Traditional deer management is what left PA in the shambles of a mess that it is now. Slowly we are making progress.

Same for Louisiana,

That darn traditional deer management it ruined us.

In many texas counties does can only be killed during archery season unless the landowner has a Managed Lands Deer Permit. So, meat hunters during gun season can't legally kill a doe without this expensive permit. I know many gun hunters in Tx that would like to kill a big buck but will not pass a small one. Taking the shot means meat in the freezer. Passing means maybe a later shot opportunity at a larger buck or maybe not. Also most guys know they have another tag. It may or may not be good in that county but they stillhave a tag. That means shoot a spikefor meat now and then wait for the big one to many guys. That is why meat hunters will kill a small buck rather than a doe.

What? I liked the days of only getting one deer tag and putting on drives that push out 35 doe but the spiker gets cracked because it's "buck season." That was great.


NJ put themselves on a program a number of years ago that has really improved the herd there. While PA's program is different I am hopeful that it can have some similar effects. The buck to doe ratio was and in many cases still is ridiculous (is that right Tony?).

As far as the QDMA goes, I wonder how many biologists they employ and how often Brian Murphy goes to them for input. I believe biologists are the only ones that truly practice QDM in its purest form.

[quote][Are there really adults like that out there? Do you know adult hunters thatnever raise the bar and set goals? How boring would that be every season! Is it just about the machoism of bragging to everyone that YOU/they killed something, anything, every year?/quote]

Yes there are. I know several of them in fact. They shoot little bucks and have a ball doing it. Interstingly enough, the ones I know don't brag to anyone. They hunt deer because they like it and don't feel the need to brag about it. They have fun enjoying the outdoors with their family and they enjoy eating what they shoot. These are good down to earth people that don't brag about anything.

Interesting you bring up machoism and bragging in a thread like this. I wonder which camp, the trophy hunters or the people that just enjoy hunting deer a few times a year, are more inclined to brag about what they killed?

Try to see things through other than your own eyes. The ones I know would say, how bout those guys that never want to shoot anything but a trophy buck. They may go three or four years without killing a deer, how boring would that be?

I do not care who you are or what side of the camp you are on. If you whack a 150 class buck you are going to let people know, LOL(me included)

So you can only brag about getting a big deer? That makes it ok. I wouldn't necessarily include everyone in that either.

ATTENTION MARKJ
Read what I type in my posts! Here would be a direct quote from this thread; page 2 if you care to go back and look.

There are a pile of great buck hunters out there that no one will ever here of.
And have allot of respect for those who don't see fit to treat the killing of a great buck like your first.........well you get the point.

I really do get a kick out of how some smuck that blunders in to monster buck and manages to bring it to bag with a volley of well placed gut shots turns it next year whitetail expert.

Yes, that makes it OK in my book. We have a lot of old schoolers here in PA that don't want to let go of the any buck is a good buck mentality. I'm fine with that, but they jump down my throat because I am in favor of the antler restrictions.

You say to see things through the eyes of someone else and ask who are we to tell you what you can and can't shoot. Well who are you to shoot all the bucks before they reach maturity because you want some meat. That is crap. I work my butt off looking for good hunting spots to get a chance at a nice buck. That is my choice, but it is frustrating beyond belief when I find a spot that has promise and after gun season that promise was whisked away because a bunch of 1-2 day hunters who are good down to earth guys came in and blasted everything with bones in its head and let the doe walk.

If guys want meat, shoot a doe. Show a little self control if you see a small buck, because chances are you'll see a nice fat doe shortly after.If you can't control yourself then the state will do it for you.That's what has happened here and I'm all for it.