This was definitely not something new or last minute.
This was in the proposal before the public meetings. (october ML hunt) I disagree with the early ML hunt, but found myself conceding if they were going to eliminate the 2nd gun season.
In the end,, they did not eliminate the 2nd gun season in Dec. They simply moved it in a last minute decision due to pressure from Ohio congress. It is now in January tacked on to the normal late ML season. I had many conversations with Mike Tonkavich regarding this issue. I assure you, this decision was not made based on opinions from biologists or hunters. This is a money grab of the political nature.
Now, archers do not have any months to hunt in Ohio that is not interrupted by a gun season. ( I guess we do have 3 days in September and 3 days in February)