Swamp Dawg, I think the DNR is more concerned about maintaining a quality experience for the residents and the limited non-residents that are lucky enough to draw. You will not find the older age class of bucks we have here in states that offer unlimited over the counter tags. Our problem with deer numbers is caused from the reluctance of our hunters to shoot enough does. However, the last couple of years there have been thousands of "bonus" doe tags sold at reduced prices and record numbers harvested. How many nonresidents are coming to hunt does? I would guess very few if any. As a resident, I am happy with the DNR's efforts and our hunting is good because of them. It is really no different than my having to put in for years and years of points to hunt bull elk in a trophy zone in Colorado.
Agreed
Like most states that are difficult to draw a tag for, it's usually nonresidents that feel there is a problem with the system. I'm no different myself.
Mid-Vermont,
I'd agree with btomlin. The big boys are on the move around Thanksgiving, trying to find those last few estrous does. More times than not things usually don't 'start up' until a few days before Halloween. I've
never had much luck the 3rd week of October.