Search results

How about everybody just quits shooting does for a couple years. That is the first/next step.

Iowa’s population estimates are questionable. I think they are probably over estimating a bit but it is all we can go by. One thing to remember is they are done before season. So you have to take 445,000 and subtract the 105,000 harvested. So you only have a total of 340,000 bucks and does...

Skip, I get it. But when you really look at the changes for weapons based on the season not much has really changed. Many people swapped rifled shotguns (150 yard gun) for muzzleloaders (200 yard gun) in the late 1990’s, Then when straight walls (200 yard gun for most guys) were passed guys...

As I have previously mentioned. If ISC wants to make some changes to regulations. Let’s get rid of party hunting. That will save literally thousands of bucks annually. Plus, addresses Skip’s point of guys shooting numerous bucks. Easy argument…we make kids fill their own youth tags, even...

Skip, It is less than 5% who shot 2 bucks last year, 1 out of 20 hunters. And only 201 people last year shot 3. So that is around 0.25% killed three or 1 out of every 400 hunters. The guys that are going to be super picky already are. Which is why the herd is being high graded. The others...

Actually, you just proved my point. Those are harvest reports not population estimates. So in 2008 when we had 750,000 deer on the landscape it looks like just under 60,000 antlered bucks were shot. And antlered buck harvest remained basically the same clear through the 2021 season as our...

No. I don’t. If you know of any studies that show otherwise please share. I think more NR hunters will lead to more NR land acquisition, leasing, and more outfitters. That will lead to decreased access for Iowa residents. I think crossbows would shift a large percentage of the guys that...

I agree 100% that they are a legislative process. I thought I actually indicated that when I talked about the IBA lobbying and fighting against any changes. My point was that it was never about age structure. I have been contacting legislators for probably 25+ years now with regard to deer...

These do help with age structure but that is not the reason they are in place. I was told years ago that the reason our gun season was initially set for the first weekend of December was so that it didn’t coincide with Fall harvest. Back in the day most corn harvest happened in November and...

Ramcats definitely rank up there for best broadhead I have used based on performance. Deep penetration, unbelievable damage, and fly great. I have also never lost a deer shot with a Ramcat. Hope you can find some to try! I think you will like them.

I thought you were on the board and lobbied the legislature on behalf of ISC and their agenda last year with Skip. My apologies if that is incorrect. There is nothing that will stop the decline in trophy potential without increasing the population and people deliberately culling low scoring...

Read your post. Are not going to allow…Statewide…no chance…Let that sinks in…Zero. Sounds pretty defeated to me.

I understand that Farm Bureau as a general rule wants less deer, however they aren’t the ones buying the licenses or shooting the deer. We hunters have the power to control what we shoot. Just like when the DNR asked us hunters to step up and shoot more does in the late 2000’s and we did it...

Not sure where you are located, but if in Iowa. Going to one a buck State will only add one buck back per twenty hunters. If you figure 3400 additional bucks are killed and there are 80,000 hunters with two tags to equal the 160,000 tags sold. So one buck per twenty hunters or it works out to...

Not doubt you will see a more balanced age class and an overall increase in antler size going to a one buck State. But not top end deer. You will high grade the herd. You will have tons of 130-140 class 8 points that get to 4,5,6,7 years old and virtually no 160+ inch deer over 3. The only...

I agree 100%, a NR is not spending $400 for the opportunity to shoot a doe. On this same line. Why are we still making NR’s buy a doe tag when they draw their buck tag. With deer numbers down like they are, doe management should be the responsibility of the residents. We should be deciding...

Skip, You want to save at least 15,000 bucks next year. Get rid of party hunting for the gun 1 & 2 seasons. I would support that change 100%. No reason everyone can’t shoot their own deer. I mean kids have to fill their own youth tags. Why can’t the adults have the same rule. I would...

I don’t think it has changed much. I would like to hear how it has changed how YOU personally hunt. How do you use cell camera MRI differently than the info you received from running regular trail cameras. I don’t use cell cams any differently than I did regular trail cameras. I have cell...

I don’t think that cell cams are doing as much damage to trophy potential as people think when compared to regular trail cams. Cell cameras really only became affordable to the masses in what the last five to maybe ten years. During that same time period we have had the major EHD kills that...

Good discussion. I think ethics or logic has nothing to do with shooting one, two or three bucks. It also has nothing to do with score of the deer you shoot or its age. That is because 1 1/2 years old can breed does just fine. You can have stable or growing populations regardless of the age...