Let Him Go So He Can Grow-Who Cares??
 

Just wanted to see who practices this principle and why.

I don't want to start some huge debate, might happen anyways, it's just as bowhunters we have a unique opportunity to harvest game, or NOT harvest game in a more relaxed atmosphere than the traditional short and hurried gun seasons.

I personally like to pass up 1.5 year olds(yearlings), and some 2.5 year olds. I believe in unlimited harvest for youth and first time hunters.

My personal beliefs for doing so are for reduced yearling stress by producing a better age structure. A less caotic breeding season, run entirely by an older age class of bucks that produces less stress, effort, and unecessary pursuit by inexperience breeders. Increased rutting activity, more scrapes, rubbing, and dominance related activity. Older bucks, with substantially more meat than yearling bucks. Overall less stress on the entire deer herd that results in higher body weight, improved health, increased winter-time defenses, and of course an increase in antler development. A more "natural" balance of nature and a biologically based system of management.

Why do you guys care about it and who does it?
I would have posted this on the QDMA page, but it doesn't appear I'd get many responses and I mostly spend my time here anyways. It's not that gun-hunters don't care, it's just that on average, compared to those who gun-hunt exclusively, bowhunters spend more time in the woods and on their stands, and I believe spend more time studying deer, equipment, and habitat.

Who cares?

Jeff...U.P. of Michigan.

RE: Let Him Go So He Can Grow-Who Cares??
 

First let me describe my hunting area. Private land that still gets heavy pressure. The posted land is hunted by people, the private, but accessed land is also heavily hunted. No one practices QDM. We see 1 large buck(spread over 16") once every couple years.
Up until a couple seasons ago I shot the first buck by. Since then I have held out for at least a racked buck. If I had more nice bucks around I would probably wait for nicer bucks, but for now I shoot anything with a rack. I do have one spot that can produce large racked bucks, and I wouldn't shoot a small one in that area. The problem with that spot is just that there are so few deer I rarely hunt there.

I never really cared much before and felt people should shoot what they want. But after talking to people and learning things, I feel it is better for the herd to have a broader range of age class in the buck population. That is why I am hoping AR goes through and the hunters allow it to work.

RE: Let Him Go So He Can Grow-Who Cares??
 

I let a lot walk on private places I hunt.... some I shoot. It depends on my mood and that of the deer at the time. On public hunting ground I usually whack it if it has some bones.

RE: Let Him Go So He Can Grow-Who Cares??
 

I'm in Arkansas - 3 point rule on deer here. Millions of public acres of heavily hunted lands. We aint got a choice !

Let me ask this - macro-managing a whole state - will that not lead to high pressure on the larger, mature bucks and lead us to actually harvesting too many of those class animals ? I know a lot of people that are happy shooting a meat deer spike or young buck that are now chasing the same same higher class deer that tens of thousands of other do. Whats your opinion ?

RE: Let Him Go So He Can Grow-Who Cares??
 

I have been practicing QDM for about 6 years now. In that time I have learned more about deer behavior than I did in the 14 years prior to that. NorthJeff I couldn't agree more about youth an first time hunters. But we let them know what we are doing and why, they might suprise you with the choices they make on what deer they take for there first one. I did not fill my buck tag this year and thats just fine with me.

BulletBob456

RE: Let Him Go So He Can Grow-Who Cares??
 

I practice QDM on the land I hunt.I try to shoot a doe every chance I get. For one there are way too many of them and I like seeing large bucks! If you dont practice that even on public land you wont get quality bucks! Public land its hard to get people to do that but eventually other hunters will catch on. For first timers and youth anything goes I believe. This year I shot 3 does cause I never got a shot on the type of buck I wanted. I still got to kill deer and have alot of venison for my family. Mabey my chance at a nice buck will be next season.

RE: Let Him Go So He Can Grow-Who Cares??
 

