Roger,

It's a shame more folks don't take an interest in pressuring our DNR to manage responsibly. I think the vast majority don't know how good it could be or worse yet don't care. And all Jim Mitchell's policies are governed by public sentiment, not sound game management practices. I can't tell you how many times I've heard laughs from Iowa natives when I tell them we have 32 gun days, 16 of which are in November. They rightfully protect their bucks during their vulnerable time. But politics rules hear.

Funny thing is I always wonders what makes deer different from other state biology management decisions, like fish slot limits, turkey re-introduction, prairie grass plantings, tree plantings, etc. I never recall these things being managed based on public balloting, like the deer. Seems these are managed solely on responsible modern biology management techniques. Why don't they do the same for deer? It sucks.

Zim from NW Indiana

Zim, I agree whole heartedly, until we quit gun hunting the rut this is the best we are going to get. With the habitat and feed we have Indiana should be one of the top Trophy producers. Hunted Kansas this fall and really enjoyed hunting unpressured bucks in Dec.

Sell

Roger, Were you able to take one in Kansas? We normally archery hunt there but my buddy drew a rifle tag this year and got a really nice one. There's a photo on my homepage:

http://www.geocities.com/bowsitezim/

Zim from NW Indiana

Zim, Yes I took a 145+ with a muzzleloader, was the best I seen. Was a little disapointed in quaintity and quality of the hunt. Looking to go again or maybe Missouri any suggestions?

Sell

The new one buck rule should help increase the size of the bucks and cut down on the shooting of smaller bucks. Around here T.H. there plenty of 8-12 point bucks taken that weighed in anywhere from 180-265 lbs field dressed. Personally I have only shot one antlered buck in the last three years and yet my freezer has not been empty. But then again I hunt for the meat and not the rack. Back in the 70's when I started deer hunting you were only allowed to shoot bucks with either a bow or shotgun. There are considerably more deer now than there was then. I hunted the same woods from the mid 70's to the late 90's when the area got closed down to make a wildlife preserve. And from the early 80's on you could see the herd increase in the amount of deer there. Good food, Good genetics, made decent sized bucks and great does for the area. Bucks ran from 175-220 field dressed and does went up to 155 or better. The added seasons and bag limits did not hurt the herd. Poachers were and more than likely are still a much larger problem in that area.

What county do you hunt?

Zim from NW Indiana

I do a lot of hunting in Indiana and Kentucky

Clark county here, just across from Louisville.

Hi guys I hunt Elkhart St. Joesph and Marshal in northern In.This was a good year the freezer is full with a 5 point and a doe 5 point with bow and Doe with frontloader.

I live in Vanderburgh County (Evansville) and I hunt in Dubois County.