Create Fishing Report
Upload Photo Gallery Picture
Add a Classified
Fishing Report and More....
Just wondering what everyone's opinion is on the early doe season added this year.
Most of the guys I have heard from don't seem to be too keen on the idea.
I myself think it's just another gimick by our DNR to squeeze a few extra dollars from the sportsmen.
I agree. If the early doe season was "bow only" I might be ok with it. As an avid bowhunter I think all it does is interfere with deer movement and reduces early bow season sucess.
Personally I would rather see the late season come back - too much going on already this time of year, fishing is still good and its to warm to let a deer lay after the shot to retrieve it if it's not dead on first shot.
Ever one I know bypassed the early doe season. They said they didn't want to screw up bow season. My son said he saw in the newspaper, the DNR said the hunt was a big flop. -Del
I live in mid michigan and we have a lot of deer around. I would say we have 4 does to every buck if not more. I have heard that game management area's trying to raise big bucks like a 1.5 does per 1 buck ratio. What do you guys think of this idea.
I agree,NO MORE EARLY DOE season.Do not support the DNR anymore.We are all not fools.
I would support a early Doe season but why not have the Youth season before the early Doe? Give the kids the first chance! Lets be realistic, we all know there was bucks killed during the early doe season
I think it was a great idea. It is a good oportunity to put some early meat in the freezer. I am also happy about the crossbow law it is about time michigan got with it.
Some one said it would screw up bow season. How would the early doe season do that! My deer always seem to stick around the same area.
Okay to all the haters of killing does out there, especially ones that complain about early season or youth hunts. Look we have a lot of does out there, in fact I think in Michigan we have like a 6 to 1 ratio pretty much anywhere you go. In fact, I used to be in strong opposition of this doe season untill I actually read into why we do this(I always have shot does though). As a hunter we want to harvest deer. Take Iowa or Kansas, they are huge on killing does in fact one hunter can kill 10 does a year in Kansas I remember reading. These states acutally have a 2 to 1 ratio and guess what, the bucks they have running around there are huge( largley due to how people hunt the state, the game management policies and people killing and eating does) See when we harvest these does and take them for food it takes all you doe killing haters and stops you from killing spike and 4 pointers, because in all actuality you are the ones that are making it worse for all of us. you can gripe all you want about a doe killed is going to kill offspring, but a 1 1\2 old buck killed didn't help the chance of it breeding, on top of that all you na sayers out there that I shoot scrub bucks to cull the herd, there is not one piece of evidence out there that says a spike can't become a tropy, if fact some animals racks can change drastically just by having good nurishment and easy conditions, by eliminating alot of does you make it easier to find food, you will see more bucks that are quality becasue you are not killing dinks and they will have to search harder for breeding. All in all it is a good thing.
Now to put to rest the "well I hunt in the area where 452 was and all the deer are gone. Good, there were a shit load of deer up there, hence "T.B." now there is not. I hunt primarily in that area and thank god every time I hunt I am not seeing 30 does a night. I see more bucks now. In fact I have taken a 135 inch 10 and a 120 inch 9 in the past 2 years. A very good friend of mine owns a large parcel in that area and for a few years he killed hella does and then bitched about not seeing alot of deer, however he has bitten his lip now because he still sees deer but now more buks, less does and is happy for it.
He and I both harvest does every year, in fact I shoot two and hunt for mature bucks.
If you want a healthy population, kill does, not small bucks, this is not a penis showing competition. A spike on the wall is not an accomplishment. Try to kill a 4 year old doe, that is fun, tough and exciting. Let em grow and quit bitching about doe killing,it will only help you. The DNR are not iddiots on this one( I agree they don't always get it right).
Read any QDM programs from Kansas, Ohio, Illinois, Iowa you will be amazed at the amount of hughe bucks and large doe kill they have. We are the opposite. We have way more hunters than any of those states and perhunter to doe we shoot far less.
Just my thoughts on this one.
We dont shoot does on my land and have taken bucks every year and nothing under a 6 pt . We do pass alot of spikes and forks but its all by choice I know the land owners around my property all agreed no does and it works for us .
Now we do go out muzzle loading season and shoot does out on farms that ask us too but then again we donate two deers to locals that have fallen on harder times ( we ask the local churches).
I just have never favored early seasons or youth hunts I guess because I started at 15yrs old and went same time every one else went .
Most of southern Michigan is overpopulated with deer. This is where the early antlerless season takes place, in zone 3. The DNR was forced to create this season because of the average hunters unwillingness to kill does. Over the years, this has created overpopulation problems along with the buck to doe ratio being heavily skewed towards female deer. MI hunters put WAY too much pressure on antlered bucks, with the combo tags, ridiculously long gun seasons and the "gotta have my buck" mentality, our buck hunting is a joke compared to what it could be. Every single state(or province) that surrounds Michigan has considerably better quality hunting for deer. Michigan hunters need to get it through their thick skulls that there is nothing wrong with shooting does when the deer numbers are high, it is the right thing to do. Also, I applaud people for passing on 1.5yo bucks, but if you are going to pass spikes and four pts, then why the hell are you shooting 6pts, because most of them are probably 1.5yo as well. Because they have 1" browtines? Hey look that forkhorn has browtines, HE's a SHOOTER! I've never understood that one. We shoot plenty of does every year on the lands that I hunt, and pass every buck that is under 3.5yo(spread must be at the ears or beyond is one criteria), the hunting has only gotten better.
