Photo by Curt Helmick.

The long wait is over. Bowhunting season finally is here again. How glorious it will be to nock an arrow again! This season, head to the highlands to enjoy some cooler weather in the opening days of archery season.

Sure, deer numbers are down across virtually all of Pennsylvania. But bowhunters are all about the challenge and the hunting experience. There are still plenty of deer available for good bowhunting. And there's one big factor that should excite serious bowhunters: Trophy-class bucks are becoming more common.

KINZUA QUALITY DEER COOPERATIVE
The most heavily monitored section in the north-central highlands is a collection of public and private lands in western McKean County known as the Kinzua Quality Deer Cooperative. For the past several years, biologists have used deer check stations and various field research methods to monitor the health and quality of deer and their habitat.

When this study began, area densities averaged 20 deer per square mile. That has since reduced to fewer than 12 deer per square mile.

Bad news for bowhunters? Maybe so, if your only interest is seeing a lot of deer. But now, the average weight of fawns is nearly what it was for yearling does back when the study began. Buck-to-doe ratios have improved. And average weights, ages, antler spreads and beam diameters for bucks have improved considerably.

Perhaps nowhere in Pennsylvania is there a better opportunity to collect a mature northwoods buck that field-dressed, might still weigh more than 200 pounds.

Hunters should understand that this is not an easy hunt. This is big-woods habitat, rugged hills covered by dense hardwood forest in various stages of growth. Some sections are remote.

The key to early-season bowhunting is mast. Find acorns, beechnuts and apples and you'll find deer.

The KQDC covers 74,000 acres including and extending beyond the northeast edge of Allegheny National Forest. Part of it is public land, and most is private. However, it's all open to public hunting.

Private land partners include the Bradford Watershed and private timber companies such as Forest Investment Associates, RAM Forest Products and Collins Pine Company.

Approaching the KQDC from west or east, take U.S. Route 6. From the east, turn onto state Route 59 at Smethport. From the west, turn onto state Route 59 east of Warren.

Approaching from the south, get off Interstate Route 80 onto U.S. Route 219 and follow it north to Route 59. Then turn west. The intersection of Route 59 and state Route 321 is in the KQDC. Route 321 intersects Route 59 in two places.

At the western intersection are the Bradford Ranger District offices of Allegheny National Forest. They can offer an excellent map of the national forest, which includes the KQDC; and can also provide other KQDC information.

Benefits derived through cooperating hunters have included the opening of numerous forest roads during hunting seasons and in some places, the elimination of deer-proof fencing.

If you harvest a deer on the KQDC while check stations are in operation, be sure to take the animal to a check station. Successful hunters are given tickets for prize drawings held at an annual banquet -- one ticket for a buck or two tickets for each doe.

For more on the KQDC project, maps of the area and other information, visit the KQDC's Web site at www.kqdc.com.

Information about local services is available through the Allegheny National Forest Vacation Bureau, Bradford Visitor Center, 80 East Corydon Street, Suite 114, P.O. Box 371, Bradford, PA 16701. You can visit www.allegheny-vacation.com, or call 1-800-473-9370.

FRENCH CREEK STATE PARK
At the opposite end of the climatic spectrum, early-season bowhunting in the southeastern corner of the Commonwealth is apt to be a sweaty experience.

The first days of bowhunting season, before hunting pressure makes deer too wary, are perhaps the best times to hunt some of the smaller tracts of public land, including our state parks. One of the great benefits of hunting some state parks in fall is that camping facilities should be available.

There's no better way to get into the mood of hunting season than by rough camping. Leave the radio, CD players and portable television at home. If you've never hunted hard from a tent camp, you'll be amazed at how the peace and quiet will make you a better bowhunter.