Season Changes?

[Triton X2]

I believe you guys are more in the know than I am, but has anyone heard about possible changes in the gun or bow deer season for next year?

[PoisonSnake]

I haven't really asked anyone yet. Why, what have you heard?

[2BHNTN]

Gun Season is for doe's only this year.

[PoisonSnake]

Hey 2B... There is an interesting thread over on ArcheryTalk that you should look at. I think the fellow is from Wisconsin and he is claiming that he is seeing fewer and fewer deer (especially in the last 3 years). Makes a guy wonder a bit about all the doe killing and some of the reasoning behind it.

[Rafe Hollister]

2B, that would be awesome.

[2BHNTN]

Do you have a link to that thread ? I can't keep up with that site. Can you elaborate, did it backfire, work, not the desired outcome ?

Thought you would like that Rafe.

[PoisonSnake]

2B: It is just kindof what you and I were talking about the other day. Regulated doe harvest. In areas of Wisconsin and Pennsylvania, the unlimited harvest of does has really taken a toll on deer numbers according to hunters. I have been seeing that as well the last 2 years around here. When folks own small parcels of property and allow unlimited harvest, it does take a toll on deer numbers. I think the only way one could regulate it would be to own a section of land (640 acres) or for landowners to come together to set a plan in motion. I'm thinking we may do the later this year. Used to, where I would see 20 deer a day, I may now see a half dozen. It kindof depends upon where I hunt. For example, this year, the corn (about 1/4 mile away) is still standing. Our trails have pretty much dried up due to the killing, and I hope, deer being in the corn. But, I don't see near the numbers driving the road these days. I'm all for a healthy deer herd, but I like seeing them as well.



Now, I could still have killed plenty of deer. But, I'm just wondering what it is the future holds for deer in MO. I like the protection of young bucks for sure. But, I'm not so certain we can continue to have unlimited harvest in the fall, and farmers shooting the piss out of them in the spring and summer months. PS

[lonepine]

ya know PS the auto insurance co would lobby to kill them all, and maybe a few farmers. but a lot of people who farm like to see them to.I was seeing lots of deer also BUT after the gun season had a pair of cats move in and the deer moved out.

[Triton X2]

I agree PS....If you get to thinking about it, wouldn't it increase the deer herd more by having a healthy doe population...I guess I dont really understand what the main purpose is of the MDC by allowing unlimited killing of does. Wouldn't that ultimately also lower the number of bucks? North of Columbia, where we gun hunt, there has been less sightings of deer over the years...I kind of attributed it to the corn still in the fields, but I am not real convinced....

[Gutpile]

Up in Pike county the number of doe sighting are way down IMHO. Pike is always near the top in deer killed, with the focus on does I am a little concerned myself.

[Triton X2]

Okay, someone tell me what is the reason for the unlimited doe harvest? Is there an underlying reason, in example, the insurance companies?

[Great White Hunter]

I can guarantee that the top priority for insurance companies is not killing all the deer in Missouri....Smitty and I have discussed this at great length.

Do insurance companies pay a lot of money on deer claims, you bet, but not to the extent of trying to get the MDC to kill every deer.

[PoisonSnake]

All I know is that I am hearing several hunters complaining about the number of deer they are seeing these days versus 3 years back. I also am very aware that whatever it is the MDC tells us as hunters to do, you can bet we will do it. If they say you can shoot as many as you want, some hunters are gonna shoot every deer they see. Now, MDC has even published a statement along the lines of most hunters not taking more than a deer or 2 per year, so unlimited regs won't really change much. But, public land has been hammered by the doe harvests. MDC knows this too. Now, I am starting to see it on privately owned properties as well. The MDC is becoming aware of this also.

Here is my take on what should be done. Move firearm season to December and have no 9 day doe season. Change the regs back to where you could kill a maximum of 1 buck and 2 does per year with a firearm. Change the regs back to where a maximum of 7 deer total could be taken with a bow.

Now, here is what I don't understand. Why would a guy go out and kill a half dozen does in December only to give them to share the harvest? A big burly buck I can see being donated. I think S the H is a good thing and I have donated 4 or 5 deer to it. But, now this is just my opinion here, I don't think most of us are good Samaritans per sey, setting our goals each year to kill a dozen deer for the homeless shelters. A few of us hunters might be, but the majority I know just aren't that way. I like to eat the deer I kill.

Now, on a side note, I used to be one of the wonton killers. I'd kill 6 or 7 deer a year and give half of them away to friends. At that time, I had no vested interest in the deer herd in this state. Now, I own land, and would like to see deer around that property for the next several years to come. I guess I have grown up a bit. Oh, there will always be some, but I want it the way it was even 2 years ago.

[Triton X2]

I guess it is a personal preference if a person wants to kill umpteen deer in a season, but when does it become excessive? I eat the deer I kill, and since I have had to become my own butcher and packager of the kills i am lucky enough to get, I am not that much on killing a lot of deer during the season...If you do that for a period of time, wont the number of deer decline over time? I really am having some doubts about the unlimited harvest of does...
Snowflake, good point about the insurance cos. Then where does money for the MDC come into play for the tags, etc?

[hobiecat]

I have to admit when the MDC started this, I thought it was just a quick check to get the herd back in control. I was all for it. To my thinking, as limited as that might be, bringing the buck-to-doe ratio closer would increase buck movement during the rut, thereby giving me (like most, I am selfish about my hunting) a better chance at a good buck each year.

All things considered, I think we are there. I still think the MDC needs to push the "meat hunting for does" issue to keep hunters from slippin back into the "shoot anything with horns" mentality. However, with repect to unlimited tags... if they continue it for much longer, I feel they will be doing damage to the herd rather than helping it.

As much as it pains me to do so, I have to agree with PS. I think it's time to lower the limits back to the more reasonable levels he is suggesting. 2 does and a buck with a firearm is sufficient for most hunters, for those that want more... they should earn them with a bow. I just can't see any one hunter needing or using more than 10 deer in a year.