Originally Posted by
Northernboghunter
I went ahead asking the neighbor if he would let more of smaller bucks go by this year. He informed me that two of his crew were out of work this year(six hunt the 5oo acres) so they would be shooting alot more deer this year so as to get more meat on the table for these two guys. He said would have about 14 tags to fill and wasn't going to be picky. Buck, doe or fawn would do for it. I have a feeling that this year is going to slim pickings indeed. Has anyone else run into this?
Same problems in PA. Many guys purposefully get laid off for the deer season. We have antler restrictions of 4 pts to one side, but it doesn't help too much because almost every 1 1/2 year old is legal. I have tried to pass on both 1 1/2 year old and 2 1/2 year old bucks in archery season each fall, only to have them wacked in rifle season. I can't even keep the rifle hunter's off of my in-laws 150 acres of posted property. VERY frustrating. I am looking elsewhere for managed property. I have hunted IL and OH for the past 3 years, and PA much less. I am going to Iowa this fall. Try to stay Zen about it. A good 115" 2 year old is a trophy in many areas of PA. That being said, P&Y and B&C class are taken every year in PA.