Deer Hunters

[Real Deal]

I see in the Democrap that a new group has formed to protest the excessive doe harvest in the state. There is also a lot of talk and rumor about several changes for the 2004 Deer season. Most of this stems from Gulf States lease rules about intense doe harvest in our area. Anyone have any thoughts? A lot of people think Gulf States/Westervelt Wildlife Services has ruined the deer hunting in this area. I tend to agree.

[Jeff]

I don't really think that the blame for a poor season can be placed on one group or company. Even if the limits on deer were placed too high, it is the hunters discretion as to whether or not to take that many deer. I for one wouldn't shoot two does a day for the entire season, that's a bit excessive.

This season was slow in comparison to other seasons. I didn't get anything, nor did a buddy of mine. But I don't blame Gulf States/Westervelt Wildlife Services for that. I think it was just a slow season. I am sure next season will be better.

[dave]

Excessive doe-killing has been going on for years. Not to mention the killing of young bucks barely showing horns.

[Stonehenge]

I saw a good number of deer this year. However, they were all does. I believe the excessive hunting of small bucks is the real problem. Why would grown adults cosistently shoot spikes, four points and small buck? I hear this from people throughout all of hunting season. If you are wanting meat - shoot a doe. If you are wanting a trophy buck - you must not shoot every buck you see. I think there are plenty of does, just the number of buck to doe ratio is so low, we don't see them moving very much during rut. They don't have to.

[Ranger]

I didn't see anything worth shooting this year either, but I didint go as much as i wanted to either. I wont shoot a buck unless I plan to mount it. Now as far as does are concerned I will shoot one for meat and thats it and Continue to hunt till I see that BIG BUCK. Yeah it was a slow year, in fact the slowest I have seen here, but how can you blame Gulf States or Westervelt, I havent seen the paper but I will read it tonight.

[snafu]

I feel that we have only ourselves to blame for this situation. There is a several reasons for our poor buck harvest and the general decline in rack size. The season-long doe season for the past 2 seasons has not helped. The increase in hunter numbers, length of doe season, loss of habitat, hunter competition ("I've killed more than anyone else in the club!!") and a decline in row cropping in this area are all major factors in the decline of deer hunting. The decline in habitat (loss of mature hardwood forest areas) and increase in land rent for clubs has also played a major role. Many people feel if they pay to hunt they have to harvest everything they see to recoup their investment.

[Real Deal]

I know several people who are on Gulf States leases and they tell me that Gulf States requires, as a condition of the lease, that a minimum number of does be killed each year. People do this in order to keep their lease year after year. After a few years of killing every doe you see, you can't find a doe if your life depended on it. They say that this will improve hunting because you are eliminating competition for food and the bucks will be better nourished thus growing larger racks. But, when the rut kicks in, the bucks leave and go to property where there are some does. Resulting in the hunter going several days without seeing even one deer. Makes a whole lotta sense dosn't it? Gulf States/Westervelt have sold this box of sugar covered %$@# to enough people as a "deer management program" and "Quality deer management" and it has steadily driven up the lease rates. Most folks around here can't afford to lease the land and people from out of town are coming in here and snatching it up and killing everything that walks because if they don't they feel like they got ripped off because there are not many deer left on this property. There has to be a point when you say "hey guys, I think since we have taken 150 does off of this 800 acres in the last two years, maybe we should give it a break next year." But then again, I'm no Wildlife Biologist with an agenda and a bottom line to worry about. If you don't believe me, talk to some people who are on this program.