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Post by whitetaildave24 on Dec 5, 2023 16:39:55 GMT -5
Tim wells is an interesting character. The guy kills all kinds of animals with spears and blow guns. Uses his bow on predators, waterfowl and doves. That whole family can shoot light out with their bows.
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Post by boonechaser on Dec 5, 2023 16:48:18 GMT -5
Not saying I want this, I don't really want to change anything, but, does anyone remember when archery season used to start? In the late 80s, I THINK it was the second Saturday of October? When did the December muzzleloader season go to 16 days instead of 9? I'm guessing mid 90s? Just thinking about this the other day. October 15 was archery opener in late 70's and 80's.
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Post by welder on Dec 5, 2023 16:49:53 GMT -5
Not saying I want this, I don't really want to change anything, but, does anyone remember when archery season used to start? In the late 80s, I THINK it was the second Saturday of October? When did the December muzzleloader season go to 16 days instead of 9? I'm guessing mid 90s? Just thinking about this the other day. October 15 was archery opener in late 70's and 80's. Didn't squirrel season end October 15th as well?
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Post by bullseye69 on Dec 5, 2023 17:47:35 GMT -5
Tim wells is an interesting character. The guy kills all kinds of animals with spears and blow guns. Uses his bow on predators, waterfowl and doves. That whole family can shoot light out with their bows. Must have some money too.
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Post by jimbob on Dec 5, 2023 20:20:19 GMT -5
I tune into this site on a regular basis, and things seem to boil over on similar topics this time each year. Truth be told, I’m team trophy deer, but I didn’t grow up like that… we killed deer to eat… and developed a rapport with police, that when they got called to the scene of a road kill… and it was a head hit they called us to salvage what we could. Fast forward to today, I only use a bow, wasn’t a fan of cross bows unless you’re disabled, impaired, or a senior. I study deer habits like it’s my job, and love the pursuit, and welcome tag soup if it means passing 130s hoping they’d make it one more year. The “dirt” comment is spot on, you have good soil, that’s 50% of the equation, then water, food, cover and calculated pressure. Nevertheless, going from that mentality, to hunting with folks that just want to make memories (kill the first deer they see) or just need the food is an adjustment… but I’ve learned my trophies die from EHD, car accidents, locking up with another monster, or rut themselves to death… none of which involve hunting, that I’m not going to sweat hunters opinions and can’t play deer God… just play the cards I’m dealt, and make sure my goals don’t bleed into a fellow hunters experience… if they’re happy, I’m happy for them if it’s legal.
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Post by duff on Dec 5, 2023 20:24:17 GMT -5
Matt, You do realize that Indiana is a fairly small state and has limited resources right? But let's compare your Iowa to our Indiana for non-pay access land. IndianaTotal Acreage - 22,929,000 USFS Acreage - 196,000 State Owned - 306,000 Land open to hunt - 502,000 % of state open to hunt - 2.2 Acres per person to hunt - 0.1 Iowa Total Acreage - 35,749,000 USFS Acreage - 0 State Owned - 266,000 Land open to hunt - 266,000 % of state open to hunt - .7 Acres per person to hunt - 0.1 So Indiana has almost double the acreage open to public hunting that Iowa has. Indiana has three times the percent of its land mass open to hunting that Iowa has. Acres to hunt per person is tied. Source - www.backcountrychronicles.com/public-hunting-land/Never let facts get in the way of feelings
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Post by whitetaildave24 on Dec 5, 2023 20:45:05 GMT -5
I tune into this site on a regular basis, and things seem to boil over on similar topics this time each year. Truth be told, I’m team trophy deer, but I didn’t grow up like that… we killed deer to eat… and developed a rapport with police, that when they got called to the scene of a road kill… and it was a head hit they called us to salvage what we could. Fast forward to today, I only use a bow, wasn’t a fan of cross bows unless you’re disabled, impaired, or a senior. I study deer habits like it’s my job, and love the pursuit, and welcome tag soup if it means passing 130s hoping they’d make it one more year. The “dirt” comment is spot on, you have good soil, that’s 50% of the equation, then water, food, cover and calculated pressure. Nevertheless, going from that mentality, to hunting with folks that just want to make memories (kill the first deer they see) or just need the food is an adjustment… but I’ve learned my trophies die from EHD, car accidents, locking up with another monster, or rut themselves to death… none of which involve hunting, that I’m not going to sweat hunters opinions and can’t play deer God… just play the cards I’m dealt, and make sure my goals don’t bleed into a fellow hunters experience… if they’re happy, I’m happy for them if it’s legal. Not that I agree with your entire post, but I appreciate it and your honesty and realism. So many things beyond our control that happen and nothing we can do about it. Your last 9 or so lines really sums it up and shows you’re in it for you, but also support others on their achievements.
