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Post by tynimiller on Dec 3, 2018 18:02:47 GMT -5
We also for last 30 plus years go on an up and down trend typically...really nothing out of the ordinary.
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Post by darinfry on Dec 3, 2018 18:08:28 GMT -5
I think it's a combination of two factors Less deer Less hunters ((root cause - food plots (moves deer a few miles to that food plot locations. Leaves just a few deer for the non food plot area.) It seems it started around 2007 and gain popularity the last 5 years.) Newer hunters gave up not seeing deer the last few years in there non food plot area. im not sure with all the ag and natural browse here food plotting would make that huge of an impact? maybe
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Post by freedomhunter on Dec 3, 2018 18:09:02 GMT -5
I chose less deer, but I have been happy with the amount I have seen on private ground this year. That being said, most of the ground I hunt has very little pressure. I think as long as we have "opportunity" to hunt with a firearm for 32 days in and around the rut, people of means will buy or lease as much ground as they can to keep their neighbors from killing all the decent bucks during our long firearms seasons and now crossbows, also (and most these people don't kill more than one anterless). Just my opinion, but I see it every year. The video crew that leases around my best spot finally came off some of the hundreds of acres they lease around me, I put a buddy on some of the ground and he killed a low 150's the second day he hunted all day long. I really think 80 or a 160 acres would suffice most people if state management was more suited for older age structure of bucks. My best spot is all of about 40 acres but it has little to no pressure around it. I know greedy people will always want more, but not a lot of what I see is greed but getting enough ground to manage around our regulations. So, yes, less places to hunt for sure!
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Post by beermaker on Dec 3, 2018 18:29:40 GMT -5
Well, I have never chimed in on any of these topics before,so, here goes. First, I am not bashing anyone, I am only giving my opinion. Other than state park and military draws, I have 0 public land hunting experience,so this pretty much only pertains to private property hunters. In the last 15-20 years, leasing hunting ground has grown exponentially, that being said, "free" private hunting is difficult,to say least to come by. Not long ago,8-10 guys with permission on a farmer that owns several hundred acres all had a decent hunting area. Now,3-4 guys have it all to themselves and very possibly only shoot "trophy" deer. The remainder of the guys from the same farm are either crowded into another place with 15-20 guys or they hunt public land or not at all. Remember, opinions are like armpits, but I say an overall lack of GOOD hunting ground is a huge reason for the decline. You saved my fingers from a lot of typing.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 3, 2018 19:00:15 GMT -5
I have one more thought. Most hunters are aging (like me) and took 2 to 4 deer to feed family of 5. Now it is one or two and within a year or two just 1. There is another group just older that are limited and some not hunting at all. The challenge it takes to hunt.
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Post by jimbob on Dec 3, 2018 19:16:43 GMT -5
I’m always surprised that it’s considered laughable when somebody says it’s because of cross guns and rifles on this site. The easier it is to kill (or injury) an animal the more likely it could happen, right? Would that then, have a direct reflection of the number of deer available in the following year(s)? Does that then mean, less hunters because of less opportunity in those following years, which leads to lack of interest from the ADD youth (because of cell phones)? Do you think we’d have more deer if everybody had to use long bows? Indiana has executed a plan perfectly to reduce our herd, that’s what happened. Giving hunters long seasons, and very capable weapons. Other aspects that can’t be denied, is when the economy is good, more hunters are working than hunting, hunting has become a rich man sport, and the definition of what a man did 100 years ago to be a “provider” has change considerably.
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Post by span870 on Dec 3, 2018 20:32:39 GMT -5
Been thinking about this whole full moon thing while I've been bored in the stand not seeing squat. While I understand that it does brighten up things a bit it's not like the deer aren't out feeding every night even with no moon. Couldn't convince myself that it makes a beans of difference and I had quite an argument with myself. Deer can see in the "dark" so why would it make a difference?
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Post by firstwd on Dec 3, 2018 20:32:47 GMT -5
Just an observation of my very tiny local area. The farm I hunt it the "finger" edge of a sizable block of woods. It connects two other equally sized blocks of woods.i have coworkers and friends who hunt various properties within all three of those blocks of woods that I get my information from.
Historically, 2 total deer have been shot over 10 years on opening day of gun season. This year 3 of the 8 that were seen before 9am were shot. 10 deer were taken in 4 days of the 50 seen. The reports from my friends and coworkers were terrible. Where deer have historically been plentiful, they were few and far between this year and vice versa.
We are compiling notes on the things we can determine were different this year to try to come up with a reasonably logical explanation.
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Post by span870 on Dec 3, 2018 20:35:05 GMT -5
I dunno either but because i'm looking for a reason (excuse) for my own much fewer than usual sightings, i'm thinking "smarter deers" if that includes the deers going/ staying nocturnal. I hunt public and so don't run cameras for various reasons BUT, i do recall reading at least a few posts from hunters who do run cameras saying they were capturing much more night movement pics than daytime pics. I realize that's not too far fetched considering that's what deer's do (move more at night) anyways. But because i need an excuse, is that convincing enough. Funny you should say that. Driving out for lunch one day and met a guy that hunts a neighboring property. He was absolutely convinced the deer have evolved into a higher thinking creature and this evolution is what is causing less to be killed.
