By Elizabeth Lowe
Staff Writer

Goodrich ? Bow hunting season opened the first of this month, to the delight of hunters like Tom Foreman.
Foreman, who works in the archery department at Brown’s Do-It Center & Sporting Goods in Goodrich, returned from lunch hour with his hands a bit grimy from a jaunt in the woods with his bow.
‘I just got out of a tree,? he said, grinning. ‘I went (bow hunting) on a lunch break.?
Foreman is one of more than 400,000 archers who finds bow hunting an ‘exciting challenge.?
Jeff Hyder, 23, is another bow enthusiast. Although he hunts with both guns and bows, archery has been his passion since he was a young teenager.
The advent of the compound bow has made archery more suitable as a family activity.
‘The compound makes it easier for kids to start,? says Brown’s archery spokesperson Mark Brownrigg. ‘With the recurve you have to practice a lot more.?
Archery is a relatively inexpensive sport to get your child involved in, says Brownrigg, less than the cost of playing a sport such as hockey.
Adults may initially invest a bit more in their own gear, he said, but after the first expenditure, it’s simply a matter of buying a few arrows every year.
The sport offers something for everyone: family togetherness, a beautiful atmosphere, the choice of hunting game or shooting targets, and the wonder of a hobby that’s at once peaceful and exciting.
Archery is a sport that boasts longevity as well. Long-time compound bow hunters find the challenge of bow-hunting can be revived by going back to the recurve bow, Brownrigg says.
The current bow-hunting season runs through Nov. 14.
From Nov. 15 to 30, a firearms license is required. The second phase of the bow-hunting season will resume Dec. 1 and run through Jan. 1, 2004.
The early part of bow season takes place during Michigan’s autumn color change, making the woods a visual wonder.
‘Early in the archery season you not only go out and bow hunt, but you enjoy the weather, see the leaves falling. It’s really scenic,? said Brownrigg.
According to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources 2003 Statewide Deer Hunting Prospects report, biologists are estimating this season’s deer harvest will approximate last year’s combined harvest of 480,000 deer.
Deer hunting is a sport that is expected to bring in $500 million to Michigan’s economy in the form of payment for lodging, food, equipment, and transportation.
In an effort to evaluate and monitor Michigan’s deer herds, hunters are being asked to voluntarily cooperate with the DNR by bringing their deer or deer heads into a DNR deer check station to assist biologists in making recommendations for future deer seasons.
According to the DNR Web site, ‘biologists age each animal, measure antler beams, and examine for disease.?
Hunters who cooperate with the measure will receive a Deer Management Cooperator patch, although checking is completely voluntary and not required by law. Approximately 90 deer check stations have been established around the state.
If you’re hunting locally, deer may be brought to the Holly Recreation Area, located at 8100 Grange Hall Road in Holly, or the Lapeer State Game Area, located at 3116 Vernor Road in Lapeer. For hours and directions call the Holly location at (248) 634-0240’or the Lapeer location at (810) 664-8355.