J.R. Absher, IBO Director of Communications The scenario is becoming more and more prevalent each year, particularly in the whitetail deer states located in the eastern half of the U.S.: The combination of urbanization and growing populations of whitetail deer has become a hot political and ethical issue. The debate over whitetail deer control in parks and urban settings is undoubtedly one of the most hotly-contested issues in today's public forum - in town halls as well as on newspaper editorial pages from Maine to Florida, from Washington D.C. to Chicago. It is not likely to change anytime soon. And, for bowhunters, that's the good news. In the coming hunting season, bowhunters will have more opportunities than ever to fill their freezers with delectable venison, spend more time afield and perform a valuable public service by helping manage whitetail populations safely and humanely. More and more bowhunting groups across the country are discovering this "win/win" situation has an added bonus - it's a outstanding public relations campaign for bowhunting in a rather unlikely place - suburbia. From a state agency perspective, many regions will be offering up to six additional anterless tags for bowhunters who wish to take part in special hunts and follow specific criteria. Contact your local DNR for more details. In addition, independent bowhunting organizations and established state bowhunting clubs are expanding their programs to assist agencies, municipalities and park districts with their deer management. (Translation: More hunting and more good PR!) The IBO will begin listing some of these groups and contacts on its website (www.ibo.net) as seasons grow near. Here are a few states and groups with established urban bowhunting programs to contact for further information: Greg Mortz Metro Wildlife Management Base, Inc. (Michigan Metro Parks) www.metrowildlife.org Dearborn, MI (571)-540-9704 Michigan United Conservation Clubs (MUCC) www.mucc.org (517)371-1041 United Bowhunters of Pennsylvania www.ubofpa.org Rich Wingertsahn (215)947-1510 Suburban Wildlife Management of North Virginia www.swmnv.com Whitetail Management Associates Pittsburgh, PA www.wmapgh.com (412) 292-0723 Michigan Bowhunters Association Jerry Keck (517)672-2998 Minnesota Bowhunters, Inc. Ted Stachel (612)755-3799 Joe Ferrigno United Bowhunters of Connecticut (203)736-0399 Iowa Bowhunters Association Travis Glidden (641)923-2707 www.iowabowhunters.org WhiteTail Solutions, LLC 223 Riggs St Oxford, CT 06478 www.whitetailsolutionsllc.com (203) 233-8227