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Post by span870 on Dec 3, 2018 20:42:44 GMT -5
I hunt right at 500 acres of some of the best hunting land in Washington county. 100% deep woods and ridges. 12 days seen a grand total of 5 deer. Absolutely everyone around us was shooting, to the point of getting quite annoying. Have 60 acres that didn't get hunted. Wanna guess where the deer ended up at and how many deer 60 acres will hold. The crops around us was a second year bean planting. duff will tell you how many deer he seen the first year he hunted it and the crops were corn. You can guarantee that the bean years it's going to be hard hunting. I'd venture the 8 doe years did a number on the hers but the fields are still loaded at the end of the day. Just a bad year
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Post by jjas on Dec 3, 2018 20:46:30 GMT -5
I dunno either but because i'm looking for a reason (excuse) for my own much fewer than usual sightings, i'm thinking "smarter deers" if that includes the deers going/ staying nocturnal. I hunt public and so don't run cameras for various reasons BUT, i do recall reading at least a few posts from hunters who do run cameras saying they were capturing much more night movement pics than daytime pics. I realize that's not too far fetched considering that's what deer's do (move more at night) anyways. But because i need an excuse, is that convincing enough. Funny you should say that. Driving out for lunch one day and met a guy that hunts a neighboring property. He was absolutely convinced the deer have evolved into a higher thinking creature and this evolution is what is causing less to be killed. Why do I have the feeling that it has less to do with evolution and more to do with harassment, as hunters are constantly checking cameras and bugging the h*ll out of the deer...LOL.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 3, 2018 20:50:35 GMT -5
There could be some truth that deer are getting smarter. Ten years ago how many times did you enter the woods? Not that many. We were smart to check after deer season and stay out of the woods.. Now we have trail cameras. Now how many times do you enter the woods? Deer will go nocturnal with any pressure. More pressure times = more nocturnal times.
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Post by duff on Dec 3, 2018 21:05:00 GMT -5
No deers in Washington co...but maybe they are being organized by a new leader.
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Post by span870 on Dec 3, 2018 21:09:37 GMT -5
Funny you should say that. Driving out for lunch one day and met a guy that hunts a neighboring property. He was absolutely convinced the deer have evolved into a higher thinking creature and this evolution is what is causing less to be killed. Why do I have the feeling that it has less to do with evolution and more to do with harassment, as hunters are constantly checking cameras and bugging the h*ll out of the deer...LOL. It a good conversation. About 15 minutes worth. We left and me and my boy looked at each other and said, what the heck. It was a long running joke the rest of the week.
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Post by span870 on Dec 3, 2018 21:10:32 GMT -5
No deers in Washington co...but maybe they are being organized by a new leader. Shall we call him....David
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Post by ms660 on Dec 3, 2018 21:15:35 GMT -5
Anyone that's thinks there is less Hunters that would make a big difference in numbers needs to get out more and to other areas Not sure if it made a difference in the harvest numbers, but I think there are less hunter over all. In Pike County I know there is less hunters. 1000's and 1000's acres of prime deer hunting ground that was once owned by coal mines and InterLake and Gray Farms that any body could hunt on 10 years ago has been blocked up and sold or leased out. Some of this ground get hunted now a couple times a year by a few wealthy doctors and lawyers from Indy that years in the past would have 100's of people hunting it that no longer hunt. This is the reason we are seeing bigger, mature deer here in and around this area. One buck rule had nothing to do with it. I'm happy!!! Deer are getting smarter, hunters are getting dumber and lazy. LOL The IDNR did what the intended plan was to do, REDUCE THE HERD SIZE. It,s time to end all the late antlerless season state wide.
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Post by duff on Dec 3, 2018 21:28:12 GMT -5
No deers in Washington co...but maybe they are being organized by a new leader. Shall we call him....David No good leaders by David...I can only think of David Koresh. Maybe George, Patton, Bush, bush, and kostanza
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Post by butlerj on Dec 3, 2018 21:56:03 GMT -5
I think it's a combination of two factors Less deer Less hunters ((root cause - food plots (moves deer a few miles to that food plot locations. Leaves just a few deer for the non food plot area.) It seems it started around 2007 and gain popularity the last 5 years.) Newer hunters gave up not seeing deer the last few years in there non food plot area. I am almost certain this is the case for the state land I hunt. It's either that or a lot of poaching going on during the off seasons or at night.
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Post by greghopper on Dec 3, 2018 22:02:57 GMT -5
Id have to see some pretty hard evidence to believe there are less deer hunters today than in years past. Maybe we hunters just arent as good as we used to be. Reading some of the things folks ask or discuss it not a hard leap to make ... My guess is fewer deer overall as well as limited access to private ground has pushed many hunters to our limited public ground and success rates have dropped for them. Exactly
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Post by boonechaser on Dec 3, 2018 22:26:37 GMT -5
Looking at numbers today we are down about 1,300 near as I can tell. Saturday was a killer down about 3,000 just that 1 day
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