New York
The state appeals to youth hunters.
In an effort to increase youth participation, the New York Department of Environmental Conservation will shift the opening day of the general deer season and the early archery season from Monday to Saturday in the southern zone. Also, hunters in the southern zone will have more days for the late archery and muzzleloader season.

Two wildlife management units, 3C and 3J, will fall under a new pilot program that requires hunters to take only bucks with at least three points on one side. This new restriction is designed to improve the age structure of bucks. Hunters under the age of 17 are exempt from the point restrictions.

The number of deer management permits has been reduced in many areas to help increase whitetail numbers, which dipped as a result of two harsh winters in a row. A total of 320,000 DMPs will be available, a 40 percent decrease from last year. Also, hunters will be allowed to take deer of either sex in Units 6A, 6G and 6H during the state's special muzzleloader season.

Pennsylvania
Antlerless permits reduced.
Pennsylvania's controversial deer program, which increased the antlerless harvest and placed point restrictions on virtually the entire state, is still raising doubts among many Keystone State hunters. Last year's deer harvest was down 12 percent from the previous season, and hunters reported seeing fewer deer in the woods than in years past. As a result, the PGC has significantly reduced the number of antlerless permits available from 1,039,00 to 879,000.

Dr. Chris Rosenberry, head of the state's deer program, says the intent of the changes in the deer season was to reduce the number of deer and bring a more natural balance to the age and sex ratio of our deer herd. "Before the changes were implemented, about 20 percent of the bucks harvested were 21?2-year-olds," he says. "Last year about 50 percent of the bucks were 21?2 years old. The changes are having a positive effect."

New Jersey
You still have to earn your buck in this state.
The Earn-A-Buck program will remain as a management tool for "quite a long time," says the state's Carol Kandoth, but starting this year, bowhunters will be able to Bank-A-Doe, as the new program is called.

"Hunters who harvest two antlerless deer during the state's early archery season will be allowed to take a buck during the permit bow season in selected zones," she says.

Last year's total deer kill of 58,564 was down 16 percent from the previous season, a testament to the effectiveness of the mandatory Earn-A-Buck program in which hunters have to kill a doe before they can take an antlered deer.

Virginia
Many proposals await adoption.
The state is considering legalizing crossbows this year during any season in which archery equipment is allowed, but hunters who use them will have to purchase a separate license. Other proposals include a modified Earn-A-Buck program in selected counties. That regulation change won't go into effect until the 2006 season if it's adopted.

"We are proposing that hunters have to shoot a doe before they can take a second buck in selected counties," says the state's Matt Knox. "We don't want to discourage hunters by forcing them to shoot a doe before they can take their first buck in case that first buck is the biggest one they've ever seen, but we need hunters to help thin the deer herd."

Those counties include Bedford, Franklin, Roanoke, Henry, Patrick, Loudoun, Prince William and Fairfax.

Maryland
Doe bag limits way down.
Western Maryland's Allegheny and Garrett counties, Deer Management Region A, will see a reduction in the number of antlerless deer days, a reduction in the antlerless bag limits and the elimination of the three-day antlerless-only muzzleloader season as a result of high doe harvests the previous two seasons. Wildlife managers want to bring deer numbers back up to desired levels in those counties.

Also, bowhunters in Dorchester County will be allowed to hunt on four Sundays--three in October and one in November--this season. The northern Eastern Shore is a potential sleeper spot.

Maine
Buck potential is best in the center of the state.
The state is reducing the number of any-deer permits from 76,150 to 70,725, but that number actually includes an increase in permits in five management districts. Some sections of the state were hit by severe winter weather, and deer numbers fell as a result. Permits will be reduced in 18 districts, including Aroostook County, the northernmost county in the state and one that traditionally gives up good bucks. However, the state's Wally Jakubas points to districts 17 and 23 in the central part of the state as two excellent choices for quality bucks.

Other Highlights
In West Virginia, hunters may be limited to three bucks per season if proposed changes pass, but the state's Panhandle and northernmost counties are still great bets for any deer. For a sleeper whitetail spot this fall, try southern Delaware. If you've ever hunted deer over bait in Vermont and were hoping to again, a proposed a ban on the practice is under consideration.