ORIGINAL: rustynobles
the worst part i see is that it devalues killing a doe. for someone like me, killing a doe is a beautiful thing that i'm thankful for. killing a buck with massive antlers is just gravy. it seems that my friends who hunt in wisconsin feel it's a punishment, and i don't understand that mindset, as i'm happy to harvest anything, especially with a season like this.
It feels like a bit of punishment, because you got the DNR telling you that the herd is at record numbers, and is at an unsustainable limit, while on the other hand a person can sit out there all day long and not see anything.
While 15-20 years ago before (QDM/QAM pick your acronym) it was rare to see any bucks, but there were does aplenty to be seen, it was also the time where you sent in for a party permit, in the hopes of being drawn for the opportunity to shoot a doe. The herd population supposedly at that time was less than what it is today, but I can remember seeing over 40 does on opening day.....mininum.
My major complaint is not about harvesting does, even before EAB, I usually managed to take one when it was permissible. It is about the disconnect between being told there are ALOT of deer out there and the reality of not seeing any.