Wow, it's been a bad year.

[kevthebassman]

I just don't know what the deal is boys, I thought I had my huntin' spot all figured out.  We had an awesome year last year, but then this spring we had all those floods.  I hunt in the Meramec river bottoms, and we actually lost a nice shooting house and a blind.  After the floods, we saw a few decent bucks and plenty of does out in the bean field.

We had a pretty slow bow season, but we saw deer. 

On the first weekend of rifle season, I had three scrawny does come into range and present shots, and I passed on them.  Since then, I've had a grand total of one deer in range, and didn't get a shot on it.  Aside from the first three days of rifle season, I can count on one hand the number of deer I've seen in 7 days of hunting.

I just don't know what the dang deal is boys.  We didn't have a deer kill or anything that I know of, unless a great big pack of them got washed away by the flood, but the water didn't come up that fast.

[Ranger J]

Don't you know that it is the policy of the MDOC to reduce the numbers of deer?  We saw the same sort of thing around here and in other places that I have talked to hunters from.  I think that at last count the kill was down a little over 6 % and the big shots at MDOC are jubilant about this.  Less deer and higher permit prices and taking away the free permits for small land holders should do wonders for the popularity of the MDOC.  The MDOC seems to have been taken over by the 'big antler bunch' and to heck to the average hunter.  My 2 cents.

RJ

[kevthebassman]

I don't think it has anything to do with MDC, last year was an awesome year, and the year before that too, this year has been abysmal.  Unless they were out on our place doing some aerial gunnery this spring, I don't know how else to explain it other than the flooding and wet year.  There wasn't any signs of decline, just a sudden and dramatic dropoff in deer sightings.

[Ranger J]

We have seen a drastic  reduction in deer seen this year and we are in the Ozarks, no flood.  We did, however have two years where hunters were able to for $7 purchase an extra tag that had to be for antler less deer (does).  It doesn't take a genius to realize that if killing of does is encouraged the numbers of total deer the next year is going to be less.  I shot an 8 point buck that was chasing a doe this year and other than two does I flushed out of a brushy area while leaving my stand  (first day)for my car I did not see any other deer.  I can understand not seeing deer on the first day of season as it was cold and windy and the deer were smarter than the hunters and were lying up in thick cover.  The only changes I have seen the last few years is the doe permits and the antler restrictions, both of which take breeding females out of the general population.  Whether this would result in a drastic drop in the numbers of deer or not I don't know but you have to admit that it is at least a factor in having less deer.  The question is are you willing to see and shoot fewer deer so that those wanting to have 'quality' deer can perhaps shoot a buck with larger antlers.  Is larger antlers the only thing deer hunting is about or is there more to it than that.  Yes, I enjoy shooting a buck with large antlers if by chance one comes my way but I am also satisfied with a doe or a small buck if that is what the luck of the draw brings me.  Over the years I have found that no matter how long you marinade those antlers you can't get them tender enough to eat.

RJ

[TribReady]

Ranger J you summed it up perfectly.  I hunt Wisconsin but read this to see other state's opinions/hunting success.  kev, your results are also typical of what we've been seeing in WI.
Between the insurance companies lobbying for lower deer numbers and the DOC/DNR wanting lower numbers, eventually it will work.  We've had $2 doe tags for a few years now...like said, eventually it will take it's toll on overall numbers.

I shot 2 does this year, didn't even see a buck.  I saw few deer but can't complain...I'm blessed with a full freezer

[Ranger J]

I just brought my deer home from the butcher and I was hard pressed to find a place to put it in my freezer so I guess I shouldn't complain either.  The thing is I just like to see deer when I am hunting even if I don't get a shot at them.  One year back in Illinois I had only a bucks permit and 17 does and button bucks walked under my stand in a 6 day season but while frustrated I had a great time as I was seeing lots of deer.

RJ

[dukkillr]

I hunted the same place in the Ozarks that I've hunted for 15 years.  The second day of the season I had 25 deer sightings, the most I've ever had.  I hunted a total of 7 days during the rifle season and I've never been more encouraged by the Missouri deer herd.

The numbers being down just makes things better for next year.  The number of "I got my buck (spike)" guys was way down this year due to the increased number of counties with antler point restrictions.  More young bucks will be growing over the summer for next year.  Great news.

[Sharps-Nut]

Her in SW part of the state the numbers seem to be down, way down.  I teach school and usually get to hear of the harvest, not this year most are struggling.  I took my eight year old and never got a deer in his range.  Usually I can look at and pass on 8-12 deer opening morning, not this year, one.  The deer sign on my own 80 acres is just about 0.  We had blue tongue bad back during the drought years and the generous tag allowances have really smashed the numbers as far as I can see.  Our local deer processor is down 40% so I feel I can say it is bad in our county.  Bad eneogh I will pass on anyhting but a buck.  Not happy with the new regs, the not allowing free tags to the 6 acre land owner seems ok, but bringing all the way to 80 seems pretty tight assed.  Complain they claim they are listening, we wil see.  But on the upside I see very few smahed on 71 highway.  Just my opinion/ observations. 

[Tracer]

I heard the same thing from a couple friends who live in SW MO but in north central MO we saw the usual number of does daily.  I do have to comment that we saw more bucks this year than we have in many years.  Shot a doe for the freezer the first 10 minutes of the season and spent the rest of my time chasing a couple of nice 10 pointers.  Never had a decent shot on either but any day hunting is better than a day working in my book.  T