6 February Traveling First Year Members...[name deleted] 167 that had 14 points shot in [location deleted]...[location deleted] 183 that should net b+c. its a main frame 10 with split brow tines just a trophy in any body's book...
The wow effect is full. Congratulations on two fine deer on your first MAHA hunt. That puts the pressure on us for this fall. Thank you for sending in your pictures.
5 February Missouri Deer ChangesReference to the Missouri deer hunting regulation changes recommended for posting to the update page by several members back on 8 January we have had subsequent feedback from several they did take the time to send in their comments to the MDC. Posted below are one member's comments as an alternative to the ideas expressed on that 8 January update. For those that would like to send further comments to the MDC use this link http://www.mdc.mo.gov/events/forums/deer/comments.cgi
Change the Dates-North
First I would like to state that I do not support opening the seasons later for one primary reason, moving the antlerless only firearms portion into October. This interrupts some of the best times for bow hunting and if the bow season runs in conjunction with this, the MDC has created a tremendous opportunity for unethical hunters to break the law and simply telecheck mature bucks as bow kills. If the opportunity to cheat is there, unethical people will do it, and the MDC has given them the opportunity to legally carry a rifle into the field making the illegal harvest of bucks easy. I would suggest the MDC leave the antlerless only season in place ( or eliminate it) and move the season dates and monitor the kill data for a couple years before adopting such wholesale changes. If people need more time in the field, simply lengthen the season and give them more opportunity to take the buck they are looking for; and shoot some does as well. Hunters in the northern counties can kill all the does they want right now and are doing it in the highly populated counties around the center part of the state as shown in the state’s presentation. The state could give people more time to hunt (2 full weeks of gun season) and may find out that folks will shoot more deer or wait to harvest better bucks. The numbers of projected antlerless deer harvested the state presented for the NW portion is in counties that have fewer people, however, the actual numbers harvested were only slightly below estimated kills (less than 10 percent). This does not appear to be a material difference given the demographics of the region. Also, I have noticed a considerable decrease of doe sightings in the following counties for the last 3 seasons (Linn, Livingston, Saline, Gentry, Harrison).
The MDC's presentation mentioned killing more does in October will cut down on deer vehicle accidents. This may be so the first year hunters start shooting does in October but if the desired number of deer are killed later; this would adjust in a couple of years and be a wash. Also, I don't feel that insurance companies should be influencing wildlife practices when they do not contribute financially to the cause. This is bad medicine. Deer/vehicle accidents are unavoidable and a long range option is much better than a quick fix issue that disrupts seasons, creates opportunities to break the law and possibly undermines efforts to increase quality of the herd.
4 Point rule-North
I have noticed a dramatic increase in the numbers of racked deer in these counties (8 points and better). However, I do understand the issues with this about killing the best first since the gun season is in the rut. States like IA and IL do not have this and have great quality but have late firearms seasons. Also, these states do not have antlerless only firearm seasons in October either; and if they do, it is very limited (very short and Muzzleloader only) and if you kill your buck, you are done for the season. The four point rule is a good start given the current structure and should be expanded in portions of the state that are agricultural.
Here are some thoughts and possible inputs for future changes from another perspective.
I hunt in Arkansas and can kill my deer (3) not to exceed 2 bucks all methods combined. I can also kill them all in the same day but when I get my three I am done. What if we gave everyone this option and either do away with or further restrict the number of antlerless only tags that can be purchased, change the season dates to open gun season later and manage it on a county level? The MDC has the ability to do this very easy and much better than other states because of the small zones or units (counties). Also, this gives hunters the flexibility to take deer given personal schedules or vacations. Personally, I would never pick up a gun in MO if I had this option. However, I would have the opportunity to take 2 bucks with a gun if by chance I was not able to bow hunt. I know some folks think that the bow hunters will kill all the bucks, but truly they make very little impact. I think the one buck before and one buck after gun season is antiquated and I kill more does than bucks anyway to help manage the health of the herd.
Look at Kentucky, one buck period. I would support this as well. Adds to quality, plenty of hunting time and you have to kill some does if you want meat. Again, the antlerless tags would have to have some restriction.
These are just some thoughts and as a former MO resident, I know the MDC will act with the best interest of all parties in mind and move carefully with proper biological data and input. Changes in the state are a little slower than others, however, they seem to be well thought out and positive. February 2008 Updates page 1 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 |
