Hats off to Ohio Division of Wildlife
- Thread starter Pabowbender
- Start date
Bingo... I don't think they need to restrict bucks though, just doe. A NR isn't the guy that's going to "waste" a tag on a scrub buck. Those are residents doing that.
I have spoke with many a NR that had taken small bucks because they "had hunted hard for almost a week and wanted to bring something home" Or "this was the only buck that I had a shot at and I did not want to 'waste' a tag".
Making NRs draw permits for public lands currently being over run with NRs has not hurt other states. I do not see why Ohio would be different.
Raising NR license and/or deer tags would reduce, not eliminate NRs and if done properly would maintain funding. I am OK with that.
Take a drive through Woodbury or AEP (or any other state lands in decent deer country other than possibly WNF) during the rut and
you will see at least 10 NR plates for every res plate. I am not in favor nor do I think we should try to eliminate NRs from hunting
OUR state but the current state of affairs is not acceptable either. Adjustments seem to be needed.
I stand corrected then. I personally have never met one of those guys. So I spoke from my personal experiences from the guys I spoke with. And with what I read from the NR on this site. None of them come here for the meat, it's all about that bone. Sure you get the guys along the borders that jump across the line to help fill the freezer, but aren't they more local than most of Ohio hunters in those areas? I hardly consider them outsiders...
I will 100% agree that something needs to change. But I don't think it's limited to one side of the fence. Both sides need adjustment in order for a change to happen.
I will 100% agree that something needs to change. But I don't think it's limited to one side of the fence. Both sides need adjustment in order for a change to happen.
I have heard this from guys from at least 12 states not just bordering states. To be 100% clear every one of the NR's I have spoken with seemed like genuinely nice hard working folks and I have even kept in contact with a couple. EDIT:On more thing I forgot to mention, even though my place is incredibly close to a public area I have never had to run off a trespassing NR while I have had to run multiple res hunters
All I want to see happen is that our state bring its NR fees in line with other big buck destination states as well as some way to limit the numbers of NRs piling into any one given public area. Wouldn't this improve hunting for the NRs as well?
Think about it, if you were a NR you would look for a few things before making plans. Such as: A chance at a big buck, Ohio? check (behind every tree, lol). Access to public land, Ohio? check (ZERO restrictions). License and deer tags available, Ohio? check (also ZERO restrictions and as an added bonus one of the, if not THE cheapest of all the big buck destinations!)
I am interested in your last two sentences. What adjustments would you suggest for res hunters? Not calling you out in any way, I just have not given much thought to it and it seems like you may have.
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cspot
Member
A NR Antlerless license costs $26.90 and if you apply on time you are pretty much guarenteed to get 1 for whatever WMU that you want. In some areas of the state, you would be able to get 3 and near Pittsburgh and Philly you can get unlimited.
Hortontoter
Senior Member
I had four young hunters from VT hunt land that borders mine last season. The first evening there they took two does. They were probably use as "camp meat" during their hunt. I even wonder if they were tagged due to the easy way of getting around telecheck. The sad part is that I pass on does all the time to try to increase the herd in my area. But, it is easy to see not everyone thinks like I do.
I'm not saying these were "the dreaded NR's". But, they didn't hesitate two arrow a couple does.
I'm not saying these were "the dreaded NR's". But, they didn't hesitate two arrow a couple does.
cspot
Member
Ok a few things speaking from my personal experience as a NR.
1. I didn't buy property in Ohio for the "bone". I am sure many do but that wasn't my choice. For me it was about opportunity. Ohio has Sunday hunting and generally longer seasons than PA. I could greatly expand my hunting time. Living close to the border it makes Ohio a short drive.
2. I agree that lease prices are outrageous. I started out looking at that route, but decided quickly for the cost that I could buy something of my own. Don't feel bad as PA is quickly becoming a hunting lease state as well. It isn't just Ohio.
3. From what I have seen in SE Ohio, there isn't as many deer as there is where I am from in PA. Population isn't horrible, but I fully expect to not see the number of deer. Still haven't seen a big buck even though I have checked behind every tree. LOL.
1. I didn't buy property in Ohio for the "bone". I am sure many do but that wasn't my choice. For me it was about opportunity. Ohio has Sunday hunting and generally longer seasons than PA. I could greatly expand my hunting time. Living close to the border it makes Ohio a short drive.
2. I agree that lease prices are outrageous. I started out looking at that route, but decided quickly for the cost that I could buy something of my own. Don't feel bad as PA is quickly becoming a hunting lease state as well. It isn't just Ohio.
3. From what I have seen in SE Ohio, there isn't as many deer as there is where I am from in PA. Population isn't horrible, but I fully expect to not see the number of deer. Still haven't seen a big buck even though I have checked behind every tree. LOL.
There are a few contribuing factors to this statement and one of them is the MASSIVE amount of NR hunters that come to this county from PA, WV, Maryland and other eastern states. Washington County is one of the easiest and quickest counties to get to in Ohio from the east and is the largest land mass county, with plenty of WNF, so it gets pounded by the "brown and down" folks, as well as the big buck hunters. WV hunters bring the same mentality (largely) to our county that the employ in their own state, and we all know how great a deer hunting state it is...
I try to stay out of this conversation as it ruffles too many feathers and as an owner, I should remain somewhat neutral. But I am growing more and more impatient with the current state of affairs and before much longer, I'm going to start speaking my mind on a much larger scale...
cspot
Member
You won't ruffle my feathers. LOL. I don't doubt that based on location that it receives a good bit of pressure. I think I remember reading the the Ohio DNR went thru a herd reduction program back several years ago to lower the deer population? I know PA did and likely went a little too far in several areas. The last couple of years they have greatly reduced the antlerless allocations to help remedy this a little.
The DNR is still on the herd reduction program. Opportunity not tags is what kills deer, and we have plenty of opportunities.
bigten05
*Supporting Member*
Im a non resident hunter in a few states every year. And have friends that come up from Tennessee and hunt with me every year so I see both side of it. I say Ohio needs to to something different to help the hunting for everyone. My buddies that we hunt with shoot a few does and hold out for a good buck also. They take all the meat back with them that they can because they say it's way better than the meat they get from there deer.
Hortontoter
Senior Member
I think cspot made the best decision he could have made. Buying his own land was a smart move. Why lease when you can buy. Many hunters rely on a landowner to grant them permission for free or at little cost. This idea worked well 20 years ago, but times have changed. Next time you get ready to plunk down $40-60,000 for a new pick-up with all the bells and whistles, think what that money could buy for you to use the rest of your life.
Ahh, I see what you mean now. Yes and I would be just fine with no doe kill on public for 2 or 3 years first
I welcome all hunters and fishermen, as I would wish to be welcomed when I travel.
And I'm glad that the thread starter got good service from a govt agency, and was nice enough to say thanks.
I hope to be hunting MI and KY in the future, and hope to have as good an experience.
And I'm glad that the thread starter got good service from a govt agency, and was nice enough to say thanks.
I hope to be hunting MI and KY in the future, and hope to have as good an experience.