ORIGINAL: VT_Hunter1980
ORIGINAL: jf5
ORIGINAL: BTBowhunter
I would shoot does if it was legal here. The only time you can take them in Vermont is during bow season or during ML season if you're lucky enough to win an antlerless tag.
If it were legal to shoot does here, I would have a good half dozen deer under my belt instead of zero.
Thats a bummer!! I dont know much (anything) about Vermonts deer herd, but am amazed that any state agency is trying to practice QDM without killing some does!!!
Most VT hunters demanded a reduction in doe permits mostlydue to a long tradition of buck only hunting.In many zones, (not all)I would agree that a reduction was required. VT's doe populations are fairly low. So its not a situation where there are tons of does and low quality bucks like PA a few years ago.
I'm not trying to complain too much, but I've been skunked every year since I was 11. Granted, part of that is due to the fact that I'm not that good a hunter, but in 13 deer seasons, I figured at some point I'd be bound to get one at least by accident. Who knows, maybe even if the state was overflowing with deer, I'd still walk away empty handed. In any case, the armed hikes that are my deer hunts are still more fun than sitting in front of the TV all weekend.
To make you feel better...Its been 15 seasons for me since taking my last deer in MA. I did pass ona few does, but many times was W/O permit. So you are not alone.
Butthe last line of your statement above saysit all. Just get out and enjoy all that is deer hunting, and thats muchmore than just deer shooting.
As far as the 2 or three deer limit. Didn't theystudy that and realize thatthe # ofguys getting three deer a season was very low??
ME has qualiaty deer, but only has high density in a few areas. Itsstill hard hunting with limited sightings. Its just that when you do see a buck,he can be a big bodied monster. ME also has allot of logged land that helps with browse/edgecover.
If you want quantity deer, head to central-western NY. Lotsand lots of deer and some quality too...