Vermonters gear up for bow, rifle hunting season

By Matthew Anderson
Norwich Guidon Staff Writer

Oct. 5 marked the beginning of Vermont's archery season, and experts and novices alike are gearing up for the deer season ahead.

"I love bow hunting, because with one wrong move it's, like, game over," said Steven Wendell Morse Jr., 25, a senior criminal justice major from Lewiston, Maine.

According to a report on Vermont's 2001 deer hunting seasons at www.anr.state.vt.us/fw/fwhome/pdf/2001deerrept.pdf, the "archery harvest of 3642 represents a 20% decrease from [2000's] total of 4523. Losses to the winter of 2001 and well distributed apples and acorns combined to make deer movement patterns for the estimated 30,450 archer hunters difficult to predict."

One of the key factors that will affect this hunting season's outcome was the extremely mild winter we had last year.

"A mild winter last year provided sufficient food for this year's antler growth," said Matthew Meehan, 21, a junior criminal justice major from Stanhope, N.J.

There are hunters of every level of experience at Norwich University.

Kevin Sheridan is starting his first deer season this year, while Morse has 20 years of experience.

"I am excited about going out on the weekends with my buddies and hopefully harvesting a deer," said Sheridan, 22, a junior political science and English major from Glastonbury, Conn.

The harsh winter of 2000 and the high number of predators that lurk the mountains of Vermont may affect this year's deer season.

"The winter of 2000 produced deep snow which allowed for high deer kills from coyotes," said Tony Marineau, night supervisor at The Mill Snack Bar at Norwich.

The report on Vermont's 2001 deer season cites that year as "one of the most discouraging deer seasons in recent times," and attributes that to last year's uncharacteristic Vermont winter.

"Record snowfalls in March and April pushed the winter severity index to a statewide average of 72 points. This is greater than the long-term average and led to an estimated population decline of 15 percent due to winter mortality," according to the website.

All these factors don't add up to discouragement for Norwich hunters.

"The adrenaline rush achieved when looking down the barrel of his .270 Winchester at a large buck does it for me," said Tyson Kinney, 19, a sophomore architecture major from Bennington, Vt.

"I love riding around Northfield looking at all the big bucks that were harvested during the day," said Mark Winker, 22, a senior communications major from Brentwood, Tenn.

Others enjoy hunting for more peaceful reasons.

"I love the outdoors, hiking and seeing nature and the wildlife," said Marineau.

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