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Post by Sasquatch on Nov 28, 2010 17:05:11 GMT -5
A response by Hornharvester on another thread got me to thinking about park/ military reduction hunts:
"You want to see the meaning of chaotic? Saturday we watched 350 trucks try and get out of a parking lot at the same time. We sat and waited until all the trucks were gone both days. I can not believe the way some of those guys acted. Some of these guys drove over yellow flagging tape the base had strung up to keep them from parking on new grass they recently planted and parked their trucks on the grass any way. It was a pathetic sight indeed. h.h."
On any reduction hunt, about 10% of the hunters act dumb enough to potentially ruin things for all hunters.
These oafs leave flagging tape and empty doe pee containers all over the woods when they leave. They try and take other hunter's deer. They set up their stand right next to yours. They come in and set up a stand the morning of the hunt. ( this wouldn't be so bad, except for the people that do it usually try their best to do so next to someone already hunting) Then, on the other side of the spectrum from the hunt-right-next-to-you hunters are the guys that think they have a particular spot reserved. Then there are the guys that stand around at the check-in area loudly talking about passing deer, which is perfectly fine everywhere else, but not on a reduction hunt; and if you do it just be quiet about it! Clifty has threatened EAB already because of overly talkative cherry pickers. Boy, wouldn't that be stupid if the first deer past was some giant and you had to let it go because a doe hadn't been past yet.
In the springtime, non-hunters walk the trails and see five tinks bottles and ten miles of flagging tape before they fall in a rut left by a giant truck that parked in a soft spot. I wonder what they think of hunters when they leave?
The really bad part about all this is that 90% of hunters don't act this way, but we all suffer the consequences of those that do.
Lets all be "ambassadors for the sport."
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Post by throbak on Nov 28, 2010 18:04:14 GMT -5
the WORST thing I have Run across is the s...t Paper left at the parking spots. I have worked the hunts at BOKNWR. and guys dig a hole and bury it PLEASE
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Post by Sasquatch on Nov 28, 2010 18:16:21 GMT -5
the WORST thing I have Run across is the s...t Paper left at the parking spots. I have worked the hunts at BOKNWR. and guys dig a hole and bury it PLEASE !  |
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Post by daviesshunter on Nov 28, 2010 18:47:22 GMT -5
I've never done a reduction hunt...so THANKS for advising why I wouldn't want too.  |
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Post by Sasquatch on Nov 28, 2010 18:55:35 GMT -5
I've never done a reduction hunt...so THANKS for advising why I wouldn't want too. It's not all bad... I have had some very good hunts. Like I said, most people behave, encourage each other, and just have a good time. The way I look at it is that we are thinning the herd to help preserve the habitat, and if I get a deer I have helped in that regard. |
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Post by firehawk1 on Nov 28, 2010 18:56:22 GMT -5
I've been picked to hunt Shades State Park 4 times. I hunted 3 of them but work kept me from the 4th. All I can say is if you want meat, there is no easier way to get it.
Personally it wouln't bother me if the park hunts were doe only. The first year they hunted Brown County didn't they saw the antlers off any bucks taken in an effort to encourge hunters to take only does?
I agree with the OP's take on some hunters. Some are real pigs. Another reason I don't like to be in crowded places, most not all people act like animals anymore.
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Post by wileyonetoo on Nov 28, 2010 18:56:41 GMT -5
I have never been on a deer reduction hunt but did participate in a put-n-take pheasant hunt at Atterbury. That was the most unsafe hunt I have EVER been on. Even though folks had "assigned" areas to hunt, it seemed like they hunted wherever they pleased.
To start the hunt some guys drove down the road in an old Dodge truck releasing birds as they drove by. As soon as it was "time", a bunch of these jokers jumped in the wood-line and started blasting away. We had pellets dropping on us and all around us. Guys came flying in shooting over everyone else's heads.
We did stay and hunt but I have never been back. I sent an e-mail to the DNR and gave them feedback on our experience. I did receive and very quick response and was told that their process would be reviewed. I told them that for an organization that promotes hunter safety, this fell far short of being safe.
Sorry if this hijacked your thread. It seemed to go right along with my only DNR hunt experience. I won't consider another DNR sponsored hunt because of my one experience.
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Post by Decatur on Nov 28, 2010 19:00:42 GMT -5
I'm sure if they made them doe only, participation would be WAY down.
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Post by lugnutz on Nov 28, 2010 19:07:23 GMT -5
Reduction hunts are just another DNR cash cow. They could care less about herd size in these parks, its all about the $$$.
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Post by Sasquatch on Nov 28, 2010 19:07:46 GMT -5
[Personally it wouln't bother me if the park hunts were doe only. The first year they hunted Brown County didn't they saw the antlers off any bucks taken in an effort to encourge hunters to take only does?
No, it was an attempt to pacify the anti-hunting crowd. It would be a very bad idea to reinstate, because it hurts hunting recruitment. Although I have never taken a buck on a park hunt, I would not participate if I did not have the chance if it presented itself...that's just silly. While you are there to shoot the first deer that walks by, if that deer is a huge buck, it's your lucky day and you should be able to take him.
