NJ Hunter Goals - Antlerless Deer Harvest Questionaire

[Anonymous]

Please take this short, anonymous poll regarding antlerless deer harvests. Discussion on the topic is encouraged in this thread.

Anonymous poster hash: 595c6...9cf

[Joeybeets]

Troll go back in your cave.....

[tcook8296]

I like to harvest 2 deer per season 1 of which I hope is a buck. I always shoot at least one doe per season however, last year was the 1st year in 35 years of hunting NJ I let everything walk

[Matty]

I like to harvest 2 deer per season 1 of which I hope is a buck. I always shoot at least one doe per season however, last year was the 1st year in 35 years of hunting NJ I let everything walk

 

I really applaud you for doing that!!!

 

I honestly believe that's extremely difficult for the large majority of hunters. I consider myself very selective and even I can't recall ever letting everything walk for an entire season. I want at least one doe per year for the freezer. So I really make sure to try and find areas that need them taken, because I really don't want to have an empty freezer.

 

Even seasoned hunters often measure their success by how many they shoot each year. Think of when we meet other hunters, one of the questions always seems to be; "How many did ya' get this year?"

 

What we should be asking is, "How many did ya' pass this year?"

[makosnax]

I don't answer to Anonymous, state your name and rank soldier

[BowhunterNJ]

I target 1-2 deer per year, and I usually don't shoot a doe until later in the season. I'll hold out (hopelessly) for a big buck (who really isn't there), passing on deer every sit.  I may make an exception to escalate my doe kill timing if one comes in that's smarter than she should be (looking in trees, circling, etc).  Right now I'm sitting just at the one buck I shot back in October, and with nothing worthwhile to really chase on cams, I'm just sitting back and relaxing for now.  I may or may not go after a doe or "bad genetic" buck as the season progresses.  Really depends on various circumstances, one of which is the herd size where I'm hunting.  In my two primary areas, taking one deer isn't crippling, but I'd much rather take a buck out than a doe given the significantly decreased deer population.  I definitely feel it's time to let the does go in some areas...something I never thought I'd ever say here in NJ.

[Besa0559]

I need to fill the freezer.

[Bucksnbows]

The only problem with these polls is that I have changed my hunting habits over the last two seasons to adjust to the rapidly shrinking herds.  So I tried to answer like I would have 2 or more seasons ago and not the way I am acting today with the sudden drop in deer densities where I hunt (northwest NJ).  There have been seasons when I took 2 does from NJ and a buck either here or in PA.  I won't shoot 2 does in NJ right now, but that is just me.  I haven't taken one the last two seasons other than on a specific cull hunt where a localized herd was just crushing its habitat and deer were seen all over the neighborhood in full daylight.  But I separate cull hunts from normal hunting as they are night and day in my book. 

[Thunderhawk]

I don't shoot does any more. I haven't in about 10 years...its not that I'm against it.

 

A typical year for me is 1 buck. A good year is 2. That's plenty of meat for me.

 

Been hunting for a long time....at this stage..... it's all about the hunt and not the kill.

[jakesbeard]

I still have access to places because I will shoot does one has a 5 doe min. still last year when I was sick and having only killed 1 deer with a recurve I called in a stand in shooter and later borrowed a crossbow to get it done in the past 15 years my doe kill has varied between a low of 3 and a high of 15. Truth be told I look forward to when I am living in Va. an hunting access won't depend on what I can pay or how many does I will shoot then I may only shoot 1 or 2 deer maybe 3 as a max.

[tcook8296]

I can definitely tell you, when you own the land you hunt, your hunting habits seem to change over night. Most I think become very more selective and limit their harvests. One thing that is great about controlling your own land is you can decide who hunts there and have your own set of rules. I told my brother he has to attend an orientation meeting before he can hunt my land lol

[Rusty]

I can definitely tell you, when you own the land you hunt, your hunting habits seem to change over night. Most I think become very more selective and limit their harvests. One thing that is great about controlling your own land is you can decide who hunts there and have your own set of rules. I told my brother he has to attend an orientation meeting before he can hunt my land lol

 

That's like the club by me.  They are very selective with what they shoot on their own land and they won't drive their own property but they drive the crap out of the nearby public land and shoot everything.  

[Almaink]

Why no zero? I don't shoot any anterless anymore and won't until the state stops issuing unlimited tags.