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RE: If you KNOW, then why don't you?
 

I agree with that 100%

RE: If you KNOW, then why don't you?
 

Just to be clear, in your area, what do you consider the best method of deer management?

Without argument, simply tell us the state you live in, and what you think needs to be done for you to be a happy hunter. PLEASE NO ARGUING!

I'll go first so you have an idea as to what I mean;

I think NJ is on the right track for deer management. We have been over-populated in most zones with far too many does. Since the state has incorporated Earn-a-buck in many of these zones, I have seen a reduction in the amount of does. The habitat has bounced back to an extent, and other wildlife is starting to thrive. However, there are a few areas in which there are still too many does, we need to formulate a plan to further reduce the does in these areas. Browse in these areas is severely depleted, and may need help to regenerate.

The bucks in NJ need to be protected by the amount hunters are allowed to harvest. Currently a hunter utilizing all the available tags can kill 6 bucks per year. This number is far too high. To see an increase in the size and age of bucks we should limit the number to 3, if using all weapons/seasons. Or perhaps one firearm buck tag, and one archery buck tag.

Harvests need to be reduced in a few select areas, this should include does. Areas such as the extreme North (zone 1) need this reduction in harvests.

Other areas such as the urban areas need a special season and approach to managing the ever-growing, overpopulated number of deer. We need to reduce the size of safety zones, and possibly incorporate a special urban bowhunting season. The state should gain access and permission for specially licensed hunters to these areas. Allowing them to harvest the excess deer.

Its my belief that the NJ management plan has been on the right track for several years now. However, these minor changes would help us to manage the herd even better. Allowing hunters the opportunity at fewer bucks, but eventually more quality bucks. While balancing the herd, and reducing it to numbers suitable for the habitat, and residents surrounded by the abundant amount of deer, through a more aggressive urban approach at doe harvests.

RE: If you KNOW, then why don't you?
 

I live in southern lower Michigan, Jackson county to be exact. Our county is number 2 in trophy entries for the state. We have a 2 buck limit combined,bow or gun. Your 2 buck has to have 4 points on one side and I don't believe it works for QDM. We get alot of hunting pressure durnng the seasons. I share the land I hunt with 6 to 8 people and QDM is not on there agenda. I saw 6-1 1/2 bucks, 5 I beleive I could have taken and one was shot by someone else. That would leave 4 unknowens for next year. Our bow season is 90+ days so being paitence is not so hard. I can shoot does at just about an unlimited pace but usualy only take 1 or 2 in the late season. I would not want to impose my beleifs on someone for QDM or have a law to dictate it. When you go fishing you have limits on how many fish you can keep and a "size limit" but you never here anything about "QFM". I beleive it's common sense.

RE: If you KNOW, then why don't you?
 

Some of you feel you have to many deer where you live ,fine shoot them.Some of us think there is room for more deer .My property was two farms I bought the first after the lawyer for the estate had the timber cut . and no one wanted to clean up the mess. The second neighbor died and I bought his land that was boardering mine.This year a three million dollar sewer project went in on this land property value has gone up & so have the taxes.If I did not own this land it would be a housing project.
With that in mind I will or will not shoot what I want.The food plots I plant now are where the old timers grew their crops,I do the same.The differance is I don't harvest mine for resale, I make the carrying capacty of my land higher rather than lowering the deer numbers.To each there own my neighbors reap the benefits and if they want to slay a doe its their land and they do what they want. Because you decided to hunt state land do not bring your public beliefs to my private land.If you want to kill does ,kill does ,if can't kill bucks then don't,but don't force your beliefs on all others.
Just another dink!
And is about the horns[:@]

RE: If you KNOW, then why don't you?
 

BawanaJim, I just dont understand you.

I guess you and I can discuss it in the waiting room when we are getting the rotator cuff surgery.

You seem to place yourself on a pedestal, and pat your own back alot too. Because you own land to hunt, this some how makes you a more caring steward of the resource.

