ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND, Md. - The staff of the APG hunting management facility has been busy readying hunters for the 2011-2012 season.
The season for migratory game birds is already underway and deer season (archery/bows only) kicks off today. Muzzleloader season begins Oct. 16 and firearms starts Nov. 12.
Authorized hunters on APG lands include active duty and retired military personnel and their immediate Family members, active Department of the Army and retired civilians and their immediate Family members, Maryland National Guardsmen assigned to APG, multi-year contractors and authorized guests when sponsored.
All hunters and guests must be in possession of a state hunting license, qualify on the facility's archery and shotgun ranges and fill out an IMNE-APG Form 1249 Hunting and Trapping Request prior to being allowed to hunt or trap on the installation.
HMF Manager Steve Fazenbaker and HMF Assistant Zach Van Cleave operate the facility and noted one significant change to APG Regulation 200-6 this year: Hunters will be permitted to bring guests who have been cleared through the ranges and licensed.
"This means that authorized hunters can sponsor guests otherwise not authorized to hunt on post, such as relatives or friends," Fazenbaker said.
The facility, located just off Combat Drive, is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. After 5 p.m., Van Cleave said volunteers are on hand to assist and ensure all hunters are in.
"We work closely with the Directorate of Emergency Services game wardens to ensure the safety of our hunters," he said.
Hunting ends 30 minutes after sunset each day unless hunters call in that they are tracking an injured deer.
"This is one of the reasons hunters must fill out a 1249," said Van Cleave. "It states the hunter's name, intent and assigned area and lets us know who's out in the field and who's not."
Fazenbaker has been at the facility, renovated and expanded in 2010, for 20 years while Van Cleave is a recent graduate from Iowa State and Northwest Missouri State universities with a master's in recreation and resource management.
To find out more about hunting at APG, stop by the hunting management facility or visit www.apgmwr.com, www.apgbowmenclub.com or www.dnr.state.md.us.
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