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Post by jimbob on Dec 5, 2023 21:15:06 GMT -5
I tune into this site on a regular basis, and things seem to boil over on similar topics this time each year. Truth be told, I’m team trophy deer, but I didn’t grow up like that… we killed deer to eat… and developed a rapport with police, that when they got called to the scene of a road kill… and it was a head hit they called us to salvage what we could. Fast forward to today, I only use a bow, wasn’t a fan of cross bows unless you’re disabled, impaired, or a senior. I study deer habits like it’s my job, and love the pursuit, and welcome tag soup if it means passing 130s hoping they’d make it one more year. The “dirt” comment is spot on, you have good soil, that’s 50% of the equation, then water, food, cover and calculated pressure. Nevertheless, going from that mentality, to hunting with folks that just want to make memories (kill the first deer they see) or just need the food is an adjustment… but I’ve learned my trophies die from EHD, car accidents, locking up with another monster, or rut themselves to death… none of which involve hunting, that I’m not going to sweat hunters opinions and can’t play deer God… just play the cards I’m dealt, and make sure my goals don’t bleed into a fellow hunters experience… if they’re happy, I’m happy for them if it’s legal. Not that I agree with your entire post, but I appreciate it and your honesty and realism. So many things beyond our control that happen and nothing we can do about it. Your last 9 or so lines really sums it up and shows you’re in it for you, but also support others on their achievements. I welcome rebuttals Dave, haha but you’re spot on, hunters hunt for different reasons… and while we may not agree on some things, we have to find common ground. I work in corporate America, and this year I found myself hunting for peace as much as anything in the outdoors… but I can sit around a campfire and listen to both sides (trophy hunters and meat hunters) and enjoy myself but it took time, and an open mind.
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Post by steiny on Dec 6, 2023 9:09:00 GMT -5
Not too sure I believe all the recent hype regarding IN as a top B&C state. A few entries in B&C from one state or another can sway the rankings. Based on personal experience I've seen far more top end bucks while hunting other states such as KS and IL & IA and that's why I travel to hunt there when possible.
There are areas of the country where big bucks are much more common and the locals don't even get too excited about 140-150 inch deer. They hang big racks in their garage and never even think about entering anything in a record book.
32 Days of firearms deer hunting (some during peak rut) is the biggest thing getting in the way of IN becoming much better for top end deer and I don't see that changing anytime soon. We've got much better hunting than many states so I'll take what we get and keep traveling for different experiences.
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Post by mstr2175 on Dec 6, 2023 17:08:41 GMT -5
Not too sure I believe all the recent hype regarding IN as a top B&C state. A few entries in B&C from one state or another can sway the rankings. Based on personal experience I've seen far more top end bucks while hunting other states such as KS and IL & IA and that's why I travel to hunt there when possible. There are areas of the country where big bucks are much more common and the locals don't even get too excited about 140-150 inch deer. They hang big racks in their garage and never even think about entering anything in a record book. 32 Days of firearms deer hunting (some during peak rut) is the biggest thing getting in the way of IN becoming much better for top end deer and I don't see that changing anytime soon. We've got much better hunting than many states so I'll take what we get and keep traveling for different experiences. So you think it’s a cultural problem? Wisconsin has continually been number one, why do they keep submitting their bucks?
