Deer Season Underway, Preseason Bow Care
by Joe Wilkinson

Whether actively hunting or just doing some in season scouting, the woods are getting busy these days. Bow deer hunters have a variety of choices each season; not just 'doe or buck?', but weather conditions ranging from late summer to mid winter. Often the big decision is 'how many days of work to miss?' in pursuit of Iowa's biggest game animal.

With a distinct change in deer behavior coming in the days ahead, some trophy hunters embrace the first couple weeks. "If you are patterning deer, this is an ideal time to take that animal," agrees Willy Suchy, deer research biologist for the Department of Natural Resources. "They are in their late summer patterns and are pretty predictable. A good place is to set up between food sources and bedding areas. In hot, dry weather, locating near water is a good idea, too."

Checking a couple stands and trimming shooting lanes in the last days of September, I counted four scrapes as I worked back out of the woods. In a new stand a week later, I saw only the top of one antlerless head walking through the multiflora rose. It's back to the first location this week.

"It's a very good time to be out now," agrees DNR district wildlife supervisor Jim Jansen. "Some people actually manage for deer; getting some green browse growing out there, which encourages family groups--the does--to hang in there. The bucks will show up, too." Jansen stresses controlling what you can; as far as food sources and setting up downwind, or at least crosswind as deer approach. "Wind is number one. If you can beat the deer's nose, you have a very good chance of getting a shot."

In the days before the peak of the rut, food sources and bedding areas are focal points, especially if you can pin down a common travel corridor. "With that funnel, you can actually force the deer, by natural occurrence of the landscape, to go through a specific spot, where you can set a stand."

As the crops come out and more acorns drop, those feeding patterns will shift. Then, the early days of November arrive. "There is a lot of movement in both does and bucks then. That's when they become unpredictable," admits Jansen. "There's so much activity, you just have to be out there; Still, does are good to target. They have to eat, no matter what time of the year. The bucks will follow."

Don't Forget the Bow

With all the hours you put into scouting, shooting and sitting, it's easy to forget that the most important tool of your hunt is, literally, in the palm of your hand. All your planning and preparation is wasted, if your bow doesn't shoot straight. That compound bow has a lot of parts. And they are exposed to everything from being jammed into a closet for months to rain, snow, dirt and debris by late in the season.

"A lot of times, people don't pay attention to it. They'll get the bow out a couple weeks before the season (expecting everything to work)," said Cory Krull, at Fin & Feather Outdoor Store, in Iowa City. As he talked, he pointed out a hairline crack in the bow he was inspecting. It had been in a closet, with a broken bowstring since last year. "You shouldn't shoot it for three or four years without having someone look at it. (Even) if the string is stretched a little, that will move the nock point and will affect arrow flight." A preseason tune-up can correct problems with the cables, arrow rests and sights.

Krull also pointed out that a well-tuned bow will minimize the difference in flight between field points and broadheads. He suggests practice with broadheads-and outdoors in the wind and other elements--to learn where they will fly.

The tools of the trade have changed in the last decade, too. "Bows are shorter, axle to axle, now. And the limbs are more parallel. That cancels a lot of the vibration (on the release). It keeps the bow stable," offered Kevin Shaw, working alongside Krull. Machined aluminum parts, 'drop away' arrow rests and better quality fiber optics for sights are other improvements he sees.

Simonson, Dorr Shooting Range to be Dedicated

Dedication of the Wendell Simonson and Tim Dorr Shooting Ranges will be held October 15 on the Hawkeye Wildlife Area, near Shueyville. After two years of work and a $150,000 investment, the dozen shotgun stations and 100, 50 and 25-yard pistol/rifle lanes are open for target shooting and for sighting in firearms. The 1 p.m. ceremony will be at the shotgun range along Amana Road SW, three miles west of Highway 965 and Cou Falls Road.

Work on the ranges was capped by an Eagle Scout project, directed by Caleb McDowall of Iowa City. With 20 people logging 172 hours, volunteers secured funding and installation for 12 cement pads and 80 tons of gravel for paths. Volunteers-through McDowall and Boy Scout Troop 250 of Iowa City--helped clean the sites as well and secured engraved commemorative rocks. One is in Simonson's name at the shotgun range, on the south side of Amana Road. The other is in Dorr's name on the rifle lanes, across the road and about 300 yards to the east. The late conservation officers were deeply involved in getting young people outdoors, as well as in conservation and law enforcement.

The revamped rifle range is at the site of the old 'shooting pit' on the Hawkeye Area. "People always left trash out here. Maybe with it clean, they'll treat it with more respect," offered McDowall about picking the shooting sites for his Eagle Project. Future plans include more canopy work and cement work. DNR wildlife biologist Tim Thompson emphasizes that if the area can remain reasonably clean, there will be no need to hire custodial help and charge fees for using the ranges.