Maryland's New Deer/Turkey Check-In Procedures

G2 Shooter · 07-18-2005, 02:09 PM

Has anyone read the new check-in procedures for 2005-2006? I bought my license on Friday and it took me about 20 minutes to read through everything. Here is a link to the Hunting and Trapping Guide. Look at page 20.

http://www.dnr.state.md.us/huntersguide/2005_2006_guide.pdf

I talked to a DNR officer and he told me that it was done because they didn't feel they were getting accurate harvest records with the check-in stations. I also think they paid these stations but no one will tell me if that is true. Could be a way of saving money. Anyway, I think by making a hunter use the phone or a computer to check in their deer, the numbers will be even more wrong. If I did my own butchering, I wouldn't go through the trouble to call it in. I know several "old timers" that don't have a cell phone or computer. I just think the state is going about this the wrong way and will pi$$ off a lot of hunters.

Here's another thing that I thought was kind of stupid. "During peak deer check-in times (from 5:00-8:00 pm during muzzleloader and firearms season ), hunters may experience a delay if using the telephone check-in line" Why would you enforce a new system that you knew was going to have problems?

Anyway, this is just me bitchin. It might be a great new system that works wonders. I'll have to wait and see.

chazspot · 07-18-2005, 02:55 PM

One thing to keep in mind; Maryland is the number one state in online usage. Given that statistic, I think this is the remedy we have been looking for. I for one have butchered many a deer just because the resources were not available to check the deer in. Now all I have to do is log in and check in. I find this not only convenient but the answer to MD's big game check-in problems.

G2 Shooter · 07-18-2005, 03:05 PM

Now that I think about it, if I butchered my own it would make it easier. But I don't and I think my wife would totally freak out if I started.

I guess I'm just annoyed with having to make a call before dropping the deer off. I can see me fat-fingering my license number and having to start all over again. I'm not going to drive the 45 minutes back home to check it in before driving another 30 minutes to drop it off at the processor. I plan on shooting a deer everyday I go out and donating it so maybe I will get real proficient by the end of the season.
Like I said, I guess I will just wait and see but you have a good point.

Deleted User · 07-18-2005, 05:25 PM

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MD Piney · 07-18-2005, 11:14 PM

Time will tell on how decent this system is. During early bow I'm going to enjoyremovingthe trip to the check in station in order to get the deer home andcut up as soon as possible. Phone call on the way home and then right to the deer pole.

I was concerned about folkscalling in two phantom does in order to open up that second buck tag. We'll just need to rely on the honor systemfor that one. Guesssomeone could havechecked in a doe twice with the old system so if someone wants to circumvent the system they will do it regardless of the program.

Rickmur · 07-19-2005, 04:58 AM

I don't think it will work. Harvest will be under reported and if a hunterthat has no moralshas a decent buck shot offered to him I think he will do either one of two things after shooting it. He will make false claims of doe harvest or won't report it at all till he gets his doe obigation over with. Time will tell.

chazspot · 07-19-2005, 07:44 AM

I think the more inconvenient the system, the less deer will be checked in. I know that many times I bagged a deer in the evening (especially in hot weather) I had no place to check it in because there were too few places and they closed even before the deer got moving. That never made sense to me, and I consequently didn"™t check the deer in.

I thought you used to be able to phone deer in, but I think they did away with that. Now, they are re-implementing that in combination with online check-in. I see that as much more convenient and therefore a more precise estimate. Hunters who hunt unethically will continue to do so regardless of what system is being used (concurring with what MD Piney said.) That brings up the question; how does DNR account for the number of deer killed by guys shooting them from their cars and all other forms of poaching? There has to be some variable in their equation for that.

Rickmur · 07-19-2005, 09:02 AM

Quote:

many times I bagged a deer in the evening (especially in hot weather) I had no place to check it in because there were too few places and they closed even before the deer got moving

I think the new system would work great with the above problem but it should IMO only be used as a backup means of checking deer. Besides, now I won't be able to see all the big bucks at the checking station

.

chazspot · 07-19-2005, 09:29 AM

Maybe they can attach pic's if they check them online!

Lefty26 · 07-19-2005, 11:03 AM

People are always going to be shady when it comes to checking in deer. This just makes it a little easier for them to do that. For me I wont have worry about going into work late the next day after an evening hunt because I have to go check in my deer. For us law abiding hunters I think it will be a little moreconvenientthan driving to the check in station, for the ethicly challanged hunters, it will be easier to pull some shenanigans. Catch 22 I guess.