proposed rule change withdrawn

[olydraft]

      This is from WTHR news... Nov.26, 2010 4:04pm EST. read and enjoy. Gary




Indianapolis - An outcry over proposed changes to Indiana's deer-hunting rules has sent the state's wildlife agency back to the drawing board.

The Indiana Department of Natural Resources had been under pressure from lawmakers to cut the size of the state's deer population because the animals are eating crops and native plant life and are involved in a large number of collisions with cars.

But Eyewitness News partner The Indianapolis Star reports that the DNR's proposal to target more female deer upset some hunters. More than 3,000 hunters sent protest letters and 300 showed up at public hearings to discuss the Natural Resources Commission's proposal to add more "doe-hunting" days and reduce the more popular "buck-hunting days."

The panel has pulled its proposed rules and is reworking them. A new proposal is expected in January.

(Copyright © 2010 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This story may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press.)

[Dinny]

This is encouraging news! I just hope they don't think too hard about it.

Thanks, Dinny

[dieselman]

One thing I would not mind seeing is a rule on buck size (or age). I saw an 8 point buck one morn that his rack was so small didn't even stick out past his head only 6" long on each side maybe watched him walk around the prop line for about 20 min. He worked his rub line and up and over the hill and off my prop and two min later someone shot and he came back over and he piled up dead. Not that its wrong in any way but, he could have been a great buck, I was able to kill larger bucks 10 years ago then I have been able to see in the last 2 or 3. I'd like to see real big ones back again, not that they are not around just not as many around here as there has been.

[Lon371]

  I am tickled to death WOO HOOOO!. Down in  our end of the state there has been some really nice deer taken. But, at the same time I am hearing a lot of folks who have not seen hardly any deer or very few. Now this could be due to the weather, but I am not so sure about that.

 As far as putting in an age limit or antler size, I could probably handle that. This year I took a 3 point, spike on one side and short split tine on the other. Needed out of the gene pool. He had a size nice body on him so I did my part in heard management. If I would have seen more does I would have gladly helped out there. I seen one and brought her home.

 Anyhoo, now lets wait and see what kind of rules they try sneaking thru at the 3rd hour.

Lonny

[Old Syko]

One thing I would not mind seeing is a rule on buck size (or age). I saw an 8 point buck one morn that his rack was so small didn't even stick out past his head only 6" long on each side maybe watched him walk around the prop line for about 20 min.

How are you going to judge age of a deer in the field and how would it be regulated?  As an example, my FIL took a spike buck back when the season was bucks only that weighed 186# after being field dressed.  We had seen the deer for 3 years running.  He just never grew any headgear.  On the other side of the coin, I have a perfect 10 point rack that only weighed 137#.

[Dinny]

I have hunted on-base, there you can only take a deer that has 3 points or more on, at least, one side. That rule makes you pay a bit more attention before shooting. It's all about identification..... Maybe we could look at something like that.

Thanks, Dinny

[dieselman]

Down in GA where my brother-in-law lives it has to be at least 6pts and outside the ears. This would be a better judge of age not 100% but a good place to start. Now a way to weed out some of the odd balls, for the youth hunt any thing goes this will help get some of them odd balls out and give the youth some great storys. And if you buy your buck tag they give you one doe tag, that way it can be a win, win you don't have to loose $$ if you don't find a buck. I have read if you want to control the size of the heard you control the # of does, so why not the buy one get one (or two) free. These are just some things in my head I'll throw out and let it roll.

[Lon371]

I have hunted on-base, there you can only take a deer that has 3 points or more on, at least, one side. That rule makes you pay a bit more attention before shooting. It's all about identification..... Maybe we could look at something like that.

Thanks, Dinny

Dinny,
 do they just let the deformed deer go? Like the buck I shot this year, he had a 6" spike on one side and a split tine on the other. He was no little deer. How do they get them out of the heard?

Lonny

[Dinny]

I have hunted on-base, there you can only take a deer that has 3 points or more on, at least, one side. That rule makes you pay a bit more attention before shooting. It's all about identification..... Maybe we could look at something like that.

Thanks, Dinny

Dinny,
 do they just let the deformed deer go? Like the buck I shot this year, he had a 6" spike on one side and a split tine on the other. He was no little deer. How do they get them out of the heard?

Lonny

Lonny,
  I have been told, but have yet to see, the game warden allows certain deer to be taken certain years. But, otherwise, yes they just walk. Perhaps in the case of the State of Indiana, they could do a "selective season" where there could be less restrictions. i.e. muzzleloader or late archery season. There's less hunters during those times too.

