Hell, I'm Comanche and I'll take a shotgun over a bow any day lol!
I would die on the opposite hill
. The majority of big game is taken by firearm. In states that shorten or make the seasons outside mating season, harvest go down, and more young ones make it through to maturity. By decreasing the quantity, It increases the quality. Rather than close the seasons outside firearm season completely, it gives the die hards a chance to pursue the game with a much lower success rate. Basically, archery seasons don't have a significant impact on firearm hunters (aside from pressure), but firearm seasons do have a significant impact on archery hunters. Crossbows is a whole other argument as are traditional methods such as muzzleloader.
LoLI would die on the opposite hill
I respectfully disagree... WA State is a prime example.. WA has shortened seasons, made it so that you have to choose what weapon (only) you will hunt with during the respective big game season, (archery , muzzleloader or modern rifle) and in the case of elk, you need to choose which side of the State you will hunt in. Regardless of what weapon you choose, WA doesn't have ANY seasons during the mating seasons, even turkey is about a month later than the actual "mating" season).. Unless you draw a special permit in WA you won't be hunting a rut hunt.. that being said, the State has also imposed antler restrictions for deer and elk.
Respectfully, ****LoL
This started in the 1990s and NONE of this has improved herd health, antler or trophy quality, etc.
In fact Antler restrictions and season restrictions, often implemented to improve trophy quality in deer/elk populations, have not proven effective for several reasons:
Research indicates that antler-point restrictions and season restrictions do not lead to a significant increase in the number or proportion of mature bucks in a herd.
Quite the opposite, these restrictions primarily protect younger, smaller-antlered bucks, which can ultimately reduce the overall number of trophy bucks over time resulting in younger or genetically inferior bucks/bulls actually doing the bulk of the breeding.
Just my two cents worth..
Just kidding.
In Washington State in the 3 point or better areas finding a buck with 3 points or better on public land is like finding a unicorn. (Unless you draw special permits and can rut hunt or hunt the late season) And even those have significantly reduced trophy quality.Respectfully, ****
A lot of that makes sense. I think it varies by state, species, public vs private. I’m not a fan of areas restricted by weapon. We have it for Turkey in FL, with certain areas being archery or traditional only. I would think allowing limited tags for some to draw archery instead of firearm, with lower success rate, would provide more opportunity for those that draw firearm, but not vice versa.
What I have seen first hand in Indiana is a significant increase in quality due to restrictions. It went from average to one of, if not the top, BC producing state in the country. They used to allow 2 bucks. You could take 1 during archery and 1 during firearm and they are separate seasons. They switched to a 1 buck rule. What that did, was caused hunters to be more selective. Hunters started passing young deer, they’d normally take during archery, and would hold out for something bigger because regardless of season, once you tagged one, you were done. They also pushed the firearm season back, because it opened right around peak rut. Kids would shoot the first antlered deer they saw on opening firearm and they were running around nilly, willy. They began allowing centerfire rifles, as opposed to shotgun or straight wall only, which I think has a negative affect, but I’m for it because I prefer to use a centerfire myself. Most of the top BC producing states in the Midwest follow similar restrictions (Ohio, KY, Ill, MN, IA, WI, MO, KS).
I don’t know that I agree with antler and season restrictions not increasing number of mature animals. Sure genetics comes into play, but number one factor of antler quality is age. You said the restrictions protect the younger bucks, which is exactly what you want if you are trying to increase antler quality. Younger bucks breeding is no problem. Culling is a whole other topic. But even genetically inferior deer that gets to 5-6 is a big trophy. QDM is primarily focused on age and is pretty straightforward on the matter.
That could just be the nature of mature animals on public land. They got old, wise and nocturnal the more pressured they get. Just because you don't see them, doesn’t mean they aren’t there. Or they have abandoned area and gone to private. Does the archery or firearm area have better quality?
There's no archery or firearms areas per se. It's all the same public ground. You choose your preferred method and you get about a two week season (archery in September, muzzleloader first two weeks of October, rifle last two weeks of Oct.)
Interesting. So the seasons are different times and not overlapping? Do you think it’s archery and muzzleloader hunting that is affecting population? Sounds like there is just less population overall. Do you think it’s predation and the protections on wolves?
Cull deer are my favorite
Me too, I like 12 pointers just fine, weird racks are interesting too.
Those are beauts. Especially that wacky drop tine buck. Love the setup. Got a cousin in Oregon. Hope to make it out on a hunt someday.
Your always welcome out here... Can't guarantee anything but hopefully a good time
Those whitetail are bruisers! Well done!!
