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Post by buckvelvet on Sept 17, 2019 8:32:57 GMT -6
Hey Gents, I've always enjoyed talking with you guys. I don't care about deer size or deer pictures that you may have. I am more inquiring about the outlook of MN & WI this year as we get close to our seasons. Do you feel stagnant in your outlook, maybe more positive, or does it look even bleaker?
We just came through our Youth Hunt weekend everyone can't do anything until October 1st (archery). They took away our ability to bait deer this year, and put some MAPRs in the CWD zone, all of the science the MIDNR is using is very convoluted and I don't trust their judgement. Ted Nugent (like or hate him he's a big public voice for us in Michigan) is testifying on we the hunters behalf at the state capital today. We have a large organization called the MUCC that is the reason the bait ban was put in force, they have deep pockets and politically influenced out state officials to make that call.
I don't need to hunt over bait I just really enjoyed since I was 16 going into the woods and putting it out in remote locations on public and private properties, I've just always enjoyed the process. The deer don't need my apples but I thoroughly enjoyed putting them out for some unexplained reasons. It's just another factor that brought joy to my outdoor/hunting experience, not necessarily enhancing any kind of hunting success just my enjoyment of the process.
They bumped our doe tags to 7,000 on private land alone in our county, there are still over 1300 available and they've been on sale for over a week. They used to sell out in a matter of hours but the laws, new regs, and ridiculous amount of tags have waned enthusiasm. Not to mention our hunters numbers are down considerably in our state over the past 10 years.
Deer camp traditions are dead, I do a get together with my friends the night before the rifle opener because I try to hold on to the coat tails of yesteryear when everyone seemed to enjoy hunting and times were simpler. I miss those camps and the fun times had but I still enjoy hunting just like I did when I was younger it's just time seems allow the want to, to fade in my hunting partners.
My enjoyment has never come because of what I killed or the size of my buddies buck, it's always been time spent in the outdoors with friends & family having some very funny times while the hunt unfolds.
I am looking forward to my hunting season like I do every year but a little piece of it as a whole seems to die a bit more every year as traditions continue to fade to black & white.
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Post by buckvelvet on Sept 17, 2019 8:51:44 GMT -6
I forgot to mention just last week they fired and/or transferred the head of our DNR because of all the upheaval. Times are wild in this state of Michigan when it comes to deer hunting.
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Post by Bwoods11 on Sept 17, 2019 9:40:14 GMT -6
That is interesting about the changes. Hunter numbers being down.
In Mn the prospects look good for my situation in 19. My concern is that other parts of the state have issues. Our DNR has done nothing to improve hunting, just added more seasons and more tags. The CWD/EHD situation does not help. At this point I’ll just do the best I can do with the situation.
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Post by sd51555 on Sept 17, 2019 9:45:35 GMT -6
In my part of the country, deer numbers are pretty good. I think this is why you see MN going with the total shithammer tag regs to the herd any place there are decent deer numbers. They are at a low point in their ability to influence people. Between the sport starting to peter out and people getting a full off-season dose of "CWD will kill us all," the DNR could have a mess on their hands if they can't keep guys on the triggers.
They're not ready to take over herd control just yet. That may have been their fatal error in planning a CWD hoax non-hunter herd reduction.
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Post by batman on Sept 17, 2019 9:55:46 GMT -6
They are at a low point in their ability to influence people. Between the sport starting to peter out and people getting a full off-season dose of "CWD will kill us all," the DNR could have a mess on their hands if they can't keep guys on the triggers. They're not ready to take over herd control just yet. That may have been their fatal error in planning a CWD hoax non-hunter herd reduction. I hope you are right. Maybe that should be the covert campaign. "Man dies after touching deer without full length rubber gloves on. Witnesses claim his brain immediately began oozing out of both ears and he bled to death after biting off his own tongue." |
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Post by smsmith on Sept 17, 2019 10:13:35 GMT -6
I've tried to pretty much ignore anything related to deer at the state level. I find I'm happier that way.
