“But still, even though they are considered primitive weapons, today’s bows are very effective at ranges not even considered in the past,” he noted.

SPECIAL HUNTS
Besides a healthy population, long season and flexible licensing, bowhunters also have the opportunity to hunt in places restricted to firearms hunters. Many municipalities have firearms discharge restrictions that effectively prohibit all gun hunting. Often these cities and suburbs host special archery hunts to help control the herd flourishing under such plush conditions.

Suburban and exurban areas are full of gardens, wild-game feeders and small pockets of forested areas that provide ample food and cover for deer. These areas are also very limiting to predators and hunters, thus vehicles tend to kill many deer. With such accommodations, does are able to have, and sustain, two to three fawns in many cases. Because human activity in these areas tends to take place during the daylight hours, many of these deer are very nocturnal, which creates an additional challenge for hunters.

However, off the top of his head, Cornicelli could think of a half-dozen special deer hunts offered last year. That included hunts in St. Cloud, Duluth, Red Wing, Ortonville, Appleton, Ramsey County and Anoka County. Many of these special hunts are listed in the big-game hunting regulations booklet, while others are listed on city or county government Web sites. You can also contact city and county wildlife management officials.

“Where those ordinances shut down the land for firearms hunters, bowhunters can do really well in those suburban habitats,” Cornicelli said.

He encouraged bowhunters to also consider speaking with private landowners in these areas as well because many of them would like to see the deer population reduced in their areas.

As for myself, last year I hunted on private land in the middle of the northern suburbs on a 20-acre lot with a busy set of train tracks within 50 yards of my blind. The landowner gave me permission to take any deer that came by, but I was really hoping that I would take a few does to help drop the population in the ‘hood.

If you are looking to take advantage of hunting opportunities in and around metro areas, visit the county seat’s office for the area you hope to hunt, and purchase a plat book. These map books are extremely helpful for identifying private landowners whom hunters can ask for permission to hunt.

“If you know their name and have an idea of the land they own, you are going to have a better chance of getting permission than if you just show up,” said Pete Alfano of the television show “Whitetail Properties.”

Alfano said special hunts are great for hunters, but that private property is a largely untapped resource bowhunters should consider. Scout an area using a topographic map to find some areas you would consider prime deer habitat, and then ask permission from the landowner this winter or next spring. Find out if they will let you do some scouting on the property and, in a perfect world, if they are willing to let you set up a food plot or hang stands early.

“Of course, you need to make sure you are offering them something in return, such as a share of the venison or helping with managing the property,” Alfano added.

Critics of city-, municipality- and county-sponsored hunts have tried a number of ways to restrict these hunts by citing potential problems. Fortunately, very few of these efforts have been successful and, as a result, more local units of government are planning hunts this year and into the future.

“The Rochester hunt last year was extremely quiet, and the city received a lot of inquiries, but never a single complaint, which demonstrates that it can be done in a safe manner,” said Don Nelson, the DNR’s Rochester-area wildlife supervisor.