Would you support a state focused "deer hunters only" organization?

[Lundy]

creating a deer hunters coalition to represent the collective voice of Ohio's deer hunter.

I think it is a viable idea that could provide voice to many of the voiceless today. It certainly would create a more open communication and understanding with the ODNR.

It would however be a most difficult task to secure enough unanimity to provide any credence to your message, or for that matter to even gain access to the table.

If someone (group of someones) has the stamina and thick skin to carry this idea forward and stick through all of the downfalls along the way for the betterment of all I would support them in their effort.

However if the message is centered around just a small portion of the deer hunters in Ohio wants and desires I would not support the effort. If the message is reducing hunting opportunity, for example eliminating the 2 day gun, or any other initiative that would be based upon emotion instead of sound careful consideration for the improvement of the overall deer hunter experience and the resource itself I would not support that effort.

The single biggest challenge of any individuals joining together to create an initiative to improve the experience for ALL that they say they want to represent is removing their own personal bias in any evaluations and determinations. As an example, The QDMA is an organization that has a core philosophy that does not cater to or represent the average hunter. Contrary to the average hunter that is active on a hunting website the majority of hunters just want to get an opportunity to shoot a deer, any deer, with any weapon, during any season. As long as you include them, the majority of deer hunters, and their wants and needs you could build a coalition with a strong voice.

One last thought, you categorized the Buckeye Big Buck club as pro-ODNR, I think implying that in a negative context.. I would hope you don't intend to position the group as anti-ODNR. You will fail before you ever even get started.

I would like to hear more.

 

[angelzd28]

Sounds good so far, id be interested in hearing more

 

[BCamp]

I would like to hear more also, specifically what this organizations view of what the "average Joe hunter" is.

 

[cspot]

I think it is a viable idea that could provide voice to many of the voiceless today. It certainly would create a more open communication and understanding with the ODNR.

It would however be a most difficult task to secure enough unanimity to provide any credence to your message, or for that matter to even gain access to the table.

If someone (group of someones) has the stamina and thick skin to carry this idea forward and stick through all of the downfalls along the way for the betterment of all I would support them in their effort.

However if the message is centered around just a small portion of the deer hunters in Ohio wants and desires I would not support the effort. If the message is reducing hunting opportunity, for example eliminating the 2 day gun, or any other initiative that would be based upon emotion instead of sound careful consideration for the improvement of the overall deer hunter experience and the resource itself I would not support that effort.

The single biggest challenge of any individuals joining together to create an initiative to improve the experience for ALL that they say they want to represent is removing their own personal bias in any evaluations and determinations. As an example, The QDMA is an organization that has a core philosophy that does not cater to or represent the average hunter. Contrary to the average hunter that is active on a hunting website the majority of hunters just want to get an opportunity to shoot a deer, any deer, with any weapon, during any season. As long as you include them, the majority of deer hunters, and their wants and needs you could build a coalition with a strong voice.

One last thought, you categorized the Buckeye Big Buck club as pro-ODNR, I think implying that in a negative context.. I would hope you don't intend to position the group as anti-ODNR. You will fail before you ever even get started.

I would like to hear more.

You bring up some good points. Even in a group hunters that want the same ultimate goal, the desired path to get there may be different and therefore lead to some strong disagreements.

 

[Jackalope]

I would like to hear more also, specifically what this organizations view of what the "average Joe hunter" is.

That's a very good question and one that we plan to spend a considerable amount of time on. Organizations need to remain fluid and open to changing trends and opinions of their base while also trying to maintain a consistent direction. I'm sure that even after we think we have a great idea it will change and we will need to adapt.

 

[Steelheadtracker]

Id be interested.

 

["J"]

I guess figuring out the average Joe would be surveying and asking how many deer are harvested by the average hunter, number of days afield chasing deer, weapon of choice whether bow, gun or muzzle loader....

 

[GoetsTalon]

I'm in if I can yell at Metro Park people :smiley_bril:

You should listen not yell. More deer were killed this year by hunters after the cull than last year before it.

 

[giles]

I guess figuring out the average Joe would be surveying and asking how many deer are harvested by the average hunter, number of days afield chasing deer, weapon of choice whether bow, gun or muzzle loader....

Agreed, but where would you gather this info? Deer and turkey expo? I hope not, because I don't think the average guy goes to those types of things. And I think this is Kim's point. I'd also venture to say that your "average Joe" doesn't kill a deer. Look at the number of tags sold compared to deer harvested.

BTW, I'm on board with the idea.

Not sure I have any advice or thoughts to add at this point. I'll be back...

 

[bowhunter1023]

We are already planning to be at the D&T Expo to hand out a hunter participation and satisfaction survey. Collecting data will be a large part of this project, but it won't all come from the D&T Expo.

