The deer hunting season in the Northeast has surely been affected by the impacts of Hurricane Sandy; some states for the better, and others for the worse.

By Jackie Werner

Hurricane Sandy has wrecked havoc across the Northeast, severely hindering travel in some areas. And the lasting effects could take a toll on state deer harvests.

Hunters traveling into the woods in states that have been hit hard from Hurricane Sandy — such as New York, who’s deer hunting season has already begun, and even New Jersey who’s season opens Nov. 26 — might find their land very different from what it had previously been. Hunters need to be cautious of this change in terrain. Deer movements, and even landscapes have been severely affected.

States such as Ohio, that received an immense amount of rain along with wind gusts up to 70 mph — and already affected by the summer drought — will feel the effects of Sandy during this year’s dear hunting season. This is because the harvest of field corn is now pushed even farther back. The rain and wind from the hurricane has left the fields soggy with flattened corn stalks and the farmers are unable to harvest, thus creating a perfect place for deer to keep hidden when gun season begins. Farmers say they might not be able to harvest until the ground begins to freeze, which can create problems among hunters.

Even states as far away as Minnesota will feel the effects, and they might actually benefit from Hurricane Sandy. The hurricane created an early snow fall which is beneficial for tracking deer. Although, due to the drought in the summer, if the farmers have not yet harvested the field corn they may have the same problem as Ohio.