In response to Doubtndude, just because you didn't start hunting till you were 15 should not mean that there should be no early season, also as for the youth, if you are against it, well that is being selfish. I am 30 started hunting when in was 12, that was with a bow. I started shooting my bow with my Dad when I was 8 I couldn't wait till I was 12. To be able to get a young impressionalble mind involved in the outdoors at any young age should be highly encouraged!!! Would you rather have them home on the computer or x-box?? You are missing the point to youth hunts. If you have a problem with that then you are just a selfish hunter. There are plenty of deer to go around. lastly, why would you pass on does but shoot a 6 point? Look if you have never shot a buck or one, I guess I can understand your reasoning. I took me about 15 bucks before I said okay a 4 pointer is not a big deal, neither is a 6er that is inside the ears. The funnny thing is I used to hunt and that was all I seen so my reasoning for shooting these littler ones was "thats all I see" but the great thing is if you let them hang around you eventually those quality bucks will show up, they are there watching, I just needed to learn patience.
Bottom line you should not pass up a doe because you think it will better the herd, diseases are created with over populated areas, in harsh winters there is less to go around for food and if you are a provider the fact that they taste better should get you off killing small bucks that have been pissin all over themselves.
Just by reading some of doubtndude posts he does not seem very sportsman like. He comes to me as a selfish person and does not care about the kids.
I guess when you buy your land or stock your pond then you can hunt what you want off your land . And take the fish you want out of your pond . My Daughters hunt my property along with the 240 acres around it and all the property owners agreed on the no does and any buck 6 pts and up thats just our way , and we all do things in our own ways .
Its a no win deal you like shooting does I dont simple. I didnt ask you too believe either way thats what make it nice to live in America freedom of speech & choice . Its a forum where you can type your opinion and I did you like youth hunts I don't and life still goes on take your kids hunting and fishing great what you do on your land is your choice all I am saying is what goes on at my property cuntboy aka jgoss it must suck to have to post how great you are and at the same time ask others for their spot to take the kid that skips a year was it a 7 yr old that leaps to 9 yrs old? Your a poacher not pedofile calm down relax take a pill your the masterbaiter & poacher .
240+ acres, and you won't shoot does, but you all agree to kill off the yearling 6pts. Sound like a recipe for some sh#tty hunting and I'm real glad that you aren't my neighbor. Strange hunting practices like this are the reason that Michigan is overrrun with does and very few bucks reach maturity.
Also, why don't you like the youth hunt? I've got to hear the reason behind this.
I told you denny he is not a SPORTSMAN!
Cuntboy all you did is change you name yet again, and you finally got a few people who agree with taking a spike. What ever dude your a lowlife POS. anyone who wants to know who country boy is look at the forum posted in defense of Jgoss1205 then read all the forums that he has posted and you will find that country boy is a new member asking all the same questions. All of his animosity against Doubtndude is because Doubtndude pulled his BITCH card. He is a poacher and I am sure will shoot anything that move just like he keeps any fish that can fit the hook in its mouth. The proof is in the pictures.
As far as hunting I hunt for food and only kill does that’s all I need. I did have a nice 10pt in front of my bow and I was drawn back on it. I had a good shot but not the perfect shot and instead of taking a chance of injuring it I let it go. Just me I guess I have come across 1 to many injured animals due to hunters that don't take the time to practice with their weapon of choice. Come on man go to a range or put up a target and sight your weapon. I got a Doe once that had an arrow that the wound actually closed around. WTF is that about? SIGHT YOU WEAPONS! Sorry about all the bitching guys Just me shooting off some scatter shot.
I think the point that is being missed here is that we in Mich have a very high doe to buck ratio. Take all the that is what we do policies away from it and look at actual evidence of how other states hunt and you can understand why we have poor buck hunting. we have a lot of people out there that only want to shoot a buck. and really a buck is great but if you like to eat venison then a doe should suit just as well. As for the youth, those few kids that actually take deer they are not huritn your opportunity to kill deer, in fact i highly doubt that they will affect the deer movement. it is such a short hunt and on top of that small bucks are the dumbest ones out there aside from fawns so i dont see that being a legit reason either. it is too bad that more of us hunters out here would take out our personal feelings and look at what makes a successful hunting area and follow those ways. The 2 biggest bucks i have killed have been on state land way way back in a big ass swamp that i will not mention. I waited 5 years to kill my first buck out there, seen all kinds of them but finally after passing NICE 6 or 7 or 8 pointers I finall seen king dina ling and made it happen. I hunt a 40 in greenbush that is private but it is full of immature bucks and does so i do my part and kill does. The funny thing hunting state land we are so far back you almost have to be crazy to go where we do but it is like having a gigantic piece of property to hunt and it is nice to have that opportunity.