I think too many people are getting caught up in what deer should I shoot,which type of hunting is accepted,and how big a buck does it have to be for everyone to accept or reject.I passed up a 4pt. and a small 6pt this year.I saw a big buck one day before them.So I held out for the bigger buck and ended up empty handed.Some would say I was looking at QDM but really I had alot of time to hunt, saw a bigger deer and decided that is what (I) wanted to do.If not for all the time I had to hunt (I) would of taken the 6pt. and would have been proud of it.I guess what I am trying to say is I go hunting to enjoy myself. I set my own goals,and they may even change while I am out there.I don't want somebody to tell me after I harvest a deer if legal, that I shouldn't have shot that deer.If the law changes I will abide by the law even if I may not agree with it.

RE: Let Him Go So He Can Grow-Who Cares??
 

I'm a die hard "let 'em go so they can grow" proponent. I am fortunate, however, to live in a state with a well mangaged herd. BUT if it were a perfect world, everyone would adopt this philosophy and every state would have improved herds. I won't shoot anything below PY and early in the year I hold out for a 140 or better. I'm for all states implementing size restrictions on bucks to at least 3 points on one side if not more. If a guy wants meat, then harvest a doe, there are plenty of them running around or drive the roads during the rut and pick up road kill. States with poor quality herds would eventually reap the rewards of QDM and the opportunities at a trophy harvest would increase, thus increasing license sales, thus increasing funds for wildlife habitat which in turns creates more refuge for even more higher quality bucks to skulk and it just goes on and on. My question would be "why would you shoot a young buck?"

RE: Let Him Go So He Can Grow-Who Cares??
 

I think it depends entirely on what part of the country you're in and what deer you are hunting. Here in California, we are allowed two bucks, but they have to have a fork, one side or the other or both in the upper 2/3 of the antler at a minimum. Plus our herd populations aren't anywhere near as dense as those prolific whitetails you all hunt and our little blacktails rarely form habits as far as travel. They will sometimes completely change their habits completely from one month to the next. The average bowhunter here is lucky to see one legal deer all season that he can get a shot at. You all are very lucky to be able to see enough animals that you can pick and choose what you want to kill.

RE: Let Him Go So He Can Grow-Who Cares??
 

Stealthycat,

Your question about the high pressure on the mature animals. What you'd find in areas of a good age-structure is that it would be much harder to actually shoot a buck if you had to stick to the mature animals only. Those animals react very differntly to pressure than other animals and adapt to pressure much easier.

In my neck of the woods if a buck reaches 3.5 years old he is a true survivor. He has avoided 100's of bait piles, coyotes, wolves, bobcats, bears, maybe a cougar or two, exteme winters, lack of food, and cars. When those animals are in the herd, they bring a level of confidence and relaxation to the rest of the herd that has many physcological and physical benifits. These bucks do most of the breeding in this situation, and therefore pass on many of their great survival traits. It would be amazing, and is amazing in most parts of the country that have well managed herds. Those mature animals are pressured in many ways throughout the entire year, but are an important, irreplacable role in herd society.

I think the only negative things that would take place in a macro-management environment would be decreased buck harvest by those that continue to rely on yearling buck harvest stratagies, less of an appreciation for a minimum P&Y buck because of increased availability, and a reduction in license sales due to the difficulty of some to harvest an older animal.

All the benifits are proven by biology and science, the unknowns are the effects of hunter participation due to increased difficulty in hunting. On one hand you'd see a greater number of superior animals, rubs, scrapes and the like, on the other hand the mature animals are harder to hunt and have exceptionally enhanced survival skills.

I personally like more meat. The 2.5 year old 8-point I shot this year weighed in at about 150#'s and gave me 62#'s of de-boned meat. The 110# yearling 4 point my dad shot 2 years ago(we now have an 8 point rule), gave him 35#'s of de-boned meat. The mature does in our area give you between 50 and 60 pounds of meat. People shoot a spike for meat???

Jeff...U.P. of Michigan.

RE: Let Him Go So He Can Grow-Who Cares??
 

