The preliminary gun buck kill reflects the dampening effect of this year's wild and crazy rains and snows. Still yet, some 67,000 bucks were bagged. That's a remarkably similar sequel to the past two seasons. Without that wet weather, a bag more like 75,000 was on tab.

With decent food conditions and hopefully a non-deer killing winter ahead, it looks like 2009 should benefit from a "carryover" effect. That is, the bucks not bagged this year should be bigger and better next season. What's more a better controlled population which prevails at present makes for more food for those carryover bucks. That in turn greatly increases their survival chances, not to mention that of the smaller does and fawns.

It appears that some stiff winters and disease (EHD) have augmented the hunter's bullet in getting the vast majority of the state county management units to the objective population levels. The winters earlier in this decade have seemingly helped more in the mountain national forest counties while disease, particularly the blue-tongue (EHD) of 2007 was more concentrated in the Ohio River counties. Nevertheless, record buck kills a la the 103.000 of 1997 seem unlikely in the near future and would also signify too many deer.

Although the buck kill was remarkably similar to the past two years, the mountain national forest and traditional big gun counties are gaining back some of their former glory. This includes the likes of the Randolph, Greenbrier, Hampshire and Hardy. Many of these famous counties have been abandoned by resident hunters for parts closer to home. The once famous deer counties now seem to be dominated by out of state hunters.

With modern day Ohio River deer Mecca counties like Ritchie, Wirt, Mason and Jackson now being whittled down to management levels, West Virginia hunters may want to put the counties of their youth back on the shopping list for next year's options. They could be pleasantly surprised with the results of just such a mountain camp homecoming!

In other news fresh on the heels of last week's elk feature, Kentucky announces its plans to issue 1,000 elk hunting tags for 2009! That's astoundingly up from 400 this year. We'll keep you posted on the application procedures and deadlines. For the last chances at some in-state venison, the archery deer season remains open through Dec. 31.

The Christmas gun antlerless deer hunts are also nigh. They include two days of special youth hunts Dec.22-23 plus four days of general antlerless deer hunting Dec. 24-27 in all or parts of 44 counties. Refer to the regulations pamphlet for details.

Look for this year's highlight wrap next week. Until then may you have a Merry Christmas!