You said it. The citizens own the deer. 10% of the citizens hunt, probably only 1-2% of those are rabid trophy hunters. So I understand why you have to talk so loud to be heard.
Who represents us for deer management as ALL THE CITIZENS?????? WHO????? Well, in the end, in IOWA- it's both the DNR & in some cases they can be overrun by the legislature. So, the citizens, hunters or not, are getting their representation & the laws or regs have resulted.....
So, in this example, ALL CITIZENS had 2 conflicting organations with disagreeing opinions. We do understand that the DNR said "we created this season to achieve XYZ goal & the season was created to be a short term tool used to get to XYZ result, once arrived, the season will end" or however it was exactly termed. You understand that's how this season was created, defined and limited correct? Then, what happened???? FARM BUREAU who had a very tight relation ($!!!) with Brandstad, lobbied & lobbied & lobbied (and said what behind the seeen we only can guess) to have Brandstad overrule and run over the top Biologists at the DNR & the final DNR recommendation which included: scientfic data, hunter survey/opinion, biological backing, reference to previous season reasononing/creation, etc. In THIS EXAMPLE- it fundamentally boils down to which group the CITIZENS of this state side with (and essentially it was too late for them to decide)- FB/Brandstad OR the DNR. The choice was that clear and simple. Which side you choose to side with is yours & your right. I believe non-hunters and hunters would side with DNR. Llast year the DNR claimed the overwhelming response to Brandstad's office, from hunters & non-hunters was for a reduction in deer tags and the end to this season.
If you want to disagree with this and much of the FACTS stated above, that's your perogative. The opinion here is one of a million. Tried saying in the very beginning the post isn't about me. I don't personally attack anyone (you won't find it ANYWHERE & my posts don't go away) that has a view - I may disagree with them but I am not insulting or saying anything vulgar, etc. I have an opinion, you do too. You voice yours, I see it all the time. I didn't know posting had a "volume" but I guess when folks get passionate & others might feel they do not having as solid of backing in their stance, maybe it's a tactic to distract by talking about someone personally or deflecting the argument. Please feel free to disagree with anything I say, NO PROBLEM.
Sligh1 you are right im afraid, most on this site are interested in the trophy as you define it. I think that majority of those that dissagree arent on here. Other hunters opinion surveys? Are they on this site only or sites like it. I believe you would have the majority. I dont think hardly anyone hunting the late season has ever visited this site. How would you bowhunters like it if the Dnr did away with bowhunting and had an anysex high power season from Oct. 1st till shotgun season. There could be less wounded deer as high power rifle are more accurate at longer ranges. That would be a way to also respect the deer as you say, cause there might be less wounded deer crawling off and dying. Im willing to accept opinions as thats what they are. Last, are there any DNR people on here that recommend this season ending cause all I hear is people on here speaking for them as I imagine it suits their agenda. I am an avid bowhunter btw.
"TROPHY AS YOU DEFINE IT". PLEASE.... Read my last post, give me a break. Read it, FOUR times (that seems to be coming up often) - I said "A trophy as YOU DECIDE OR DEEM IT" or whatever the heck I said. I didn't once give my specifications as to what a trophy is. I simply called a spade a spade & said that, darn right- I'll bet you folks on here do consider "trophy value", whatever that means to them - that frequent this site or hunters in general across the state. We all look at "trophy's" and I'm not getting into the tacky argument of defining it (maybe it's a kid with his 1st 6 point or doe, maybe it's a 3 year old in an area that rarely even sees 2 year olds, etc). BUT- sure, I'll call the BS card if someone tries to claim their "Shed buck" is a "trophy to them". Ok- you can say it, whatever BUT at that point, hogwash. You know darn well that shed buck you shoot would likely grow bigger the next year and make a hunters dreams come true or give him a season of satisfaction after he put down an "older buck"- for sure 2 or likely older with a rack. You know the satisfaction & smile on any hunters face to get that deer. Some guy wants to shoot it, doesn't care about that other hunter someday.... As of now that's your right. I think it's pretty crappy BUT sure, you can do what you wanna do.
My point is, we need to remove this season- AS INTENDED- so that type of thing doesn't happen as much and as needlessly as an antlerless season in mid January with shed bucks galore that the DNR has fought to end while FB fights to keep it going. I'm simply taking sides on a "battle" of management perspectives of OUR STATES DEER. Hope that's ok. & you have the right to take the side of FB - & heck, you're winning so far!