Here on Long Island we are alowed two bucks. I give myself some leeway on the first and only shoot a 6 pointer or better. The second buck has to be 3-1/2 yrs or older.
I do this for pure selfish reasons as I just don't get much satisfaction out of shooting younger bucks. Meat is not an issue because I really don't eat it.

RE: Let Him Go So He Can Grow-Who Cares??
 

I hunt public land that has very little pressure from hunters and it is strictly bow only.
We can pick and choose what we get if we see a cull buck then it is culled
The herd has good numbers in it now with some good size bucks so next season should be a good one for us.
In fact I only know of 4 other hunters who go to this spot and non of us are letting on where it is and when we take some one new there they better get used to a blind fold lol

RE: Let Him Go So He Can Grow-Who Cares??
 

It must be different here in Kansas, about this topic. First, if a non-youth person shoots a doe rather than a little buck, he'll gain a lot more respect. The mentality around here is if you bring in a small one, most people wonder, why didn't you just shoot a doe? Does are around every corner and taste better.

I practice QDM, because I don't really care too much about a small basket sized rack. It's no problem to have several opportunites at does in one day, at my hunting spots. So why not just take a doe, if you don't really care about that little 14" 6 or 8 pt. rack? With there being more and more hunters these days, QMD is starting to go by the road-side in some places especially on public. I'm just lucky enough to know that the deer I passed up will most likely be there next year, because most everybody around my hunting areas do the same as me.
Visit My Hunting Page



Edited by - kshunter on 01/23/2002 11:48:45

RE: Let Him Go So He Can Grow-Who Cares??
 

On our farm in WV...I've been doing what I can to pass on young deer, and am starting to get others to buy in. Ten years ago an 8pt with a 14" spread was a nice deer.

This past year we took an 8pt that has 7+" brow tines, and a 9pt with a 19" spread. I also saw a couple other hogs while bowhunting.


As far as letting them walk...I did miss a 5pt with my bow this year that I probably shouldn't have shot...I did kill a mediocre buck with my bow and a doe.

I think the important thing is to kill does and to NOT overkill young bucks.

RE: Let Him Go So He Can Grow-Who Cares??
 

Here in Arizona I haven't had many opportunities to pass up deer. If I manage to stalk within my confortable range of a small buck I am going to take it personally. I am hunting Kaibab for the first time in September which has a much higher population then the areas I hunt so my thoughts may change then. As for rifle the areas I usually get drawn for are low success rate (since I would rather get drawn in an area like that then take the chance of not getting drawn in a better area), so I would also take a smaller buck if the opportunity presents itself.

RE: Let Him Go So He Can Grow-Who Cares??
 

North Jeff,

I can't agree more. I think if we all put the health and quality of the deer herds first, then we would rarely harvest young bucks. Special circumstances....like for first year hunters and or teens would be serve as an exception. Instead we would take does and mature bucks only.

Education of QDM is the key. The thing that bums me out is the fact that here on the public land I hunt, very few people understand the basics and importance of QDM. They shoot the first deer they see with antlers. Which is usually a 6 month old button or a 1 1/2 year old spike or forky, and there are five or six does standing there with them...???? Unless state agencies change their managment plans from a revenue motivated adgenda and begin implementing education of QDM....nothing is gonna change, especially in a state like mine that has so much public land. If I bring up the topic of Quality Deer Management ....lets say at the local Cafe... people would look at me like I was speaking Afgan!

Shed

RE: Let Him Go So He Can Grow-Who Cares??
 

I dont shoot many bucks anymore,Cant phyiscally get where they are.So I shoot all the mature doe i see with the permits I have.I have beeen setting my own standards at least 4 pts.Where I hunt I will see maybe 25 or 40 hunters a day and 1/2 dozen bucks a year in Pa.If I want a chance for a big buck I will go to a big buck state.I enjoy the meat so I shoot alot of doe the past 5 years and I'm happy

RE: Let Him Go So He Can Grow-Who Cares??
 

Some day Shed, some day. Someday the deer herds in our states will hopefully be managed with scientific, biologically based principles. For the time being will have to except management based on tradition, hunter opinion, and personal bias.

