NJ Hunter Goals - Antlered Deer Harvest Questionaire

[Anonymous]

Please take this short, anonymous poll about antlered deer harvest goals. Discussion of the topic is encouraged in this thread.

Anonymous poster hash: 93b80...789

[Joeybeets]

Troll go back in your cave....

[Haskell_Hunter]

I don't think it's trolling.

 

I do think that the lower ranking should be "0" and then "1-2" the next tier.  Because in the first question you ask about a goal of 0-1 and then ask if they fail/meet their goal, and then the average is "0-1".  So if someone's goal is one, and they fail to meet it, they're still recording an average harvest of 1.

 

Just my opinion.

[Bucksnbows]

I think or guess up front that most will post low numbers.  It is a fallacy to believe the average deer hunter in NJ is shooting a dozen or more deer each year in this state.  That person is a rarity.  Most of us shoot a buck or two and a doe or two at most each season.  I average 3 deer per season and they come from 3 states -  NJ, NY and PA.  I've never shot more than 2 in NJ in a single season myself.  One this year so far and likely one will be all I shoot.  I'm just not seeing many does the last two years locally, so I give them a pass.  They'll rebound soon enough given a mild winter and good acorn crop. 

[tcook8296]

Every year I hope for 1 shot at 1 nice buck here in NJ. 5 years ago I harvested my biggest with a bow. 4 years ago I topped my biggest with a bow. 3 yeas ago skunked. 2 years ago I shot a decent buck with the shotgun. Last year I was skunked. So far this season I had one shot opportunity on a decent buck and I missed him with a gun no less

[Matty]

Brian, it probably is a rarity for guys to shoot more than like 3 deer per season right?

 

If I had to guess, I would bet the average is about 2 does and sometimes a buck.

 

The problem is the public lands. If I shoot three does and you shoot three does and Phil, Jase, Willie, Jep and Al shoot three does all on one WMA....We just put a hurting on that property.

 

A 3000 acre WMA with a deer density of 25dpsm would only have about 117 deer. A 50:50 b:d ratio would give you about 58 does. Seven guys just killed 21 of them How many other guys are out there getting at least one or two? 10 guys? 20 guys? Some properties get hit a lot harder than others judging by the parking areas.

 

I'm really thinking DV1's plan for different WMA/State Land limits and seasons is the answer. Could people cheat that system? Of course, but you can't base regulations solely off of if people can or will cheat. That happens...Even if it only keeps 50% of people honest and abiding by those new regs, that's a start. I have to believe the cheaters would be in the minority anyway. Sure someone could call it in as a private land deer, or whatever the case may be, but what about getting caught dragging it out of the woods, or pulling out of the parking lot, etc...I'm sure most guys would WANT to follow the rules and another percentage of them would be scared into following them. The outlaws will be outlaws regardless.

 

I realize this is the buck poll too....but whatever. lol

[BowhunterNJ]

I always have 1-2 on my mind for a goal, but rarely ever meet that.  I'm lucky to get one.

But now with the areas I hunt being pretty low on does, I'm seeing more bucks than does on some occasions.

I'm starting to lean towards killing a buck instead of a doe, just to give the population a chance to rebound.

[redsquirrel]

Brian, it probably is a rarity for guys to shoot more than like 3 deer per season right?

 

If I had to guess, I would bet the average is about 2 does and sometimes a buck.

 

The problem is the public lands. If I shoot three does and you shoot three does and Phil, Jase, Willie, Jep and Al shoot three does all on one WMA....We just put a hurting on that property.

 

A 3000 acre WMA with a deer density of 25dpsm would only have about 117 deer. A 50:50 b:d ratio would give you about 58 does. Seven guys just killed 21 of them How many other guys are out there getting at least one or two? 10 guys? 20 guys? Some properties get hit a lot harder than others judging by the parking areas.

 

I'm really thinking DV1's plan for different WMA/State Land limits and seasons is the answer. Could people cheat that system? Of course, but you can't base regulations solely off of if people can or will cheat. That happens...Even if it only keeps 50% of people honest and abiding by those new regs, that's a start. I have to believe the cheaters would be in the minority anyway. Sure someone could call it in as a private land deer, or whatever the case may be, but what about getting caught dragging it out of the woods, or pulling out of the parking lot, etc...I'm sure most guys would WANT to follow the rules and another percentage of them would be scared into following them. The outlaws will be outlaws regardless.

 

I realize this is the buck poll too....but whatever. lol

I completely agree with this Matty.  I've been advocating for this for a few years now as well.  I just put this exact thought into the UBNJ survey that came out where they asked what issues you would like to see UBNJ get behind.  I have been very fortunate to take 4 deer this year, 2 bucks and 2 does all with my bow (I didn't think I would get to get out at all after October 13th when we had our first baby girl!  )  The 2 does and 1 buck were all out of a county management program while the last buck was off a wma.  I have been seeing fewer does (and deer in general) on the wma's I hunt the most so I have no desire to take does off of them.  Between the rough winters we have had the past few years and the coyote population I think the does need a break right now.  

[Matty]

Scott, good to see you post. BIG CONGRATS on the birth of your daughter!!!! Also glad to hear you still had time to get out and get it done, congrats on the deer!! Haven't been to your site in a while and I apologize....i haven't had as much time, plus I actually stopped using the saddle this year. Only used it one time and remembered why I went back to the xop and lonewolf. Saddle has it's benefits, and i'll keep it for some situations, but I got screwed out of too many opportunities with the saddle and I think I also fidget more in it because I started seeing a lot more deer up close again this year. I can sit stock still in stands, even if my butt goes numb. lol I did peak at your site just now though and it looks bustling...lots of good hunting info still flowing back and forth. Good to see. 

 

Been giving the does a break too. Even the bucks. lol...Took one big doe and passed 3 real nice bucks. I'll probably try for one more deer this year just because I want more jerky, but it has to be an area they need to be taken which can be tough to find now on public land.