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Post by buckvelvet on Sept 17, 2019 10:56:57 GMT -6
I've tried to pretty much ignore anything related to deer at the state level. I find I'm happier that way. I would love the head in the sand approach but all the changes further handcuff me so if I don't want to break the law I have to pay attention as the wind brings in more laws every season here I swear.  |
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Post by smsmith on Sept 17, 2019 11:00:47 GMT -6
I've tried to pretty much ignore anything related to deer at the state level. I find I'm happier that way. I would love the head in the sand approach but all the changes further handcuff me so if I don't want to break the law I have to pay attention as the wind brings in more laws every season here I swear. Oh, there are changes every year here too. I follow the laws, I just don't spend much time worrying about them. No more salt/mineral stations here as of 9/1/19. Pisses me off, but there isn't shit I can do about it....so, oh well |
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Post by Sandbur on Sept 17, 2019 11:26:07 GMT -6
I am excited for time in the woods to sit and read a book. We have decent deer numbers.
I hope my wife can get a nice buck this year. My oldest daughter has shot some nice ones and is eager to go, but there is college and a part time job to contend with.
Our goals a couple of young deer for the freezer and something older if the opportunity comes along.
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Post by batman on Sept 17, 2019 12:07:41 GMT -6
Our goals a couple of young deer for the freezer and something older if the opportunity comes along. You say that every year and then shoot the first 4 year old that comes in! |
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Post by buckvelvet on Sept 17, 2019 12:12:59 GMT -6
I would love the head in the sand approach but all the changes further handcuff me so if I don't want to break the law I have to pay attention as the wind brings in more laws every season here I swear. Oh, there are changes every year here too. I follow the laws, I just don't spend much time worrying about them. No more salt/mineral stations here as of 9/1/19. Pisses me off, but there isn't shit I can do about it....so, oh well
That I can 100% get behind, why do they want to hamper our interest in the sport, they have grocery $ because we buy tags, doing things to discourage that seems counter productive. I get it Stu, I truly do.
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Post by honker on Sept 17, 2019 12:20:34 GMT -6
What does everyone think about the youth season expansion in Mn? Looks like it is state wide this year as opposed to special zones. First time for my zone, unless I read it wrong last year. I like the idea, but it also changes the tradition of deer camp if the kid tagged out a few weeks earlier. I do like the idea of letting the kids start out in better weather with some dumber deer though.
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Post by sd51555 on Sept 17, 2019 12:44:50 GMT -6
What does everyone think about the youth season expansion in Mn? Looks like it is state wide this year as opposed to special zones. First time for my zone, unless I read it wrong last year. I like the idea, but it also changes the tradition of deer camp if the kid tagged out a few weeks earlier. I do like the idea of letting the kids start out in better weather with some dumber deer though. Seems counterproductive. If u were gonna make a sneak attack on the population, u need to send all the troops at once like on gun opener. I’ll probably take the boy out for the youth season and see if I can’t put him on one. |
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Post by benmnwi on Sept 17, 2019 12:46:48 GMT -6
What does everyone think about the youth season expansion in Mn? Looks like it is state wide this year as opposed to special zones. First time for my zone, unless I read it wrong last year. I like the idea, but it also changes the tradition of deer camp if the kid tagged out a few weeks earlier. I do like the idea of letting the kids start out in better weather with some dumber deer though. Seems counterproductive. If u were gonna make a sneak attack on the population, u need to send all the troops at once like on gun opener. I’ll probably take the boy out for the youth season and see if I can’t put him on one. The boy? |
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Post by sd51555 on Sept 17, 2019 12:49:28 GMT -6
Seems counterproductive. If u were gonna make a sneak attack on the population, u need to send all the troops at once like on gun opener. I’ll probably take the boy out for the youth season and see if I can’t put him on one. The boy?  |
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