And for all those who think hunter opinion should matter, does public opinion matter in the management of N.A.S.A? There is some point at which the management of a company, forest, or animal, becomes scientific enough to rely on professional management only. Hunter opinion should matter in conveniance topics, whether it be an issue of keeping your bow in a case until legal shooting hours, or treestand use, but scientific management of the overall health and quality of the herd? I'll rely on the professionals for that.

Jeff...U.P. of Michigan.

RE: Let Him Go So He Can Grow-Who Cares??
 

Pa is about to have it's first Antler restricted hunting season in 2002. When the subject first came up I figured it would never fly in PA with 1,000,000+ hunters that have been raised to shoot the first deer with bone on it's head but it appears more and more that our hunters are at least willing to give it a try. Personally I have been passing anything under the 120" range for several years and am glad to see the change . Lets hope the other part of the challenge, killing more does, is also embraced by our hunters.

RE: Let Him Go So He Can Grow-Who Cares??
 

Our state requires a forked horn or better in the area I hunt ,but I try for a more mature deer than that . We only get one buck and I want as much venison as possible .I guess in that sense you could say I practise QDM on my place to hunt .What my neighbors do I couldn't say , I don't believe many of them even hunt .

RE: Let Him Go So He Can Grow-Who Cares??
 

i let the little ones walk and let the big ones drop! i hunt on small private tracts. i care not what my neighbors shoot it's there business. me personally i can't shoot a small one, but i will take out the doe's.

Edited by - beretta390 on 01/23/2002 20:17:00

RE: Let Him Go So He Can Grow-Who Cares??
 

I shoot any mature deer....sometimes let the little guys pass.

RE: Let Him Go So He Can Grow-Who Cares??
 

Here in Northern Maine only bucks can be taken.Doe permits aren't issued except for one area and only 350 permits are given.Our heard has taken a big hit from last years late season snow and coyotes.QDM is but a dream here,we take some really nice deer but if every one held out for the big guys I fear that our gene pool would really suffer.nmaineron

RE: Let Him Go So He Can Grow-Who Cares??
 

Q.D.M. really works! My best friend and I have been practicing it for about 8 years now. We hunt our farms that are due east and west of each other, but with about a half mile in between. A couple of the other locals also practice this, but a far larger portion of them do not. Anyway, we have both noticed the last 2 or 3 years that the big buck sightings are getting more and more each year. He ended up taking a huge 160 class 8 point with several kickers this past season with a gun. And between him and all of us that practice Q.D.M., we still know of several big deer that made it past the season, ( I believe that the art of hunting doesn't stop because the season does) to continue to grow and spread quality genes to younger generations of deer. I do agree that first time hunters (youth) should be able to take the shot of their choosing. AND EVERYONE NEEDS TO GET A KID STARTED IN THE OUTDOOR WORLD, WETHER IT BE YOURS OR SOMEONE ELSES!

RE: Let Him Go So He Can Grow-Who Cares??
 

Well, I aint buying it.

In my area, Arkansas, people want to shoot deer. they want to be successful, they want meat. In the past two year (since the three point rule) does have filled that slot - providing meat and success. Also, a LOT of bigger bucks have been coming in, which I attribut to #1 - them being allowed to grow a year extra and #2 - more people in the woods hunting for them (because they didn't fill their tags with a young buck)

What we now have is 40-60% declines in deer population/harvest. the blind AG&FC says "oh, the deer are there, ya'll aint seeing them" - bull. A co-worker hunts 5,000 private leased acres, second gun hunt he hunted every day and saw two deer TOTAL. Thats southern Arkansas too - where the deer are abundant.

On a statewide level, I don't think it QDM 3 point rules can work and still allow the harvest of the bulk of the does. When I hunt, I want to see deer. Our deer hurt is hurting right now, and I think QDM, while improving the age structure of buck, is hurting our overall herd.

I think Arkansas should close all doe hunting in 2002 - radical move but I am telling ya'll, a statewide 3 point rule and a bunch of doe tags will equal a declining deer herd - its happened here.