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Post by ms660 on Dec 6, 2023 18:07:37 GMT -5
Not too sure I believe all the recent hype regarding IN as a top B&C state. A few entries in B&C from one state or another can sway the rankings. Based on personal experience I've seen far more top end bucks while hunting other states such as KS and IL & IA and that's why I travel to hunt there when possible. There are areas of the country where big bucks are much more common and the locals don't even get too excited about 140-150 inch deer. They hang big racks in their garage and never even think about entering anything in a record book. 32 Days of firearms deer hunting (some during peak rut) is the biggest thing getting in the way of IN becoming much better for top end deer and I don't see that changing anytime soon. We've got much better hunting than many states so I'll take what we get and keep traveling for different experiences. Thirty-two days of gun season is the reason Indiana has become a big buck state. Its in these 32 days the majority of big bucks are killed.
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Post by BigJLocke on Dec 6, 2023 19:16:58 GMT -5
I’m confused, I thought gun season was just a little over two weeks? Where 32 days come from?
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Post by duff on Dec 6, 2023 19:21:09 GMT -5
I’m confused, I thought gun season was just a little over two weeks? Where 32 days come from? Myzzleloader season
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Post by greghopper on Dec 6, 2023 20:38:33 GMT -5
I’m confused, I thought gun season was just a little over two weeks? Where 32 days come from? Myzzleloader season Some hater’s also count any day powder can burn …..youth season,draw hunts and late antlerless!
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Post by beermaker on Dec 6, 2023 21:36:50 GMT -5
My unsolicited thoughts and opinions:
I haven't hunted in a few years due to "life getting in the way." Kids activities, aging parents' health, demanding jobs, etc... Now the kids are getting older and more self-sufficient, both mothers have passed, I don't give as much a crap about work, etc... I've mentally committed to getting back in the woods next year.
I've always been very consistent with the policy that, if I am going to take the time to hunt, I'm going to take game when given the opportunity. The only exception has been a small/medium buck. I don't care what anyone says, the meat is simply not as good as a doe and I'll gladly let it grow another year. Feel free to disagree, your right and not my concern. I'll shoot a buck that I think is worth spending the money on for a mount or I think has reached maturity and it's growing potential. Lots of sausage!
I've grown to learn that it is much more enjoyable to hunt in reasonable weather than it is to try to stay warm and comfortable in undesirable weather.
With all of the above being said, I'd probably not even hunt with a gun if the season was moved to December. I'd still hunt with my crossbow mid-October through mid-November, but probably not much after that. I sold my muzzleloader for the exact same reason. The declining weather and approaching holidays make hunting in December less-attractive for me.
I'll go ahead and offend some folks. I think what I have babbled about amounts to what those in favor of changing the seasons are trying to accomplish...Less hunters in the woods with the end-goal of preserving their cherished "trophy bucks." Get the guns out of the woods in November and make it less desirable to be in the woods in December with declining weather. Younger and older hunters are not likely to hunt the worse the weather gets.
I have a question for those in favor of moving the seasons: Just what is the positive end-goal of improving the "trophy potential" for the common hunter? More out-of-state hunters and increasing lease rates?
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Post by jtkelly on Dec 6, 2023 22:09:08 GMT -5
Some hater’s also count any day powder can burn …..youth season,draw hunts and late antlerless! Are they using guns?
