State whitetail management policies

[jonsimoneau]

I for the life of me cannot figure out why some states have still not learned how to manage whitetail deer.  I was a trained wildlife biologist in college.  Trust me guys...it is not rocket science.  I live in Illinois which does a pretty good job.  But everyone knows that Iowa does the BEST job of managing the resource.  I was once at a United Bowhunters of Illinois meeting where a DNR official was there.  I asked him why we could not structure our gun season the way Iowa does.  This would mean more big bucks available for BOTH gun and bowhunters.  He told me it would cost too much. WHAT?  I believe that Indiana would be the best whitetail state if they would move the gun season out of the November rut.  Every state would be better off to do this.  The gun hunters complain that they would not have a chance for a trophy buck if they did this.  BULL!  If there are more big bucks out there, then there are more opportunities.  It just seems rediculous to me, that after all of the recent research, that more game departments do not get this through their heads.  What do you guys think?

[DBerrard]

Trophy hunters would be better off yes, but the Gov should  be focused on keeping deer density at a manageable level and not rack size..


Due to that I don't see them moving gun season out of the rut anytime soon..most people hunt with a rifle and DNR needs them to harvest animals of any size..
Destruction of crops, car accidents, starving populations of deer come in ahead of bone growth on their melon. That's my opinion anyhow.  
Regards,
  Dave

[jonsimoneau]

Hey Dave. I agree.  But if the idea is to kill more does, than gun seasons should occur earlier.  Killing off 90% of the buck population, (like many states do) does nothing to control deer numbers.

[jonsimoneau]

By the way, I live in an area of Illinois where deer numbers are very low.  Still we grow a few huge bucks.  It's because there is limited gun pressure during the time when young bucks are most vulnerable.(the rut).

[DBerrard]

Not sure of the harvest reports in IL but if it's vastly bucks harvested I definitely see the need for concern. Could be since IL is seen as a big buck destination? Dunno..

Here in MN, DNR info shows that anterless harvests have been greater than buck harvests 10 years out of the last 16. Early antlerless season helps out a lot I think.

I'm with you on one thing though, where I hunt the deer density is very low...havent harvested one since 2005 and it sure isnt due to lack of trying  :D  But either way, if the game law stays the same or changes to favor antler growth..I'll still hunt just to hunt. I bet you're with me there eh?  

Regards,
 Dave

[DRR324]

Jon, I'm with you all the way- Michigan sucks for this very reason.  Nov 15th- opening day of rifle.  It the TRADITION here that won't ever be changed.  And yes 90% of the bucks shot are 1 1/2 years old.  Try to start a topic about management and you get flamed for not letting guys kill what they want.  I posted a topic on bowsite regional forum last spring asking if guys get more excited when the see a big buck compared to a little one.  If they would be willing to let little ones go for a year of two to increase the age structure a bit to have more mature bucks- talk about getting the hammer....I was forcing my way of thinking on everyone and got flamed for even asking.....too much to ask a guy to see the past the present and look to the future a bit.  The biggest issue here- a square mile block has an average of 10-20 landowners- thus the orange army and the big question (which I hate) "did you get your buck".....I'll stop now.
Dave