RE: Let Him Go So He Can Grow-Who Cares??
 

QDM is the big antler hunters dream. That's all it is. Designed to grow big antlers for those that that's their thing. It really has nothing to do in most cases with the "Health of the herd". If that was the concern of QDM they would and should be pushing for "Does Only" in a lot of places. QDM was started by the big Texas ranches that wanted to beable to charge people $10,000 for shooting a deer. Now they're getting it. Without QDM there have and will always be the big guys who survive and become the boss of the local herd. The QDM craze was fostered for one purpose only.... BIG HEADGEAR. You want to practice it that's fine. If they legislate it that's fine. If all our herds were 1 to 1 ratios and BIG BUCKs we all will end up with Texas sized pricetags. QDM in all these high priced... big money markets puts the herd size way above the natural carrying capacity of the land with feeding and food plots. Which also seem to grow the towers overlooking them. They get these outrageous prices because of the unnaturally large numbers and ease of taking. They're close as you can get to cattle herds. You want it fine, but don't tell me it's for the health of the herd. The herd could care less if it's bred by a 2 year old or a 5 year old. AND, I never saw a 5 year old buck that tasted better than a 2 year old. Besides that... my old heart can't drag 250 pounds.

RE: Let Him Go So He Can Grow-Who Cares??
 

davidmil...if every state had bucks like South Texas, Kansas, Wisconsin, Iowa etc...then there would no longer be "high pricetags" because the supply would come full swing to meeting the demand. Folks wouldn't pay god awful amounts of money to travel hundreds of miles to get an opportunity at a monster buck because they would have one in their own back yard!!! It's econ 101. As far as the health of the herd...if more bucks are allowed to reach maturity, and the doe numbers are in relative proportion, then as nature dictates, only the strongest, healthiest, and most dominate bucks in an area will breed the MAJORITY of does, thus passing on his superior genes. When every buck in the woods gets in on the act of breeding then common sense tells you that more and more opportunities for subordinate and poor genetics being passed on increases. So I cannot see any argument against the fact that QDM does not help in improving the health and strength of a herd. And if your heart can't drag out a 250lb deer then call a friend and they can help. :)

RE: Let Him Go So He Can Grow-Who Cares??
 

I'm not sure what the answers are ( I have my opinion) but I can say something needs to be done. In MI things are really screwed up. I try to hunt hard and smart but lately it seems that all you see are does and young bucks. Am I in favor of "deer ranches" no, Am I in favor of better age structeres, stronger rutting, harvesting more doe - yes. Does this mean, QDM or a better job in the DNR - I'm not sure but something really needs to change.

RE: Let Him Go So He Can Grow-Who Cares??
 

Actually, QDM is not trophy hunting. The only guys who say that it is have not actually looked into QDM. Older bucks are a healthy bi-product of QDM. QDM wants to promote a healthy herd, with education, and the facts, not a bunch of democratic feel-good legislation. QDM also seeks to keep carrying capacities that are balance with the surrounding habitat. If you have browse-lines in your area-such as the entire state of MI-you're deer herd is too high.

Trophy hunting is entirely different. QDM wants to protect yearlings with a 3 point rule or 15" spread, Trophy hunting wants to protect over 3.5 year olds. Trophy hunting wants to "cull" the odd 2.5-3.5 year olds, QDM does not. Trophy hunting focuses greatly on gentetics, QDM focuses on age and improved habitat. Trophy hunting has black and white harvest stratagies which do not allow for first time and young hunters to "bend" the rules, QDM does not. Trophy hunting rutinely involves high fencing and herd minipulation, QDM supports a natural, native herd before man's selfish interferance. QDM is about education, sound scientific research, biology 101, youth involvement, facts, habitat improvement, and is supported by virtually EVERY top whitetail professional in the country, whether it be research biologist, foresters, game managers, or local biologists...Trophy management is not! And finally, QDM is supported by years of scientific research from arround the country to promote a healthy herd, trophy management is not.

