I have voiced my opinions numerous times in the past and the only feed back I got was that I am a "bar stool biologist". That would be great if I sat at a bar and drank. But I don't. I guess the 57 bucks and 23 does I have taken in the last 39 years here in Michigan makes me uninformed of the issues.
For residents comparing he good old days......it may be tough to find many that say it has improved in the traditional "good" states.
Private property rights are private. Not meant to be open for public approval.
My experience of OK is skewed because I hunt 2,400 private acres of heaven. Only family hunts it and I am one of the few friends who do. Deer every where and a true shot at seeing a Booner. Plus hogs, ducks, turkeys, etc.
So my experience with OK is different than the public land guy.
I will say residents are always more jaded about their situation. I was shocked to see the MA guys so upbeat about their state. I had some sweet land to hunt but also hunted some public land - it's not easy. Most guys count their sightings on their hands.
Love this and as a data guy would love a few more questions for next year.
Here is my NJF&G "king for a day" proposal (copied from an older post), and it's heavily geared toward separating REVENUE from MANAGEMENT, because the current system sucks at both and is perpetually confusing, convoluted, and overly beaurocratic at best.
The very concept of "permit bow" is stupid.... Just charge more for a bow license, what percentage of bow hunters are NOT doing permit bow? Has to be miniscule. Here is my final proposal: 1) You have to buy a hunting license to hunt "anything" in NJ... NON-REZ needs to be much higher. The license itself, is not weapon specific, it covers all weapons (but based on season, you need to have proof of hunter safety for gun or bow). If they still want to offer "all around" at a discount - fine, but it does not include ability shoot any deer unless permit process is followed as below:
2) DEER PERMIT EITHER SEX (up to two flexible tags to be used at hunters discretion.) If you want two - you have to buy them both "together". Price is TBD - perhaps $40 each for rez, $120 for non-rez? These permits are not zone-specific but each zone will have its own bag limits.
3) DEER PERMIT ANTLERLESS. Much lower in price - lets say $5 rez, $25 non-rez. These are not zone specific, but each DMZ will set it's own limits. If you want to shoot multiple antlerless in one day, and not burn your 'either sex' tag, you must have pre-purchased 2 or more antlerless tags. Based on DMZ limits, you would pre-purchase accordingly as to your plans and needs.
4) Bow season starts late September / Early October based on how the weekend hits, and ends last Sunday in January. (some prefer early September for chance to get velvet buck - I am ok with that as well)
5) Bag limits are set as per DMZ based on sound "management" principals. With the permit system is place - all confusion is gone, and it's very easy to figure out and bag limits span ALL SEASONS. Since there is a maximum of two "either sex" allowed, bag limits really will just need to govern "antlerless" quotas per DMZ. There should never be the worlds "unlimited" ever written into any bag limit language again.
6) Shotgun season stays as is for the "traditional" week. As stated, antlerless bag limits will be set as per DMZ. Some may allow antlerless to be taken concurrent to 6-day, some DMZs may not. Some DMZs may allow an additional 2 days of shotgun the following Friday/Saturday after 6-day ends and that is ALL for shotgun. Put the guns away after this.
7) Muzzeloader season opens Monday after Thanksgiving, as it has traditionally and runs the usual 2 days. Some DMZs may allow up to an additional 7 days of muzzy, ending 12/31. (nothing in January).
This system has something for everyone, and it greatly simplifies the process and if properly priced could maintain current revenue stream, and would not impede the hunter that "needs" to put 12 deer in their freezer every season but would limit that rare breed that needs to kill 6 bucks... And hey - if it were even remotely possible or enforceable, button bucks would require an "either sex" tag and not an antlerless, but I doubt that would pass because it would probably result in too many untagged buttons or left to rot in woods for all those "mistakes" made by those that for whatever reason, either refuse to look and study before they shoot or have no clue how to tell the difference...
I firmly believe this system is the perfect compromise of quality/quantity if properly executed and managed.
The biggest farce in current limits on antlerless that went from "unlimited" down to 9, or 5, is that it resets with the next season or permit season. That easily allows someone to still shoot well over 30 antlerless. My proposal just limits your individual quota per zone and covers all seasons. The F&G Database could be easily designed to track each hunters quotas per DMZ.
IN SUMMARY - antlerless quotas are PER SEASON and completely removed from permit to permit to permit. Seasons are indeed devised for revenue, but quotas span all seasons combined. 2 Flexible buck tags (defined as either sex, like Ohio) - that's all you get - use them as you wish. (including youth - start demonstrating some restraint while they are young, and what youngster would not be ecstatic with 2 bucks in one year anyway?)
There was still an ocean of corn in during the rut. In my experience, when that happens I see a lot less rut activity in the timber. But who knows for sure. Some guys figured it out, cuz there were some giants shot with bows and friend found a 215 inch (gross) typical dead during 2nd shotgun. So they are here.
Also some guy named Jack Mehoff gave a Wisconsin report. You might wanna toss that one Lefemine. ??
Not so...my wall, trail cam pics and unfilled tags are proof!
Maybe you were sending me a message? ;)
Charlie, in this extreme cold I usually only see deer in the evenings. At least for me they appear to bed before first light when the temps drop a little more.
Gonna be 3 below Friday morning for my next hunt. Creeks froze so I get to ice skate up it to get to the back door of the bedding area.
Can we please get a pic of you with bow in hand, on ice skates heading up the creek (without a paddle). ???
PA has come a long way. I see someone posted the new record buck in another thread. I'm thrilled with where PA is going. We won't ever be Iowa but still we are on our way up!
