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Post by esshup on Dec 5, 2018 19:36:55 GMT -5
I think the IDNR set a goal years ago to have herd size to where we take 100,000 per year. Look a the micro managing this year! Perhaps that is true but it still doesn't explain why the firearms opener was down 10,000 deer (as compared to the averages between 2009/2016) and the rest of the firearms season (with varying types of weather) was approximately where it has averaged between 2009/2016. Again...I'm curious as to why was the opener down so much this year? It could be a combination of things that are all coming together. 1) The DNR wanting a smaller deer herd (they are seeing that due to the doe harvest in previous years and we are seeing that in the reduced bonus antlerless quotas for this year). 2) an aging hunter base 2) Possibly opening day corresponded with opening day in other states and people were out-of0state (I was). 4) Lower deer population due to fawn and adult deer predation by coyotes due to lower fur prices. 5) Loss of deer habitat due to cleaner farming practices, possibly breaking up smaller farms for housing and increased urban sprawl. I don't think there is one single factor that you can put your finger on, but when you put all those together, that might account for that. Remember "death from 1,000 cuts). So much for a "huge increase in the deer harvest" due to allowing Center fire Rifles now.
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Post by deadeer on Dec 6, 2018 2:18:59 GMT -5
Perhaps that is true but it still doesn't explain why the firearms opener was down 10,000 deer (as compared to the averages between 2009/2016) and the rest of the firearms season (with varying types of weather) was approximately where it has averaged between 2009/2016. Again...I'm curious as to why was the opener down so much this year? It could be a combination of things that are all coming together. 1) The DNR wanting a smaller deer herd (they are seeing that due to the doe harvest in previous years and we are seeing that in the reduced bonus antlerless quotas for this year). 2) an aging hunter base 2) Possibly opening day corresponded with opening day in other states and people were out-of0state (I was). 4) Lower deer population due to fawn and adult deer predation by coyotes due to lower fur prices. 5) Loss of deer habitat due to cleaner farming practices, possibly breaking up smaller farms for housing and increased urban sprawl. I don't think there is one single factor that you can put your finger on, but when you put all those together, that might account for that. Remember "death from 1,000 cuts). So much for a "huge increase in the deer harvest" due to allowing Center fire Rifles now. I am glad it has worked out this way in regards to rifles. I was honestly nervous about increased harvest and the safety aspect. Appears neither to have been an issue so far. I really enjoy using rifles now. Something different. I have rolled with the punches thru the years tho, progressing with the changes. I cant say my hunting, or harvesting actually, has gotten any easier since going to crossbow or hpr. To each their own!
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Post by Woody Williams on Dec 6, 2018 9:02:39 GMT -5
Current reported deer harvest: 96,099 From Sept 15, 2018 to Thursday, December 6, 2018 at 8:02 AM CST Deer harvest numbers are updated as deer are checked in via CheckIN Game. All numbers are raw data that have not been verified by the Indiana DNR. www.in.gov/dnr/fishwild/8367.htm
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Post by boonechaser on Dec 6, 2018 10:14:02 GMT -5
Will we break 100,000 before Dec. 10th again this year? I suspect with a pretty fair weekend forecasted that the muzzy crowd might get us back on pace??? (We shall c?) Think I will be out with bow trying for one more doe. Good luck all.
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Post by Woody Williams on Dec 7, 2018 7:21:42 GMT -5
Current reported deer harvest: 96,143 From Sept 15, 2018 to Friday, December 7, 2018 at 6:23 AM CST Deer harvest numbers are updated as deer are checked in via CheckIN Game. All numbers are raw data that have not been verified by the Indiana DNR. www.in.gov/dnr/fishwild/8367.htm
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Post by Woody Williams on Dec 7, 2018 7:38:46 GMT -5
98,200 this time last year 4 days after the firearm season.
So we are about 2,000 behind last year...
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Post by greghopper on Dec 7, 2018 7:53:04 GMT -5
98,200 this time last year 4 days after the firearm season. So we are about 2,000 behind last year... Maybe the lower bag limts are working?
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Post by jjas on Dec 7, 2018 8:45:24 GMT -5
98,200 this time last year 4 days after the firearm season. So we are about 2,000 behind last year... Maybe the lower bag limts are working? It will be interesting to get the daily firearms harvest data, (as well as the total season numbers data) and see where the antlered/antlerless harvest ratio ends up.
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Post by swilk on Dec 7, 2018 8:53:02 GMT -5
The numbers I am most interested in comparing are of those that kill multiple deer each year. The guys who killed 4, 5, 6, 7 or more deer. Are there still the same number of guys killing that many deer?