QDM goes against traditional management, which is based primarily on hunter opinion, hunches, and license sales, and supports rules and regulations that only have positive, healthy, impacts on the deer heard, and are backed by proven scientific research.

You can show a 100 people that the sky is blue, but you'll still have 4 or 5 in the crowd who are color-blind.

Jeff...U.P. of Michigan.

RE: Let Him Go So He Can Grow-Who Cares??
 

Great post NorthJeff!!!

RE: Let Him Go So He Can Grow-Who Cares??
 

The problem is NorthJeff... that all the "QDM" places also incorporate your discription of Trophy Management as part of their plan. A deer can have a smaller rack and still be the biggest and baddest around. The best guy in a fight is not always the biggest. Your points about trophy hunting are exactly my point.... the QDM craze is being used to justify trophy management. States that have inacted their areas of "QDM" usually do it with point numbers and spread limitations. Horn growing..... that's nothing to do with health of the herd. As far as the high browse lines.... that's where numbers not particulars need to be taken out. Does ... does... and more does. QDM "Experts" will tell you when you're taking numbers it doesn't matter if its a button or a fawn or mature doe. If it's brown it should go down. Common sense tells you that a mature doe eliminates 2 fawns next year usually while a small one might eliminate 1 or none. I'm not saying QDM as it is used today is bad.... just that it's not health of the herd that they're worried about..... it's how big can I grow some horns. Buck deer do NOT pass on survival techniques to the herd. Only in a Disney movie. Survival is learned with a little luck and close calls and time. The only thing they pass on are genes just like you and I. My fathers blood didn't pass on the first thing to me about dating or surviving in the woods. It did contribute to my hair loss(my mother I know) and height.

RE: Let Him Go So He Can Grow-Who Cares??
 

My question to the to Q D M is if you let all the 1 1/2 and 2 1/2 bucks go and shoot the 8 pt. or better, especially in bow season, before rut, aren't these young deer doing most of the breeding?
I certainly agree with harvesting more does, the ratio in the U P is as bad as it was down state 30 years ago,but I would like to see more 3 to5 year bucks doing the breeding.
Yes I am a yooper, though I now winter in Texas, and I see a lot of very nice bucks down here.The way they manage here with a lot of ranches is to take young and old bucks, letting the nice 8 & 10 pt's do
the breeding. Probably wouldn't work in places like Mi. with our large public land areas anyway. But I can't agree with taking the best breeding bucks out of the herd, before rut, is G D M

RE: Let Him Go So He Can Grow-Who Cares??
 

Great Post NorthJeff and Davidmil. You both are right. I just think that the best way to go is by practicing QDM for a healthy herd and also practicing trophy QDM. At times they may conflict each other in the process, but that's how you'll get a good all-rounded deer herd for the hunter.
Visit My Hunting Page

RE: Let Him Go So He Can Grow-Who Cares??
 

The one thing I have noticed on a couple of the videos out of Texas was that in the early season the hunters were NOT allowed to shoot the "Trophy" bucks..... only the smaller ones. That would seem to serve both purposes. If they want to do it in places like MI, NY, PA, and Maryland they have to legislate it. That's the stumbling block.... too much opposition. The bandaid patches won't work. Besides that, some of these states are making too much money off the bonus tags. If they really wanted the herd down they would give you the tags required to do the job. I can shoot all the does I want if I keep putting up the money here in Maryland.

RE: Let Him Go So He Can Grow-Who Cares??
 

Well, we don't really practice QDM, but my family owns about 25 acres of woods. My friend and I are the only two people that normally hunt it. We normally try for a 7 point or better, maybe a HUGE six. This year we are planting a 3 acre food plot in my back yard. Hopefully this will help out the herd back there. Across the road is another patch of woods that he have permission to hunt. It gets VERY VERY little pressure. Back there, we try to pass up th small bucks. This year my friend was passing up everything because he wanted a certain buck in there, the Ghost buck, it is a 10 point with a 20 inch spread, probablly goes in the 130-140 class. That property has HUGE bucks on it. It is surrounded by a huge farm and another farm that is POSTED to EVERYONE. Everyone overlooks that area. They could get permission but nobody does. We will go out the first week of archery for does and look for bucks, then we will hunt that buck. We have seen a 120 class 8 point, two 130-140 class 10 points, and a 170-180 class 17 point in there. There is a small 7 point that probablly goes around 100 inch that my friend passed up this year and a spike that had probablly 9 or 10 inche spikes. We just let them grow because nobody else hunts it.

