For more hunting opportunities, try expanding your horizon

My article from today's issue of The News Journal

HUNTER'S JOURNAL • By STEVEN KENDUS • June 4, 2009

I frequently ask local hunters if they hunt anywhere other than Delaware, and I am usually surprised by their responses.
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In most cases, Delaware hunters rarely venture beyond the state's borders, and even fewer have pursued game in other countries.

While Delaware offers plenty of hunting opportunities, I encourage Delaware residents who limit their hunts to the fields, forests and waterways of Delaware's three counties to expand their hunting horizons.

For Delaware hunters interested in new hunting opportunities that are nearby and that won't break the bank, consider hunting sika deer on Maryland's lower Eastern Shore, black bears in western Maryland or Pennsylvania, ruffed grouse in northern Pennsylvania, or wild turkeys and coyotes in New Jersey.

As with Delaware, neighboring states have specific rules and regulations that govern their hunting seasons, and in some cases necessary permits can only be obtained by state-run lotteries. These formalities should not deter interested hunters. Lottery permits are frequently issued to out-of-state hunters, and even if hunters are not selected in species-specific permit lotteries, plenty of public-land hunting opportunities exist.

Think of hunting licenses for neighboring states as insurance policies that protect against getting "skunked" in Delaware. A public-land deer hunter in Delaware, for example, knows how difficult it is to get his "perfect spot" for the Delaware shotgun season. Rather than limiting his deer hunting to his few available public spots and days in Delaware, he can take a quick drive to another hot spot in one of our neighboring states. Chances of a successful harvest are greater because the time spent in the woods is increased (no matter what state the woods are in).

The hunting seasons in neighboring states frequently do not run concurrently with Delaware seasons, so hunters can gain additional hunting opportunities with each license purchased.

Delaware hunters looking for more exotic hunting excursions should turn to reputable outfitters and travel agents who can book hunts for everything from alligators in North America to zebras in Africa. Many of these "once-in-a-lifetime" hunting trips are actually more affordable than many people realize.

Adequate research will find hunting trips that meet all budgets, and many destinations are family friendly. When booking hunting excursions, careful planning is necessary.

Hunters should always talk with outfitters' references before finalizing a deal, and they should understand all related expenses, such as airfare, lodging, licenses, firearms permits, trophy fees, taxidermy and shipping.