Archery season opens Saturday

Bowhunters get the first crack at the area's deer herd starting on Saturday. They'll find a mixed bag of big bucks in some areas, with sparser whitetail populations in other sections.

Savvy hunters have followed deer movements in recent weeks and identified areas where fall foods are abundant. Antler restrictions that took effect in 2002 have led to a higher percentage of older bucks. Last year, about half of the bucks taken by hunters were 2.5 years or older.

Tree-stands and climbing devices that cause damage to trees are unlawful unless the user has written permission from the landowner. It is unlawful to construct or occupy constructed tree-stands on state land.