Governor and AG Positions-Deer Plan
Minnesota
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Now that about 1/2 of the Governor and AG candidates have self imploded, what do MN bowhunters think about the proposed deer plan?? Will the election make any difference in the actual implementation of the plan?? Its only about 50+ pages with multiple appendixes but might be worth the read and submitting comments. That is if our elected officials don't screw it up with their normal nonsense and back room deals.
They will screw it up somehow..
See the South Dakota handbook and just copy that... all will be good then.
"They will screw it up somehow.."
I agree 100%, but that still won't stop me from attending the meeting in Cambridge Wednesday night to give 'em my .02! At least I can sleep better knowing I had the opportunity to talk even when we know full well they could give two shits what any of us have to say..
To me, the whole idea of a deer plan based on how many will be harvested each year is just plain silly. I can't see how that makes any sense. The goal should be to maintain a stable deer herd and use hunting as a tool to maintain the population. The goal of a pre-set deer harvest is laughable. In order to maintain a stable herd, some years will require more deer to be harvested and some less.
The fact is that weather plays a huge role in size of the deer herd and that is not something that can be planned for or controlled in any way, shape or form. The last couple of years, for instance, has seen relatively mild winters over much of Minnesota and that has led to increases in the deer herd. Therefore, more deer will need to be harvested over much of the state to prevent over population. Now, if we get a few hard winters, then deer harvest may need to be decreased in upcoming years. Likewise, if the winters continue to be mild and the deer population continues to increase, then the harvest may need to be increased even more. Realistically, the deer harvest could range from anywhere between 150,000 to 250,000 animals a year depending on the deer population trends.
The yearly goal of 200,000 animals seems to completely ignore reality and appears to made up in some sort of imaginary world where people can control everything. It just makes no sense to me at all.
Bottom line is here in Minnesota the land can support a deer population far greater than what the DNR's goal is...and if it can't then one of two things can/will happen...some will die either by old man winter or by increased hunter kill. I ask, what difference does it matter how they die if the DNR doesn't want them in the first place?!? How can you feel sad for the death of an animal you don't want?? Give us more, we'll kill more, and the post-kill population can still remain the same. And let's clear up one more thing...the DNR doesn't "manage" for deer so much as they throw darts and try something new every few years. FACT.