However, individuals being injured while in the line of fire continues to be a concern, as well as accidental discharges of firearms. If you're out of shape, don't push yourself to the limit. Recognize your physical limitations and adhere to them to ensure your hunt is enjoyable, not life-threatening. All successful deer hunters must fill out their harvest tag and attach it to the deer's ear before moving the animal. Hunters are also reminded to mail their harvest report card within 10 days after taking a deer.
Deer management improves every time a hunter sends in a report card.
In addition, both the ear tag and harvest report card require the hunter to include the Deer Management Unit where the harvest took place. Hunters interested in donating venison to needy through the Hunters Sharing the Harvest program should make donations to participating butchers and meat processors. Now in its eighth year, the HSH program, which is supported by the Game Commission, expects hunters to donate upwards of 80,000 pounds of venison in the upcoming hunting seasons. All but one field officer rated hunting prospects as good to excellent. Mercer County WCO Don Chaybin also recommended hunting wetlands, and heavy cover adjacent to agricultural areas.