This weekend begins the Pennsylvania archery deer season across the commonwealth.

All indications are that there are plenty of whitetail deer for hunters to pursue. Archery hunting has become one of the fastest growing segments of the interest shown by men and women of all age groups in Pennsylvania.

If the Hunter Safety Classes are an indicator of hunting interest, I recently observed a group in Butler County graduate 58 new hunters at the Marion Township Fireman's Social Hall. This is a large group as they generally have a limit of 50 hunter candidates in a class.

I happened to know one of the fathers, Mark DeMatteis, who had two youth at the class offered by the PGC. He had his son Andrew and his daughter Sydney taking the daylong class.

With a laugh, I remarked to him that he was going to have his hands full this year as he tried to take both youngsters out hunting. He in turn laughed as he remarked that Sydney, 11, was wanting to go on a mentored hunt and that she picked me to be her hunting mentor! Yikes … isn't there a saying about he who laughs last laughs longest!? We will see what her mother says and take it from there!

Archery season opens Oct. 5 and all deer are eligible quarry with the proper licensing and tags. The season continues through Nov. 16 and begins again on Dec. 26 through Jan. 20. With a season that long, any archery hunter who has any skills with the bow along with some hunting skills should have a chance to harvest a whitetail.

Archery requires hunters to get up close to deer and plenty of hunters have decided tree stands and blinds are the best way to bag a buck and have a variety of strategies to try out.

The last buck that I bagged with a bow was just walking by a trail that I had posted up on. My buddy Jimmy and I were sitting on an old log watching a trail and we saw deer walking all around us. A doe sauntered by us and not too long later, here came Mr. Buck and he seemed to have his mind on the doe who visited us earlier … good for me!

Keep in mind that the longer archery season ending date of Nov. 16 will be a great advantage to the bow hunters as we will likely get well into the deer rut season. Once a buck gets into the rut mode, he throws a great deal of caution out the window.

Bucks will be on the search for receptive does and will be in competition with other bucks at all hours of the day. This behavior pattern puts them in peril not only in the hunting woods, but also along our highways and byways.

Bucks will put their nose to the ground like a trailing hound and follow does all over the place in a hope to be the breeder buck. This behavior results in strange daylight sightings and actions that seem unusual to the casual observer.

Right after the start of archery season, we will have the early season black powder enthusiasts joining the hunt on Oct. 19. The entire week will be filled with all types of hunting going on and needs to have us keep in mind that other hunters with firearms will be seeking deer, bear, small game and waterfowl.

The safety requirements for firearms requires the wearing of fluorescent orange vests and caps for the early muzzleloader and rifle hunters. Bear season runs in conjunction with the early deer muzzleloader and both senior and junior hunters may use rifles the last three days of the week. You better be paying attention to the game and safety laws for a trouble-free hunting experience.

With the weird weather that we have been experiencing this fall, you better keep in mind that the proper field dressing of your game is very essential. Warm weather can spoil your game harvest if not taken care of properly.

Animals such as deer or bear require immediate field dressing and cooling with the hides removed. If you have an animal that is a trophy class, you may want to meet with your taxidermist quickly to properly skin out the hide. Timing is everything and if you make too many game skinning preparation mistakes, it could cost you in the long run for a once-in-a-lifetime trophy.

Last, but certainly not least, are a few things to consider:

n Don't take shots that are out of your comfort zone, too far away and you will likely wound an animal

n Do pay attention to shooting hours — you are not permitted to carry a bow or firearm after dark

n Know your limitations — you should have a clear idea of your abilities from practice sessions.

Until we meet again, shoot straight and be safe!

Jay Hewitt is an outdoors columnist for the Butler Eagle.