Just because you aren't seeing them doesn't mean they aren't there.
I agree 100%.I live in and have hunted Ripley Co. for 40 + years and there is no way we have 5 % of the deer we had 20 years ago,yet they RAISED the doe tags to 8 this year.I have access to several farms around Versailles Park.I can show you eagles & otters about any time.I would hate to say I could show you a single deer in these same areas.On my parents farm,which borders VSP,I once counted 21 antlered deer in at one time in their bean field,in daylight.I don't think I've seen a single deer in that field this year.On there other farm,with VSP on two sides they have a wheat field that I once counted 41 deer in.I haven't seen a deer in that field in YEARS.I have officially lost confidence in the Indiana DNR to manage the State's deer herd.
I thought they were really on the right track, years ago, when they went to the one buck rule. Since then, things have went down hill. Doing away with purchasing actual paper licenses was one downfall. Getting away from physical check-in stations was another. I believe that the checked deer numbers dropped significantly the first year they went to the online check-in. I think 48 hours to check-in a deer is unnecessary too. Too many people who think if they can get the deer home without getting caught, since you only need a hand written transport tag, just put them in the freezer and head back out. They have refused to reduce the number of bonus tags in many of the counties hit the hardest with EHD/Blue tongue.
The DNR has made several contradictory statements in the last few years, as well.
"Insurance companies have no bearing on how we manage the deer herd" Immediately followed up by, "We manage the deer herd with the best interest of all citizens in mind"
And the most profound statement, to me, "We don't need to have an accurate count on the deer herd in order to manage it"
What??
They should send the IDNR to one of the southern states that has a wild boar problem and let them manage that. Would probably clear the problem right up.
Absolutely! Just like Sasquatch, the Loch Ness monster and El Chupacabra, right? Geez.
I, along with scores of other hunters, farmers, COs, police officers, and John Q. Public are not seeing them, during the day or night, with the crops out, but they are still out there?
I see LOTS of single does feeding in the middle of picked corn fields or two or three small does together. That's it. Remember when I discussed this on here last year about Fountain and Warren counties? Now there are reports coming in from most of the state that deer numbers are down.
Wouldn't surprise me in the least if the DNR doesn't proclaim another "record" harvest this year.
I know a local farmer that farms several thousand acres in Fountain and Parke counties. A bunch of them got together yesterday and did their "annual deer drive". I'll see what kind of numbers they saw.
Mom45, I know it's not entirely from limits or regulation changes or disease. It's from the poor herd management, overall, by our DNR. Eight to ten years ago our herd needed reduced. No reason to be able to count 40-50 deer in one field. They have just tipped the scales in the wrong direction. I am 100% sure that insurance companies have deeper pockets than hunters.
I talked to the guys that did the deer drive yesterday. This was 7 guys driving several hundred acres in southern Fountain/northern Parke counties. They shot EVERYTHING they saw. Which amounted to one mature doe and her twin fawns and a 1 1/2 year old basket rack six point.
pretty impressive!
Speaking of a deer "drive". I just came in from my stand after watching neighbor kids driving their ranger along the fence row. Watched a couple of deer book it out of their beds as the ranger got close. As the deer disappeared over the hill i heard boom...boom...boom. On purpose? Sure looked like it. I've been trying for this buck since archery and was closing in on him. Saw him this morning but out of range. Won't see him again! Oh well. I got nice mature doe early in archery so I've got freezer meat. 2 buddies each took mature bucks this year on my property and 1 nice buck was taken on neighbors property opening day of archery. That makes 4 plus i'm guessing 2 this morning by my neighbor. I'm done trying for a buck this year. Save some deer for the future. On to coyotes!
Yote hunter,
I agree, I didn't shoot a deer in Indiana last year, for those reasons. Some hunters are intelligent enough to see the writing on the wall and they have enough restraint to not shoot everything that walks in front of them. Most do not.
Hey thanks for your words of encouragement. I know who shot...it was their dad. I don't have a problem with trying until the last day, I'm usually the guy out there until January freezing his ass off with a bow in my hand if I have a tag to fill. I'll know later today if my neighbor got "my" boy or not. While I don't agree with the tactics, I can't argue with the results. Pretty sure it was his first time out this year. Oh I'm sure I'll be out there tomorrow morning looking for him again.Don't give up yet bro, the best part of the season is coming upon us... The deer will return to the food sorce and you will get a crack at that buck you been after.... Them kids jumped two does you said then boom so whoever it was prob. shot one of them does so your big buck is still there somewhere.... Just don't give up, blow the dust off the old muzzleloader and get ready bro.... The best is yet to come !!!!