I have what I think is a perfect example of what is happening across much of the state. My family owns and hunts a 600 acre peice of property. For the past 10 years, we have intensly managed this property for big deer. We have roughly 12 guys in camp during deer season. Most, with the exception of a few kids abide by an 8pt, wide as its ears or bigger rule. Within 5 or so years, it started paying big dividends for us. In fact, one year, we took 9 8-points with spreads 15" or better with 3 over 20".

Now, our property is bordered almost entirely by state corrections ground. Up until two years ago, they would only hold a 1 or maybe 2 day anterless only hunt. Last year, they left 300 hunters, by drawing only hunt the property for buck, doe and bear for 3 days. They took 168 deer including many large racked bucks and 12 bears. This year, they held a 3 day hunt for 600 hunters. Approximately 65 deer were taken with only a few decent bucks. Quite a drastic change if you ask me.

This year, our property seen an enormous decrease in deer heard. None of us seen as many deer or bucks. We took 3 real nice ones, but the sheer lack of numbers was alarming. Did our property need a herd reduction? You bet. At one time we had entirely too many deer. But we're seeing the affects of the prison hunt from last year. The prison grounds are roughly 5000 acres if I'm not mistaken, which is plenty. But combine that with all the neighboring properties taking deer each year and you have a total decimation of a herd.

I've been told by a reputable source that the PGC fueled the slaughter on the prison ground. They're desperate. They need revenue. And if they can use these types of places to create an interest, they will. I by no means am saying that they shouldn't hunt the prison each year. Thats not fair to other hunters who don't have a place to go. But, I'm saying they went overboard, way overboard.