URBAN BOWHUNTING
In suburban Maryland, natural predators such as mountain lions and wolves that naturally controlled the whitetail deer population have been entirely eliminated. Hunting provides an immediate population reduction that closely resembles natural depredation and can help bring deer populations back into a natural balance with the carrying capacity of the land.
HOW IS IT DONE?
Bowhunters focusing on population control in urban areas use modern archery equipment – compound bows and crossbows – coupled with broadhead arrow tips specially designed to efficiently harvest deer. The bowhunter climbs a tree, using an apparatus called a treestand in an area that has been baited to attract deer. ACDMT has refined this technique over many years to increase the odds of efficient, humane deer harvest.
WHY BOWHUNTING?
Bowhunting is the best method of hunting in suburban areas because archery equipment is very safe to use near homes and because it is completely silent it does not cause neighborhood disturbances. Bowhunting is a sound management tool and has been used for years in public and private areas as well as governmental facilities like Quantico Marine Corps Base and the Beltsville Agricultural Research Center.
“Regulated hunting has proven to be an effective deer population management tool. In addition, it has been shown to be the most efficient and least expensive technique for removing deer and maintaining deer at desired levels.” — An Evaluation of Deer Management Options – Northeast Deer Technical Committee, 2007.
IS BOWHUNTING SAFE?
Bowhunting is one of the safest outdoor activities. In fact, no non-hunter has ever been injured by a bowhunter in the state of Maryland! Statistics show bowhunting has less accidental injuries or death than jogging, bicycling, swimming, boating, or any other outdoor activity and is many times safer than football and baseball. The greatest danger in bowhunting is that a hunter could fall out of their treestand, but all ACDMT members are required to wear a safety harness to minimize that possibility.
There is never any danger to another person or animal that may wander into the area we are hunting. Once a target animal is identified, the bowhunter must carefully wait for deer to move to the bait area where they can make a perfect shot. Shooting at a steep angle from an elevated position means the arrow will stick into the ground, even if we miss our target. We will not take a shot if we notice a pet or another person in the area.
If you have any more concerns about the safety of allowing a bowhunter on your land you can visit the following site provided by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources: Deer Hunting: An Effective Management Tool