Since the archery deer hunting season kicked off this past Saturday in WMUs 2B, 5C and 5D, the remainder of the stateÕs season gets underway this Saturday (Oct. 5) and runs until Nov. 16. It reopens again from Dec. 26-Jan. 20, 2020.

Bowhunters should not have a problem finding deer this season as they seem to be everywhere, even places youÕd least expect them to be. A few weeks ago I was rounding the cloverleaf at Route 191 off Route 22 and standing there amidst the heavy traffic were two doe. One was nonchalantly nibbling on grass while the other was keeping an eye out for trouble.

Then there are other populated places that are holding deer in Lehigh County. It appears wherever there are small woodlots, youÕll likely find deer. ThereÕs even a few deer on the small islands in portions of the Lehigh River.

But it stands to reason as a proliferation of new homes and warehouses are pushing them from their usual haunts. So theyÕre forced to adapt to the cover at hand. The exception being the vast lands of GEO Chemical Company (Trojan Powder) in South Whitehall and Whitehall townships.

In fact, a friend who lives in the apartments and townhouses facing the county-owned park along Mauch Chunk Road, customarily seeÕs deer strolling his street in early morning hours. A nice herd also inhabit the wooded area above the former Apple Hill Ski Area off Kernsville Road. And at sunset at least a half-dozen deer can be seen grazing in the fields adjacent to the new Parkland school being built off Schantz Road in Upper Macungie Township.

But places like this is where bowhunters have the advantage over gun hunters. Firearm hunters cannot safely or legally hunt these small woodlots that are close to housing or commercial buildings.

The other archery factor is, no one can hear it happening. This was told to me years ago by a land owner in Upper Bucks County who granted deer hunting permission only to bowhunters, as she didnÕt want to hear shots.

If you donÕt have a place to hunt, keep in mind the County of Lehigh, thanks to former county executive Don Cunningham, has a parcel of wooded land on Lehnert Road in Scherersville that is posted for bowhunting only. ThereÕs also sections of the Trexler Zoo (Trexler Game Preserve) that is also posted for bowhunting only. And some tracts adjacent to Leaser Lake are huntable.

Of course thereÕs always State Game Lands #205 in Lowhill Township, off Route 100, and SGL #217 along the Blue Mountain, both in Lehigh County.

In Northampton County, its SGL #168 also along the Blue Mountain ridge which is larger length wise than in Lehigh County.

If you do hunt on game lands with a tree stand or blind, keep in mind that youÕll need to mark them with an equipment identification number obtained from the PGC, or mark it with your full name and address that may include a valid PGC Customer Identification Number (CID) that is issued with your hunting license.

During the 2018-19 archery deer hunting season, the following antlered (A) and antlerless (AL) deer were taken in four bordering WMU areas:

3D: 1,660 (A), 1,140 (AL); 4C: 2,350 (A), 1,900 (AL); 5C: 4,690 (A), 5,401 (AL); and 5D: 2,080 (A), 3,790 (AL).

If youÕre lucky enough to connect with a deer, donÕt forget to send in (or call in) your deer harvest report.