Iowa Harvest Data, Reports & 1 concern

[Sligh1]

I know it's almost AUGUST and folks are not thinking of this. Here's the harvest report that basically shows #'s across state are going down substantially with our regs and laws right now....
http://www.iowadnr.gov/wildlife/files/files/08population.pdf

One CONCERN I have is I read the general harvest data per county in another area of the DNR's site- I wanted to see where my county stacked up. I looked at bottom for whole state, CONCERN- 12% or obviously more than 1 in 10 deer that are shot are either BUTTON BUCKS or SHED BUCKS, almost 18,000. To a few, 12% might not sound like a lot. That's a heck of a lot to me though. I simply think it's rediculous how many folks are not watching this before they shoot, being more careful, etc. It's not that hard- it's easy if you have the slightest care and knowledge. There's plenty of does in most areas and folks still end up shooting that many button bucks and shed bucks. I hope folks continue to educate and pursuade folks to be more and more careful. Just like any management movement, it will come down to more awareness, discussion, education, etc. *yes, this will happen, I do know that # could and should be a heck of a lot less than 12% of harvest though.

Any thoughts on the above data? Surprising? Etc?

 

[letemgrow]

Not suprising for me,

In MO they shoot 40,000 buttons bucks a year not counting the shed bucks. Educating people is a great way to persuade them to shoot does. Some never will want to change and will shoot the first "skinhead" that pops out which is usually a button buck.

 

[IA ML'r]

IMO, most of the shed bucks and button bucks are shot by people who don't really care what it is as long as it's a legal deer.

and I think there will always be a portion of hunters who feel that way.

 

[whitetailassasin]

Does it say by what means the deer were taken? I'd be willing to bet that most of the 12% saw their end via lead. Nothing against you gun guys, just thinking those deer were taken from more than twenty yards where it would be more difficult to tell a buck from a doe.