Good Luck This Season: Buck Magnet
P.S. Only Chuck Adams can sit at home and see deer so get into the woods. =;^)

RE: Let Him Go So He Can Grow-Who Cares??
 

Hunters like deer go thru a growing stage. When we 1st start, it is "THE KILL". Next, it is the ability to get close enough for the Kill, but it is "YOUR" choice as to weather you take the shot or not(let walk or not). Then, after a time, you just want to outsmart the BIG ONES & shoot a doe cause you like the venison. Then in camp at home or in the sport shop you say-I had this one at-----feet but let him live. You have come full circle just as that mature buck your trin to bag has done. Everyone has paid his dues & the DNR is still trying to be politically correct...


always thankful

RE: Let Him Go So He Can Grow-Who Cares??
 

I would like to see people around my area let smaller bucks go. There is plenty of deer here. I do a lot of hunting on public land and if its brown its down there. I have let game walk just to hear a shot just minutes later and I about fall out of my stand it is so close. I eat them all, so I don't really care what size they are for food, but I definately would rather kill a big buck than a doe. On my land and my family's land we try not to shoot the smaller bucks. Since I got my deer-cam I really don't care about shooting any of them, I got want to get pictures of them right now.

RE: Let Him Go So He Can Grow-Who Cares??
 

Jeff,

Where are you from in the U.P.???? Here on the western end of the U.P. It is HARD to pass on that nice fork horn that comes strutting by. I do it....but I don't like it. 3 years ago, we had 4 spikes, 3 forks and a small 6 comming in to our backyard every night. I hunted behind our house and saw them all the time, but never shot one. When rifle season started, they would only come in at night. At the end of rifle season, one spike remained. I am assuming the rest were killed (Heavy hunting preassure...just like everywhere else in the U.P.) I don't know what the answer is. Manditory deer registration?? 6-point or better...Period????
I just try to get away from people and roads and do my part to:

LET 'UM GO....LET 'UM GROW!

(Scouted out a NICE 9-point durring archery season and ended up killing him November 20th with the rifle! 3.5 year old) There out there......somewhere!

John

RE: Let Him Go So He Can Grow-Who Cares??
 

Stealthycat I guess the 3pt rule is having a totaly differant impact up here in the very NE corner. Im seeing as many if not more does and am already seeing the effect on the bucks only saw one less than leagal buck this year. But there again I think the overall situation between here and there is day and night, we only have 6 days of modern gun and that is shotgun only. I this rule is effecting your numbers that adversely I sure hate it........hill

RE: Let Him Go So He Can Grow-Who Cares??
 

abhunter: I'm not buying the come full circle theory either. I hunt for one purpose. Shooting something with my bow. I've been hunting alone for about 50 years. The last 31 have been bow hunting. Admittedly I'm not as anxious about a kill as I once was, but a lot of that has to do with game populations today. There is always tomorrow. 40 years ago seeing a deer was reason to celebrate. The person who got one was indeed held up as a "Real hunter". Seeing one was reason to call everyone you knew. But back to you "Full Circle" theory. If I want to tell about how close I got to this one or that one I can start leaving a bunch of stuff at home and travel light. I have always and will always hunt with the ultimate goal of winning the contest. It's not over until I start dragging or I miss. I don't need to follow some hypothetical mystic journey around the loop to become a hunter. When I finally decide enough is enough I'll stop hunting. Sure there is enjoyment involved that has nothing to do with the kill. Sure I like to see someone else get one. But I hunt to take.... not to have observed. That's bird watching.