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Post by jimbob on Dec 6, 2023 22:40:37 GMT -5
My unsolicited thoughts and opinions: I haven't hunted in a few years due to "life getting in the way." Kids activities, aging parents' health, demanding jobs, etc... Now the kids are getting older and more self-sufficient, both mothers have passed, I don't give as much a crap about work, etc... I've mentally committed to getting back in the woods next year. I've always been very consistent with the policy that, if I am going to take the time to hunt, I'm going to take game when given the opportunity. The only exception has been a small/medium buck. I don't care what anyone says, the meat is simply not as good as a doe and I'll gladly let it grow another year. Feel free to disagree, your right and not my concern. I'll shoot a buck that I think is worth spending the money on for a mount or I think has reached maturity and it's growing potential. Lots of sausage! I've grown to learn that it is much more enjoyable to hunt in reasonable weather than it is to try to stay warm and comfortable in undesirable weather. With all of the above being said, I'd probably not even hunt with a gun if the season was moved to December. I'd still hunt with my crossbow mid-October through mid-November, but probably not much after that. I sold my muzzleloader for the exact same reason. The declining weather and approaching holidays make hunting in December less-attractive for me. I'll go ahead and offend some folks. I think what I have babbled about amounts to what those in favor of changing the seasons are trying to accomplish...Less hunters in the woods with the end-goal of preserving their cherished "trophy bucks." Get the guns out of the woods in November and make it less desirable to be in the woods in December with declining weather. Younger and older hunters are not likely to hunt the worse the weather gets. I have a question for those in favor of moving the seasons: Just what is the positive end-goal of improving the "trophy potential" for the common hunter? More out-of-state hunters and increasing lease rates? If I take the side of “trophy hunter”, for the sake of conversation. I’d start by saying, I appreciate those who want to maximize potential (which much of the state has, minus disease). Furthermore, if you truly love deer meat you’d shoot a 90-110# doe, and do your very best to kill it quick (in my case heart shot or double lung, in temps below 45 degrees… and get the guts out quickly, hang in face down for 5-7 days and remove all the tendons… nothing better. Most places I hunt usually have more does than needed… so no harm in taking one or two. You get the best of both worlds… perfect meat in the freezer and you still get a chance at a “trophy”. Now, this is where I get selfish… I’ve hunted in Indiana for 30 years… the woods is magical until the first 4 days of gun season, then the deer movement changes drastically unless you own a large plot. Is it the guns, is it the pressure, is it just perfect timing to the rut… well we’ll likely just have to make assumptions until we try different things in the same place. However, as a bow guy, I love when gun season comes in late, it’s better than Christmas… this year was no different (magical for longer). Now, the gun guys got the shaft, but the seasons ebbs and flow each year. However, I know a lot of hunters that didn’t step in the woods before gun season, getting out during archery after the introduction of crossbows. I thought this would make the deer feel pressure early and start to change the “magical season”, but that hasn’t come to fruition. Regardless, I can’t knock someone who is pro gun, wanting the longest season to kill a deer quickly and provide meat for your family, but make no mistake, for those after trophy’s, spending that time and energy… gun season, for whatever the reason, makes something that is very hard… extremely hard, so of course, there will be animosity, it’s just part of it.
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Post by Ahawkeye on Dec 6, 2023 23:07:44 GMT -5
My unsolicited thoughts and opinions: I haven't hunted in a few years due to "life getting in the way." Kids activities, aging parents' health, demanding jobs, etc... Now the kids are getting older and more self-sufficient, both mothers have passed, I don't give as much a crap about work, etc... I've mentally committed to getting back in the woods next year. I've always been very consistent with the policy that, if I am going to take the time to hunt, I'm going to take game when given the opportunity. The only exception has been a small/medium buck. I don't care what anyone says, the meat is simply not as good as a doe and I'll gladly let it grow another year. Feel free to disagree, your right and not my concern. I'll shoot a buck that I think is worth spending the money on for a mount or I think has reached maturity and it's growing potential. Lots of sausage! I've grown to learn that it is much more enjoyable to hunt in reasonable weather than it is to try to stay warm and comfortable in undesirable weather. With all of the above being said, I'd probably not even hunt with a gun if the season was moved to December. I'd still hunt with my crossbow mid-October through mid-November, but probably not much after that. I sold my muzzleloader for the exact same reason. The declining weather and approaching holidays make hunting in December less-attractive for me. I'll go ahead and offend some folks. I think what I have babbled about amounts to what those in favor of changing the seasons