fishing’s best-kept secrets and a handful of anglers caught muskie from Dunkard on a regular basis.
Dunkard might no longer be a muskie hotspot but a little north, Ten Mile Creek also holds this giant fish. Of course, the best water on Ten Mile is near the mouth just south of Fredericktown.
While most think of fall as hunting season, there is still time for good fishing.
George H. Block writes a Sunday Outdoors column for the Observer-Reporter.