Good one cuntboy, deer management specialist everyone knows you and your dad are above take immature bucks. Must have left your glasses at home for the button buck, and well dad got buck fever when he saw the spread on that spike, are those 3 or 4 inch spikes. Cuntboy you are right about the crossbow it’s hard to hold your flashlight and shoot a bow! Leave it to the physically impaired. As to the doe base yes it out of control but adding more seasons is not the answer. I agree with the youth hunt they are our future and it is a good family bonding hunt. It should be doe licenses and buck permits!
Remember that crossbows are not only for the physically impaire, I will have my daughter and possibly my wife shoot deer this year with one.
They will not put in the time to practice with a bow and I do not want a them to wound a deer, even though I know it could happen with a crossbow also.
And to Anderson, if you hunt long enough and kill enough deer in your life, unfortunaly the chances are great in our sport that you will wound a deer and lose it, especialy with a bow. So speak easy on bashing your fellow sportsman. We are not all perfect, even with hours and days of practice.
As far as the early season goes, I will participate by having my kids and wife kill off the does, prudenski25 explained that quite well.
Stop the fighting over what is right and what is wrong, you do your thing and I will do mine!
Anti-Hunter idiots like some people on here I beleive are, love it when sportsman fight and cant agree on anything.
No, you are right SCHLAUG especially with bow hunting. The smallest branch and change the direction of an arrow. I'm not trying to bash that. I would just like to see some people take more time to practice and get familiar with their weapons. I ounce met a guy who claimed to be a former Marine. He had a beautiful 300 ultra mag and had just had it bore sighted. We went to the range for some target practice and I'll tell you I wouldn't want to hunt within miles of someone like him. He couldn’t hit the broad side of a barn on purpose. The guy never sighted his scope; he thought that because it was bore sighted that the weapon was perfect and ready to go. Just because a rifle has a scope doesn’t make it zeroed in. He would have been better off using iron sights. Its people like that who just assume they can buy a weapon and shoot a deer or any game for that matter with out general knowledge that burns me. Now I know I can pick up any M-16 and battle zero it and go 3 clicks clockwise on the front and 4 notches counter clockwise on the rear and be ready to rock and roll. How ever I would still rather zero a weapon, 3 rounds at a time just to be sure.
No doubt, guys like that are not sportsmen. You have to put more time into the sport in the off season than during the season to be proficient with any weapon.
Can you believe the bait ban? Like that is going to stop the spread of disease. I swear sometimes I think that the dnr wants to make every thing hard so we dont do it anymore.
Can you believe the bait ban? Like that is going to stop the spread of disease. I swear sometimes I think that the dnr wants to make every thing hard so we dont do it anymore.
Yeah teh bait ban kinda sucks, but all the bait I seen for sale last year tells me that most were not sticking to not baiting. I enjoyed hunting over bait for deer, It was nice for killing those tasty does that people don't like to shoot!!
There is still bait for sale all over by me! I am not sure who is doing it but there were some large carrot and apple piles in the land behind my trailer last hunting season. I cannot wait for this years season the deer should be really fat from eatting all winter!
As for the early doe season i think they put it a little to early in the yr i mean its usually in the 70s who wants to deer hunt then? if you shoot one u have to gut it n leave right than so it dont spoil. I think it should be a late doe maybe 1st 2wks of jan or something. I have property in calhoun county n only time we shoot a doe is late in the firearm season or muzzle. If you think about it the more does u shoot n more pressure u put on the deer early in season less likely u are to see that trophy buck...as in right now bucks r starting to rut n every does u shoot now is one less that trophy might be chasing by ur stand for a piece of tail. 8s or bigger on my land and we usually avg 4 a yr at that size n thats on 50 acres. does keep the bucks in ur area with less does on ur property ull have less buck they travel close by them this time of yr. Im not sayn dont shoot them by any means but is better to wait till after the rut..but for the early youth hunt i think that is GREAT give our youngsters a early chance at a buck! i wish they had that when i was a kid..good luck to all deer are gettn hot n startn to chase does n rut next 2wks should be auwesome unless we get a really bad storm n it holds them down n screws up the rut
I personally feel the early doe harvest is an opportunity to thin the already low heard down further. All too often we find the insurance companys feeding public officials $$ for such foolish hunts. I pulled my trail camera on the 16th to find a doe and two fawns. One of the fawns was actually still nursing on the doe! Take out one doe with the potential of eliminating three. Coyotes in my area are plentyfull and would feast on a couple fawns left to defend for themselfs.