Thanks, Dinny

[Lon371]

 Dinny

Perhaps in the case of the State of Indiana, they could do a "selective season" where there could be less restrictions. i.e. muzzleloader or late archery season

Now that would probably work. Except, I don't see trophy deer. Guess I would have to find a new place to hunt.

Lonny

[Hank in Indiana]

You guys can sure complicate things. How about a blind in one eye rule. At 100 yds in low light, thats about as easy as trying to age a deer.

[Mad Dog]

I tend to agree with Hank.  Individual properties may need more "rules", than others.  We have enough BS rules now to deal with.  I don't think we need statewide antler restrictions, to deal with it.  I have my own self-imposed rules for where I hunt....wider than his ears and 8 pts., but I don't impose that on others.  I took 3 does last yr., and zero bucks.  I have 3 does again, and zero bucks, unless something great happens in ML season.


Mad Dog

[Old Syko]

You guys can sure complicate things. How about a blind in one eye rule. At 100 yds in low light, thats about as easy as trying to age a deer.

Kinda what I was thinkin.  If the objective is to reduce the deer population (which it isn't) less restrictions will accomplish that and in short order.  If the objective is to cull animals with less than perfect headgear, killing off nice racks and does will have no positive effect at all.  The DNR's goal for years has been to increase the deer population with little regard for type, otherwise there wouldn't have been a buck only season for so many years.  That accomplished thinning of the available gene pool of larger stronger bucks.  This is why you see so many undesirable animals today.

[Lon371]

 Just making conversation guys. Honestly if they would just leave it alone,I would be happy I am one of those people who voted against change

Lonny

[dieselman]

I know that if you want to control the deer pop. you don't do it by killing off the bucks, one buck can (and will) do the nasty with more than one doe, you control the pop by how many does there are. I wish they would have leave things alone my self, I do like to get the chance to see or even shoot a nice buck though and with me only havin 11acr I don't shoot small bucks, fact is I won't shoot one smaller than my bigest one I've killed (8 point 14 7/8" inside), I've cooked antlers all ways you could think of and they taste like crap. The guy that has the property behind me though lets people from the big city come and kill what ever they want. I'd like my kids to know what a buck looks like not just a spike thing runnin through the woods. If ya got to make changes do it for the better long term wise, not short term we'll fix it later when things don't go the way we want.

[goofyoldfart]

While I have not been able to hunt for the last few years, I have been improving in stamina and the ability to get back in the field again (though, I may have to have a safety partner) , I would be VERY satisfied with a doe. To me, any and every deer is a trophy. the mere fact that i was able to make it to the animal and score on it's terms, well that is what makes it a trophy. Herd control and larger bucks mean taking out more does and using common sense in self restraint on the buck issue.  HMMM--did I just use the word "common sense" in that last sentence? that is the key to the WHOLE problem. Just my 2 cents and we ALL Know that us old farts are just loaded with opinions, Now don't we.  


ETA: This is really a BUMP as this is an older thread, But this IS an important issue and I don't think it is too late to discuss at this time.

[srussell]

the problem you have with killing antler,less deer is the number of little bucks you kill. my in laws had a check station and the last year they were there the antler,less ratio was about 50/50 on does and button bucks with no way of telling them apart

[bigbird09]

Really it wouldn't bother me any.  You can't eat the bone so I'm not really particular if I shoot a doe or a buck.  Usually first season here in IL I'll will be a little more picky, but usually shoot the first thing that walks buy unless its a tiny yearling, then I will let it pass.  I think there should be more restrictions for gun hunters, and make the bone hunters go to bow,  but then again the past 2 monsters taken from this area where both during gun season.

[goofyoldfart]

"Really it wouldn't bother me any.  You can't eat the bone so I'm not really particular if I shoot a doe or a buck.  Usually first season here in IL I'll will be a little more picky, but usually shoot the first thing that walks buy unless its a tiny yearling, then I will let it pass.  I think there should be more restrictions for gun hunters, and make the bone hunters go to bow,  but then again the past 2 monsters taken from this area where both during gun season."
bigbird09:  that's probably due to the fact most of the city hunters don't know how to use a Bow or Muzzle loader . LOL. .  OK, I got my flame proof (asbestoes) panties on.   God Bless to all.

                                   Goofyoldfart

[EOD3]

Maybe what's needed is a campaign to shoot "ugly deer" with misshapen racks.  Have a prize for the "mutt" of the season.   

[Dinny]

Maybe what's needed is a campaign to shoot "ugly deer" with misshapen racks.  Have a prize for the "mutt" of the season.   

My friends and I already do this. We still get a few stupid looking deer on our property, but not like it was 5 years ago.


Thanks, Dinny