As the Twin Cities expand, areas that were once considered rural become more suburban, and Permit Area 227 is a prime example. It had the sixth-highest bowhunter harvest in 2006 with 644 deer taken, including 181 bucks, 308 does and 153 fawns.

Rounding out top 10 permit areas were Permit Area 213 in the heart of Minnesota’s farmland/forest transition zone, Permit Area 349 encompassing Houston County, a well-known area with plenty of trophy potential, and Permit Area 157 southeast of Mille Lacs, which is home to high deer densities and terrific habitat.

BOWHUNTER EDUCATION
Many of these special hunts require archers to acquire a special bowhunter education certification either from the DNR or from their own local screening process. Bowhunters are also sometimes asked to demonstrate an effective shooting proficiency at a given distance, and accuracy percentage. As these bowhunting opportunities continue to expand, more and more archers are seeking this special certification to be eligible for the hunts.

The good news about the bowhunter education program is that it is taught by experienced bowhunters, and it has valuable information for anybody of differing archery experience, whether they are new to the sport or have been bowhunting over 20 years, noted Mike Hammer, the DNR’s Division of Enforcement education coordinator.

“It’s targeted at any hunter whether new or lifelong, and while the instructors have great words of wisdom, the experience of the students is also rich,” Hammer said.

At least a dozen states around the country require that non-resident bowhunters have this requirement as well, so anybody planning an out-of-state archery hunt for turkeys or big game should consider obtaining this certificate. States with the requirement are South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, Louisiana, Idaho, Montana, New York, New Jersey, Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine and Alaska.

“It’s not required in Minnesota, and I don’t see a need for it at this time, but it definitely opens up opportunities for hunters and is good for the future of hunting,” Hammer said.

Having an educated population of hunters that is aware of laws, regulations and hunter ethics is important for the image of hunting that anti-hunters often challenge.

“Bowhunters are especially picked on for things like wound loss,” Hammer said. “But if hunters understand their limitations -- learn when to take a shot and when to pass on one -- we can show that we are taking responsibility and understand the seriousness of hunting by giving proper respect to the game and doing things the right way.”

In addition to the bowhunter education program, the DNR also works with the Archery in the Schools Program and Forkhorn Camps sponsored by the Minnesota Deer Hunters Association. All of these programs are exposing archery to a broader range of the public, and helping grow the future of the sport. Anybody interested in these programs either as a student or instructor should go to the DNR’s Web site at www.dnr.state.mn.us and click on “Education and Safety Training.”

Bowhunters are often considered loners in their field, but this year, take someone into the woods with you to see if you can introduce him or her to the sport. A good place to start is with a youth, because the future of hunting is in their hands.