are trying to accomplish...Less hunters in the woods with the end-goal of preserving their cherished "trophy bucks." Get the guns out of the woods in November and make it less desirable to be in the woods in December with declining weather. Younger and older hunters are not likely to hunt the worse the weather gets. I have a question for those in favor of moving the seasons: Just what is the positive end-goal of improving the "trophy potential" for the common hunter? More out-of-state hunters and increasing lease rates? If I take the side of “trophy hunter”, for the sake of conversation. I’d start by saying, I appreciate those who want to maximize potential (which much of the state has, minus disease). Furthermore, if you truly love deer meat you’d shoot a 90-110# doe, and do your very best to kill it quick (in my case heart shot or double lung, in temps below 45 degrees… and get the guts out quickly, hang in face down for 5-7 days and remove all the tendons… nothing better. Most places I hunt usually have more does than needed… so no harm in taking one or two. You get the best of both worlds… perfect meat in the freezer and you still get a chance at a “trophy”. Now, this is where I get selfish… I’ve hunted in Indiana for 30 years… the woods is magical until the first 4 days of gun season, then the deer movement changes drastically unless you own a large plot. Is it the guns, is it the pressure, is it just perfect timing to the rut… well we’ll likely just have to make assumptions until we try different things in the same place. However, as a bow guy, I love when gun season comes in late, it’s better than Christmas… this year was no different (magical for longer). Now, the gun guys got the shaft, but the seasons ebbs and flow each year. However, I know a lot of hunters that didn’t step in the woods before gun season, getting out during archery after the introduction of crossbows. I thought this would make the deer feel pressure early and start to change the “magical season”, but that hasn’t come to fruition. Regardless, I can’t knock someone who is pro gun, wanting the longest season to kill a deer quickly and provide meat for your family, but make no mistake, for those after trophy’s, spending that time and energy… gun season, for whatever the reason, makes something that is very hard… extremely hard, so of course, there will be animosity, it’s just part of it. I don't care what I or anyone shoots a deer with, I agree the gun season is in and out of the peak rut from year to year. This may have an impact on the following season as well, I for one am happy with what we have. I agree with you on many points, pressure probably has a lot to do with it. On the other hand, one hot doe blows the whole thought out of the water, even late in the season. I guess that's what makes it fun.
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Post by greghopper on Dec 7, 2023 5:18:49 GMT -5
Some hater’s also count any day powder can burn …..youth season,draw hunts and late antlerless! Are they using guns? Guns are legal at them times……same as gun and muzzleloader seasons!
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Post by M4Madness on Dec 7, 2023 6:37:17 GMT -5
I started deer hunting in 1995 at the age of 27, so this is my 29th season. I used to hunt practically every day of season -- after work and weekends. I averaged four deer a year for the first 20 seasons. It's all I thought about. I'd count down the days on a calendar at work like a kid would leading up until Christmas.
You know what? I grew tired of the whole thing. Call it "burnout" if you like. Hunting went from being fun to being a chore. I've killed a lot more good bucks than I deserve (close to 20 shoulder mounts in my home), and felt pressured to keep that up. I had permission to hunt around 2000 acres of private ground surrounding my home.
Times change, people change. Deer hunting has become so trophy oriented that it no longer resembles what got my excited about hunting in the first place. Kids are being raised to believe there's shame in shooting average deer. Parents justify it by saying, "We're teaching our kids to be selective and let the herd mature", while in reality all they are doing is serving their own egos and taking the fun out of hunting. Obviously not all parents do this, but it's definitely more prevalent than when I was introduced into hunting. I gave up Facebook 5 or 6 years ago, and I don't regret it. Friends still send me screenshots of deer hunting pages, and it's the same old crap -- everyone talking down to each other -- the usual separation of hunting groups.
Today, I could care less if I even kill a deer. I used to be a hardcore bow hunter, and went the last five years without hunting archery season. Heck, two of those years I didn't even bother shooting a single deer. I haven't killed a deer this year (even though I've had dozens of opportunities), and I could care less. I may shoot a doe for a friend in muzzleloader season, but if the deer were for me, I probably wouldn't even bother.
I'm trying hard to regain the excitement of deer hunting. I really am. I even did something this year that I vowed I'd never do -- I bought a crossbow. I took my first November vacation from work just to hunt the rut. I've never taken off work to hunt. Still, with each passing day, I feel less and less like sitting in a stand. Make firearms season 5 days and put it the week of Christmas if you want. I won't lose any sleep over it. Ah, I feel much better getting this off my chest. Lol!
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