I guess because I hunt state land, Im an uncaring slob, who cant harvest a deer too. Right, isnt that what your getting at with your snide comments?

Yet, its you who refuses to listen to sound management plans that your state is pushing for. You claim there is NO need to shoot does on your property. How can this be? You obviously know more about deer research and biology than the actual biologists then. Right?

Im not saying you have to shoot 10 does a year, or even 1. But dont you realize it would help your land, and your efforts to harvest a doe or two per year. If doe numbers are EXTREMELY low, stop harvesting them. But I cant forsee them being dangerously low if you havent harvested them in 20 years.

I also dont understand you on the fact that you claim its NOT about the antlers, yet you will ONLY shoot bucks. That makes about as much sense as peeing before you pull your willie out. I think that would be the definition of contradiction in the dictionary.

I admit, I want to shoot bigger bucks. The way I think my state can go about providing them for ALL the hunters, is by limiting the amount of buck tags. There is absolutely NO need for more than three buck tags a year. Especially not when we have the amount of does available for harvest that we do. I also think they should push for hunters who have been successful in taking a buck or two to try and hold off for older more mature, and larger bucks. This will increase the probablity of seeing and shooting larger deer.

Tell me how that plan negatively effects YOU?

It doesnt. So tell us about your state and what you would do to make it better.

RE: If you KNOW, then why don't you?
 

This is a value jugement. You are saying that what matters is the harvesting of big bucks. It may be to you but it isn't the primary motivation for everyone. I have no problem limiting the number of buck a hunter is allowed to take but as soon as you bring a trophy hunting mentality into it I object. I don't want to teach our young hunters that big racks is what hunting is all about. There is a lot more to value in the sport and focusing on antlers IMO detracts from them. I have taken several trophy buck in my 40 some years of deer hunting and had I taken a few more it wouldn't have enhanced the experience at all. In the remaining years I have, if I take a couple more trophies thats great, if not that's fine too because that is not what draws me back year after year.

RE: If you KNOW, then why don't you?
 

Sylvan, I agree with you more than you know.

I would NEVER want to force the hunters to pass bucks that would make them happy.

But I dont think there is any harm in trying to persuade guys not to shoot small bucks.

Shoot whatever you like though, but just remember, deer are a resource for all to enjoy. Harvesting bucks for no other reason than to harvest a buck is just as wrong. Its selfishly stealing from the hunters who want to shoot bigger bucks. Not only that, but its still putting the emphasis on the antlers. I thought that was pretty clear.

If antlers dont matter at all...we should all shoot does. You could manage herds just as well, if not better by taking does, and only does. Bucks have a higher mortality rate in the wild, even without hunting pressures than that of does. So lets all just kill does.

Like people always say, you cant eat the horns, so dont shoot any bucks. Leave them to survive. I would love to see bucks running around with magnificent antlers, even if I couldnt harvest them. God what a rush that would be. Im gonna propose that change to my states division and see what they say.

DONT KILL BUCKS!!!! KILL DOES!!!!!! We dont want it to be about the ANTLERS anymore!!!!!!

Never again, could anyone be told they are hunting for the wrong reasons, we would all be hunting on an equal playing field. Does and does only. I love it! I hope the other hunters will go along with it.

RE: If you KNOW, then why don't you?
 

You realy are missing it for MEEEEEEEEEEEEE it is all about the horns!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I am a buck hunter I do NOT shoot does .
I never said anywhere no one shoots a doe on my place , I said I don't & I won't.
My daughter my wife & any body that I see fit to hunt with me can shoot any legal deer they want.Thats what I'm trying to soak thru your head, its going slowly but I think I'm getting there.
If you want to slay every doe you can knock yourself out, just don't push for laws that tell me how I have to hunt.
And as for earn a buck thats the dumbest thing I ever heard.

RE: If you KNOW, then why don't you?
 

In PA we get one buck tag per year.