To address what Lundy said, this is not anti-DNR. However Mike and his buddies at the OBBC aren't exactly the crew to question the DNR. This group however, will have no affiliation to the DNR, nor will we be afraid to put them in the hot seat, something the OBBC will not do for political reasons. The aim is not to be anti-DNR, but we won't be their BFF either. This campaign will be carried out with the upmost respect and courtesy, but we will bring the heat (as needed) with the same respect and professionalism we'd all wish to be treated with. "Play nice in the sandbox" will be a common mantra iterated by me throughout this project.

 

["J"]

Agreed, but where would you gather this info? Deer and turkey expo? I hope not, because I don't think the average guy goes to those types of things. And I think this is Kim's point. I'd also venture to say that your "average Joe" doesn't kill a deer. Look at the number of tags sold compared to deer harvested.

BTW, I'm on board with the idea.

Not sure I have any advice or thoughts to add at this point. I'll be back...

I'd imagine you'd have to throw out a certain percentage of the top and bottom of the numbers....

# of tags sold per county vs harvest of said county? I know there's a lot of variables in that scenario but how else would it work?

 

[Jackalope]

I guess figuring out the average Joe would be surveying and asking how many deer are harvested by the average hunter, number of days afield chasing deer, weapon of choice whether bow, gun or muzzle loader....

The DNR has hunter observation surveys with a lot of that information. The good news is they're all subject to FOIA requests and relatively easily obtainable. Their surveys leave out some major questions around opinions however. The big question is what do hunters think about their experience, what do they think the problem areas are, and what concessions would they be willing to make to improve it. What do they think of the direction the deer population is headed, do they approve of the Job the DOW has done thus far, and what can we do as an org to help improve that for hunters.

A big portion of it will also be education. And this is where I think we'll make the biggest impact. Letting does walk, predator control, habitat improvement ideas. Literature to give their neighboring property owners to help spread the ideas. Because at the end of the day it is we hunters who make changes for better or worse. The reason the DNR was able to accomplish all of this was by in large using ourselves against us due to lack of organization and disinformation. An educated and unified deer hunter can no longer be used as a tool for self detriment.

 

["J"]

Good info Joe, there are deer hunters out there that are fairly ignorant to the game they're chasing..... Education is the answer and getting rid of the notion of its brown and down mentality.....

 

[Jackalope]

We are already planning to be at the D&T Expo to hand out a hunter participation and satisfaction survey. Collecting data will be a large part of this project, but it won't all come from the D&T Expo.

To address what Lundy said, this is not anti-DNR. However Mike and his buddies at the OBBC aren't exactly the crew to question the DNR. This group however, will have no affiliation to the DNR, nor will we be afraid to put them in the hot seat, something the OBBC will not do for political reasons. The aim is not to be anti-DNR, but we won't be their BFF either. This campaign will be carried out with the upmost respect and courtesy, but we will bring the heat (as needed) with the same respect and professionalism we'd all wish to be treated with. "Play nice in the sandbox" will be a common mantra iterated by me throughout this project.

Agreed. Neither of us are looking for a seat on the wildlife counsel or to rub elbows with the DOW brass at the next dog and pony dinner. The organization will exist to represent and bring forth the voice of it's members. This will be at odds with some pretty powerful opposing special interest whispering in the DOWs other ear; so I don't expect it to be received with welcome arms. It's not our intention to berate them, or to be their friends, but to be the voice of deer hunters.

 

[cspot]

Good info Joe, there are deer hunters out there that are fairly ignorant to the game they're chasing..... Education is the answer and getting rid of the notion of its brown and down mentality.....

I don't think that QDMA helped in regards to shooting doe. Seems that is all you heard for quite a while was "managing the doe herd" and getting a "good buck to doe ratio" and they preached about shooting does. It may have been needed in some areas, but I think went to far in some areas as well.

 

[MoonLab]

Agreed Joe and J

 

[OO2]

I think you could get the survey to be an option to be filled out when you buy a tag or permit. I think once the ball got rolling it would travel pretty quickly by word of mouth. Maybe a Facebook page that is shareable.

 

[OO2]

Use google forms to create survey then post up link to social media. Google forms is nice bc you could eliminate a lot of work by having the responses to your questions go automatically to google sheets (excel basically) so you can analyze data. I use it for post season surveys for my business. Works pretty good.

 

[bowhunter1023]

Social media will be a key component to this, no worries there.

 

[oakswamper]

You should listen not yell. More deer were killed this year by hunters after the cull than last year before it.

That has nothing to do with why I bitch at them but I won't hijack this thread.

I think this could be a good thing if people got involved