Ok ...now that I got your attention...this is for all of you that complain there are too few deer.
We as hunters are a management tool, but the thing most hunters don't understand is that we as hunters have all the power. Just because the state issues Doe tags DOES NOT mean we have to shoot does or fill all the tags available to us. We as hunters need to do whats right for the properties we hunt and whats right for wildlife on those said properties. Of course this must be done within the rules of the state . But in the end it is all up to us and what we decide to shoot or not decide to shoot....be it buck or doe.
So if your not seeing enough deer don't shoot every doe you can. Same goes for pheasants....the decline in pheasant numbers is very obvious, but the DNR is not doing anything about it....So we as hunters should do what we can do improve habitat, food sources and remove predators so the pheasants can at least try to hold their own. I dont think you would see guys out shooting hen pheasants even if it was legal. I would also bet pheasant hunters understand the hens are the ones that have the babies and roosters breed multiple hens....sound familiar.... I enjoy the hunt as much as anyone else, but we are only a tool in the DNRs eyes.
I seen a prime example of this on a farm my relatives hunted down in Oklahoma when they moved their for a job. The one farm they had to hunt the farmer didn't allow any does to be killed off that farm, and all of the surrounding farms had the does just get pounded. Year after year there were always more deer on this farm and some how they always managed to pull a buck or two out of their as well. I talked to neighbors who hunted just as much and didn't do very well, and even got worse when Oklahoma`s DNR caved to the pressure from big business and insurance. Lessons to be learned...I bet the guys from Wisconsin could say the same thing right now.
I know I have ranted long enough...but remember that you as a hunter can help manage the properties you hunt, its you that decides to pull the trigger or not.
We as hunters are a management tool, but the thing most hunters don't understand is that we as hunters have all the power. Just because the state issues Doe tags DOES NOT mean we have to shoot does or fill all the tags available to us. We as hunters need to do whats right for the properties we hunt and whats right for wildlife on those said properties. Of course this must be done within the rules of the state . But in the end it is all up to us and what we decide to shoot or not decide to shoot....be it buck or doe.
So if your not seeing enough deer don't shoot every doe you can. Same goes for pheasants....the decline in pheasant numbers is very obvious, but the DNR is not doing anything about it....So we as hunters should do what we can do improve habitat, food sources and remove predators so the pheasants can at least try to hold their own. I dont think you would see guys out shooting hen pheasants even if it was legal. I would also bet pheasant hunters understand the hens are the ones that have the babies and roosters breed multiple hens....sound familiar.... I enjoy the hunt as much as anyone else, but we are only a tool in the DNRs eyes.
I seen a prime example of this on a farm my relatives hunted down in Oklahoma when they moved their for a job. The one farm they had to hunt the farmer didn't allow any does to be killed off that farm, and all of the surrounding farms had the does just get pounded. Year after year there were always more deer on this farm and some how they always managed to pull a buck or two out of their as well. I talked to neighbors who hunted just as much and didn't do very well, and even got worse when Oklahoma`s DNR caved to the pressure from big business and insurance. Lessons to be learned...I bet the guys from Wisconsin could say the same thing right now.
I know I have ranted long enough...but remember that you as a hunter can help manage the properties you hunt, its you that decides to pull the trigger or not.