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Post by blackmouthcur on Dec 7, 2018 9:34:34 GMT -5
I think hunters are just aging out. A lot of buddies just don’t go anymore or hunt just a few days. Tagging a buck isn’t the motivating drive it used to be. I generally just hunt for meat anymore. I don’t go out when it’s bad weather like I used to or hunt as long. It’s just we are getting older and hunting less. The kids these days are not hunters. I agree with muzzleloader, kids these days ain’t interested in outdoor activities like we were. My dad is 75 and says this will probably be his last year going. Most of the relatives we went with are gone now so it’s just not as fun as it used to be. The property we hunt is 60 acres, mostly cornfield so it doesn’t really hold deer too much and sitting out there seeing squirrels and freezing your cahonies off gets old real fast. Then add in work, home, creaky knees, sore backs and the fact that nobody wants to let ya hunt anyway sometimes it’s easier just to say “ the hell with it”, it becomes more trouble than it’s worth.
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Post by throbak on Dec 7, 2018 9:37:28 GMT -5
I got my four None with bow never came together when it was coolenough to hang But Firearm was a different story and I still have MZL for a big buck. With no plan for a doe got it done with the Bushmaster Had there been no bonus I would have just shot the does wit bow and dwelt with the weather knowing I couldn’t with gun ! With that said the guys like me will still get their 4 or 5 deer just not with the leisure bonuses and long seasons allow we will get ours you betcha you know there’s more than one way to skin a cat 🐱
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Post by dbd870 on Dec 7, 2018 9:41:21 GMT -5
The numbers I am most interested in comparing are of those that kill multiple deer each year. The guys who killed 4, 5, 6, 7 or more deer. Are there still the same number of guys killing that many deer? Yep; pretty well what I was talking about. I know I’m not. Aging hunting population is part of it for sure.
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Post by whitetaildave24 on Dec 7, 2018 10:33:43 GMT -5
I try to get four a year. I’m up to 5 so far and may trynfor one korenwith the muzzy. Got four last year and was out of meat before season started this year.
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Post by greghopper on Dec 7, 2018 10:57:10 GMT -5
I try to get four a year. I’m up to 5 so far and may trynfor one korenwith the muzzy. Got four last year and was out of meat before season started this year. What do you think your total cost$ was in having killed 4 deer? And how many lbs. of meat did you have after butchering 4 deer?
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Post by swilk on Dec 7, 2018 11:18:40 GMT -5
lol ... lets not ever, ever, ever bring up the cost of deer hunting. I could buy a herd of Wagyu cows for what I have invested in hunting.
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Post by boonechaser on Dec 7, 2018 11:25:16 GMT -5
Yep. I'm just going to ballpark. Habitat improvement, supplemental feeding, mineral, food plot's, equipment maintenance, processing, lease and misc. $5,000-$7,000 conservativily annually. (I own my own ground and lease a adjoining farm)
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Post by boonechaser on Dec 7, 2018 11:27:55 GMT -5
Yep. I'm just going to ballpark. Habitat improvement, supplemental feeding, mineral, food plot's, equipment maintenance, processing, lease and misc. $5,000-$7,000 conservativily annually. (I own my own ground and lease a adjoining farm) OOPPS forgot fertilizer and lime cost. Prolly closer to $10,000.... I do hay farm some my property and some additional ground which brings in $10,000 or so annually. That's my deer hunting money and I work for free...LOL
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Post by greghopper on Dec 7, 2018 12:35:29 GMT -5
lol ... lets not ever, ever, ever bring up the cost of deer hunting. I could buy a herd of Wagyu cows for what I have invested in hunting. It's always interesting to see the figures expically if someone claims they hunt to feed the family.
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Post by boonechaser on Dec 7, 2018 13:24:56 GMT -5
I suppose if u hunt public ground and have no other cost but travel time and ammunition, license cost and process yourself etc. You might get by for $2 -$3 lb. Pretty much same as hamburgur at store... Lol
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Post by Deleted on Dec 7, 2018 13:35:13 GMT -5
I try to get four a year. I’m up to 5 so far and may trynfor one korenwith the muzzy. Got four last year and was out of meat before season started this year. What do you think your total cost$ was in having killed 4 deer? And how many lbs. of meat did you have after butchering 4 deer? I used to kill 4 every year, then 3, then 2, and now 1 or 2 to feed my family. Cost per pound is going up. But, my cost per year is going down. Last year I had to add my crossbow. This year 6 bolts, licenses and some travel cost to be out my brother's place. Poundage very from deer to deer. This year quality of poundage went down, put more poundage. Since I depreciate my cost of the crossbow my cost looks better. I think this is my last weapon cost so I have many years to deer number depreciate. So poundage and costs are a variable. LOL writing this. Almost forgot the best cost savings: priceless saving with mental and medical costs.
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