Jackson County ranks ninth with 252, and this county traditionally has experienced high deer harvests. From 2003 through 2006, the tallies were 429, 439, 344 and 279, respectively. The lower harvests in recent years have been characteristic of much of the state, as has already been noted.

Jackson contains much rolling hill country with wood lots, small farms, cattle-rearing operations and midsize creeks all being common. Despite the lower harvests of late, Jackson should be an excellent place to go for the upcoming smokepole season.

Rounding out the top 10 is Grant with 240. Again, as has been true in most of the state, Grant's harvests were quite high in 2003 and 2004 with 392 and 352, respectively, but then plunged the next two years with 209 and 219, respectively. The major feature in this District II domain is the South Branch of the Potomac, and the farms that lie along this river and its tributaries are often the best places to go afield with a smokepole.

Poultry and cattle-rearing operations are also common, especially the former, and these farms are also excellent places to hunt. Grant could be a very enticing destination this December.

DECEMBER PREDICTIONS
I asked DNR biologist Jim Evans of the Elkins office about the season to come.

"We expect a similar harvest as last year or slightly higher," he said.

I also asked Evans if there are any new muzzleloader regulations for this December that hunters should be aware of, and the biologist said that the only changes would be in counties open to antlerless deer hunting, as noted earlier in the season proposals.

The topic of antlerless hunting also resulted in a follow-up question concerning what role the six-day muzzleloader season plays in helping the DNR manage the state's deer herd.

"The muzzleloader season accounted for about 15 percent of the antlerless deer harvest last year," Evans said. "The season can be important in managing individual counties, especially when the goal is to bring the herd back into the carrying capacity."

By that, the biologist means that when the DNR wants to increase the size of the deer herd, the typical management response is to have more conservative antlerless regulations. When the goal is to decrease the herd size, the agency implements more liberal regulations. In short, the DNR, like any state game agency, depends on hunters to help manage the herd.

Last year, my muzzleloader season ended on a disappointing note, and I truly missed the time afield. Cold temperatures, snowy landscapes and wary whitetails are a part of the December smokepole experience, and readers who have not gone afield during this season are missing one of hunting's most pleasurable events. Try this season on for size yourself this month.