Graybeard Outdoors (GBO Reloaded)
State, Regional, Country Specific Forums => Michigan Region => Topic started by: Lloyd Smale on November 26, 2009, 01:52:13 AM
-
I had to run down state yesterday to pick up the step son at central. They had a sign at the toll both that the dear count as of yesterday was down 39 percent from this time last year. Pretty sad guys!
-
Wisconsin is way down too Lloyd. I'm not sure if its the entire reason for the low deer count in both states, but perhaps we need a Holocaust season proclaimed on a certain species of predator that takes way more deer each year than we do.
-
A guy in Iron County, from Green Bay, tried to set the example. Course he wasn't too smart in taking care of the evidence..... ::) Maybe next year they will have a wolf Kill talley at the bridge. Hunters 3000 deer. Wolves 6000 deer and counting.....................................
Long
-
How can they compare the count to last year? I remember reading that they lost track of the count after the first few days of the season last year.
I'm almost positive on this, however I'm relying on memory so it's possible it was the year before last.
Having said that, 39 percent doesn't surprise me - we've had a couple of fairly harsh winters in a row, plus the wolf numbers are out of control. And who knows how many the "non-breeding" population of cougars gets!
Remember the DNR forecast for this year's UP deer season - "about the same as last year, or possibly down slightly"?
-
Awful dumb way of counting deer but it show a pattern.
-
What is amazing with MI's counting system is the total lack of any credible numbers from which you can intelliently extrapolate meaningful harvest data for the entire State. If someone wanted information on the use of the SWAG method for gathering date, then MI would be the prime example!
Here in the very southern end of MI I think our numbers are also down, but not due to wolves, and probably not 39%. However, coyotes are everywhere, and you know what they can do to the fawn crop each year.
Arch
-
I found 4 fawn skulls out back on my place this week.
I think another big reason for the low kill is the mild weather and the abundace of food. Normally any apple that hits the ground is gone. Not this year. The ground under the trees is littered with them and the only bait they seem interested in here is corn. I saw four deer the other evening simply grazing on a hay field within 150 yards of two blinds and bait piles.
Pete
-
Hogwash!
I shot two deer this season so far and noone is counting them for the numbers.
yooper77
-
Yooper--that's my point. From what method, other than SWAG, does the DNR arrive at their kill numbers? If they are from a make-believe world, then the assumptions they make in order to manage our wildlife must also be from a make-believe source as well.
By the way, congratulations on the two deer. ;)
Arch
-
Thank you, theoldarcher. I have been lucky this year.
First one is a 6 point buck from Oct 31, 2009 bow season, with 28 year old 65 lb Bear Brown Bear bow, 2219 aluminum Easton arrows and Cabelas 125 grain broad head at 12 yards in a tree stand. My first bow buck he ran about 80 yards, took him in the neck down through the front shoulder.
Second one is a adult doe from Nov 26, 2009 rifle (private land owner antlerless license) season with Weatherby Mark V Ultra Lightweight in 338-06 A-Square, Leupold VX-III 3.5-10x40 scope with Nosler/Winchester 200 grain silver ballistic tip bullet, IMR-4320 powder, Remington 30-06 Springfield once fired brass and Winchester large rifle primers. 125 yards sitting on the ground, one shot through the heart she rolled over and never moved.
Last one is a young doe from Nov 28 2009 with Ford F-150 truck/deer accident, reported to the local sheriff and was able to take her home with a carcass permit. No real damage, just a cracked plastic license plate holder. 55 MPH brakes applied, but couldn't miss her.
I still have a buck tag left for muzzleloader (Dec 4 – 13, 2009) season or buck or doe for archery (Dec 1, 2009 - Jan 1, 2010) season.
yooper77
-
Yooper,
Perhaps you'd consider posting those nice pics in the Michigan Trophy Picture thread. ;) Well, maybe not the one taken with the Ford, but the others would be great. :)
-
Skunk,
I didn't know about it, but I think I will.
yooper77
-
Thanks Yooper, that would be great to have your pics on that thread.
-
Hey, Yooper 77, How many foot pounds of energy @ 55 mph with an F-150 to kill that beast?
-
ihookem,
Yea, I don’t know how to measure that, I am glad I had enough.
yooper77
-
Yopper77, my 95 Chevy mushroom(expanded) a little more on a 2x2 buck at about 55mph. I was in the middle freeway lane and the buck flew like rag doll about a 100 feet to the left landing in the center divider. Insurance company paid $1600 and I paid the deductable.
I called the Highway Patrol to let them know where they could find the State's deer.
Like the old Silvertip the 6700-GVW rig has a very solid impact. :o