Rifle Season in Garrett County

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  • ktm rider

    Active Member
    Feb 21, 2011
    748
    Undisclosed and Secure
    So I have hunted our farm on Savage Mountain pretty close to every single rifle season, the first day especially, since 1982. Barring the two years I spent deployed in the early 1990's.

    Every single opening day in the 80's , 90's and early 2000's it sounded like an absolute battlefield. There were literally hundreds of shots. Even a few days to a week into rifle season I would hear a lot of shot, especially the hour or so before dark until dusk.
    Now, fast forward to this year ( and the last 5 years for that matter) I am hearing less and less shots. Two nights ago( Saturday) it was prime hunting conditions, overcast with zero wind and a skiff of snow which had seeing movement much better. From 3:30pm to 5:15pm I heard exactly two shots. that's it !
    However, every year the State will come out with their harvest numbers and claim the numbers are either a record harvest or close to a record harvest. I just don't see it. anyone else concerned about this lack of hunting and or lack of deer ? :sad20:
     

    DutchV

    Ultimate Member
    Jul 8, 2012
    4,702
    I bet some guys are getting their deer during bow (now crossbow) season.
     

    rouchna

    Defund the ATF
    MDS Supporter
    Nov 25, 2009
    5,951
    Virginia
    So I have hunted our farm on Savage Mountain pretty close to every single rifle season, the first day especially, since 1982. Barring the two years I spent deployed in the early 1990's.

    Every single opening day in the 80's , 90's and early 2000's it sounded like an absolute battlefield. There were literally hundreds of shots. Even a few days to a week into rifle season I would hear a lot of shot, especially the hour or so before dark until dusk.
    Now, fast forward to this year ( and the last 5 years for that matter) I am hearing less and less shots. Two nights ago( Saturday) it was prime hunting conditions, overcast with zero wind and a skiff of snow which had seeing movement much better. From 3:30pm to 5:15pm I heard exactly two shots. that's it !
    However, every year the State will come out with their harvest numbers and claim the numbers are either a record harvest or close to a record harvest. I just don't see it. anyone else concerned about this lack of hunting and or lack of deer ? :sad20:

    I hunt in Springfield, WV. Prime conditions as you described. I saw 2 Does the entire 4 days I was out there. Not sure what the hell is going on but this was a first for me.
     

    Pale Ryder

    Ultimate Member
    Jan 12, 2009
    6,234
    Millersville
    Yup, crossbow season. I follow a couple hunting groups and quite a few have taken up the crossbow in place of firearms. This season seems either hit or miss on deer seen or shot. Will have to see how numbers pan out.
     

    Ironnewt

    Ultimate Member
    Aug 24, 2012
    1,416
    Harford County
    A couple of ideas : Fewer hunters overall ; as previously mentioned, hunters getting kills with bow or black powder; guys having to hunt where and when they can, just not when you were there.
     

    Park ranger

    Ultimate Member
    Dec 6, 2015
    2,315
    Remember, season used to be one week long. Once they changed it to two weeks, the pressure really dropped off.
     

    CombatAK

    Hooligan #12
    Sep 1, 2015
    1,156
    Cresaptown
    I was speaking to one of our DNRP's yesterday and he said that there were fewer hunters in Garrett and Allegany county this year. There are plenty of deer though, our clubs cameras are full of them.
     

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