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Post by West28 on Nov 28, 2010 19:33:12 GMT -5
I personally enjoy them... I shoot the first deer I see for the freezer and enjoy the chance at a buck. They're not for everyone, it's on a volunteer basis so don't volunteer if you can't handle what comes with the hunts. The DNR do their best to make them a positive experience.
I would like for them to keep better notes/records. If you don't show up after being drawn you should'nt be drawn for future hunts.
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Post by shinglemonkey on Nov 28, 2010 19:35:53 GMT -5
Reduction hunts are just another DNR cash cow. They could care less about herd size in these parks, its all about the $$$. Tell me how reduction hunts are a cash cow for the DNR? |
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Post by vwthing74 on Nov 28, 2010 19:45:13 GMT -5
Going on my first reduction hunt in the morning at Potato Creek State Park. I am looking forward to it as my hunting so far this year has been terrible. I only have access to state land so I cannot use my bonus antlerless tag - so far have had to watch more than 12 does walk right past me....sucks; especially when the state thinks we need to reduce the herd: I don't get it? Anyway, I set my treestand up last Saturday and put red flags on it and my path leading to it so I hope no one has set up too close to me in the last week. As far as the comment above about it being another way for the DNR to make money - this isn't costing me a dime. All I had to do when applying online for the hunt was to have a valid firearms lisence. They aren't charging a gate fee or for any other lisences. Hopefully I can get some meat in the freezer by Tuesday night. Good luck everyone.
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Post by softcraw1 on Nov 28, 2010 20:20:14 GMT -5
I personally enjoy them... I shoot the first deer I see for the freezer and enjoy the chance at a buck. They're not for everyone, it's on a volunteer basis so don't volunteer if you can't handle what comes with the hunts. The DNR do their best to make them a positive experience. I would like for them to keep better notes/records. If you don't show up after being drawn you should'nt be drawn for future hunts. I certainly dont agree with that! my son was drawn for atterbury for this morning but since he was up all night throwing up we didnt go so I don't see why we should be penalized next year circumstance's sometimes can not be helped |
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Post by hornharvester on Nov 28, 2010 20:27:35 GMT -5
I like reduction hunts and participate in them. Ive hunted Atterbury several times and had good success but the last few times the area we've hunted hasn't produced. The deer sign is just not there like it was.
When the DNR ran the check in-on on the outside of the base they had guys line up for the areas they wanted to hunt and checked each area in one at a time, then you left for the base. Now they check in everyone in a big building on the base, have a meeting about the rules, then release all the hunters at once. It was chaotic to say the least as most all the hunters were trying to get out of a parking lot at once. Sunday they did have a MP directing traffic at the exit. I imagine next year they will do it differently.
If you count all three days the harvest percent would be in the high teens, not very good in my opinion. 1 out of 7 hunters taking a deer isn't worth the long drive for me. Someone else can have my spot from now on. h.h.
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Post by firehawk1 on Nov 28, 2010 20:35:02 GMT -5
[Personally it wouln't bother me if the park hunts were doe only. The first year they hunted Brown County didn't they saw the antlers off any bucks taken in an effort to encourge hunters to take only does?No, it was an attempt to pacify the anti-hunting crowd. It would be a very bad idea to reinstate, because it hurts hunting recruitment. Although I have never taken a buck on a park hunt, I would not participate if I did not have the chance if it presented itself...that's just silly. While you are there to shoot the first deer that walks by, if that deer is a huge buck, it's your lucky day and you should be able to take him. Don't get me wrong, I'm not against taking a buck in a park hunt. If for instance it was proposed, I would be against it. If a monster showed up I assure you I would not hesitate to take him! ;D Kind of "I'm not saying, I'm just saying". ;D |
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Post by swamprat on Nov 28, 2010 20:37:10 GMT -5
I have attended several Potatoe Creek and Tippecanoe hunts. In general i thought the DNR ran them fairly decently. I had a couple of issues though. One as mentioned earlier. Other guys setting up right on top of you after you have had your own stand up a week earlier. The other happened to me at Tippy. I had my stand up a week prior to the hunt. The morning of i got to my stand as any other time. As i was sitting in it i kept smelling this terrible smell. I realized it was comming from my gloves and boots. I had found that someone during the week had put axle grease on my climing pole. I did report it but there wasnt much they could do.
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Post by whitetaildave24 on Nov 28, 2010 20:46:43 GMT -5
The whole release of the hunters at Atterbury was a mess. We sat in the parking lot for a good 35 minutes just waiting for things to clear out so we could get started to our area. It didn't really bother me all that much as I wanted it to be a little light when we were walking in as it was a totally new area.
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Post by fowlhunter on Nov 28, 2010 21:08:52 GMT -5
Reduction hunts are just another DNR cash cow. They could care less about herd size in these parks, its all about the $$$. Yeah it's about the money all right, I guess that is why you don't even need a license other than to apply for the hunt. They are really getting rich off these hunts. |
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Post by Decatur on Nov 28, 2010 22:09:33 GMT -5
someone during the week had put axle grease on my climing pole. That's just nuts! |
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