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

[jagermeister]

Those organizations exist on a national level and most have state chapters. And I don't think anyone here is worried about a lack of squirrels.

Many of the initiatives of this group will have subsequent benefits for other animals. We don't need to muddy the waters and spread resources thin, we need a collective voice for just deer hunters. Plenty of other organizations out there carrying the torch for the duck, pheasant and turkey hunters.

That's fine. Just a suggestion. You stated yourself that there are already other deer-specific organizations too, that apparently aren't doing enough. I'm just stating the obvious that these other small game oriented organizations aren't doing enough either. I get it, though... Limited resources, limited objectives. Totally understandable.

 

[giles]

Those organizations exist on a national level and most have state chapters. And I don't think anyone here is worried about a lack of squirrels.

Many of the initiatives of this group will have subsequent benefits for other animals. We don't need to muddy the waters and spread resources thin, we need a collective voice for just deer hunters. Plenty of other organizations out there carrying the torch for the duck, pheasant and turkey hunters.

Careful...wasn't long ago and people weren't worried about the lack of deer either. I like the angle JB took on this. I also started out small game hunting.

 

[bowhunter1023]

All of those other voices will be targeted to become "strategic partners". Lots of folks at the table right now to represent all game animals, but most have a broader focus. We want to provide a stronger, more realistic deer hunter's voice to the conversation. Working closely with the DUs and the NWTFs, Pheasants Forever, and other sportsmen/habitat conservation focused groups will be a key part of what we do. Lots of synergies to the initiatives supported by a diverse group of organizations.

 

[Gordo]

Perhaps this could evolve into an organization that rallies for ALL game animals in Ohio. I could get behind that. If it's really "for the kids" and the future of hunting, you really need to take a look at small game hunting in Ohio. At the rate of today's habitat destruction in most of Ohio's farm country, there won't be any rabbits or game birds left for our children or our children's children. Hell, the state has already been discussing the elimination of the Pheasant Release program! I totally understand that we're very passionate about deer and deer hunting is the proverbial "cash cow," but think about it... How many of us deer hunters didn't start our hunting careers on deer? Small game it was!

#1 would be to protect the future of hunting in Ohio. How do you do that? Get young people involved so they have an interest. If future generations have no interest, it's done.

Everything else is a sub category from that. Small game habitat improvement, deer herd management, firearms, etc..

If the future is the foundation, you can pick and choose your battles and you'll never run out.

 

[Gordo]

All of those other voices will be targeted to become "strategic partners". Lots of folks at the table right now to represent all game animals, but most have a broader focus. We want to provide a stronger, more realistic deer hunter's voice to the conversation. Working closely with the DUs and the NWTFs, Pheasants Forever, and other sportsmen/habitat conservation focused groups will be a key part of what we do. Lots of synergies to the initiatives supported by a diverse group of organizations.

Your thinking right man. I like it.

 

[Gordo]

I just like the idea of emphasizing the 'future'.

If the 'Ohio big buck killers'(OBBK? Ha. Didn't mean to do that) dropped a flyer off at my door or showed up to tell me what I should or shouldn't due on my 8 acres regarding the deer herd, i'd laugh in there faces.

If the 'Ohio Whitetails Forever' organization dropped by or left a flyer at my door regarding the same exact thing regarding deer, I'd listen or read it.

 

[GoetsTalon]

That's if the other organizations will get involved. I remember back when we wanted dove hunting in Ohio and asked for DU's help. The answer was no. Dropped my membership and never looked back.

 

[bowhunter1023]

That's if the other organizations will get involved. I remember back when we wanted dove hunting in Ohio and asked for DU's help. The answer was no. Dropped my membership and never looked back.

This idea has been given support by the President of an organization that can help us establish these other relationships. We won't know for sure until we ask for a signature, but things look good thus far.

 

[GoetsTalon]

That's great news!!!

 

[livetohunt228]

Count me in 100%. The legislation ain't going to change things because they have the insurance companies and other interest groups pushing for more deer to be killed. I believe only us as the hunters, the ones pulling the triggers and releasing the arrows can make a "real" change... and 1 needs to be made real quick before we see this awesome thing we all call and love deer hunting a thing of the past

 

[hickslawns]

Listening in. Digesting what I read. Unnaturally quiet so far. Intrigued though.

 

[RedCloud]

I'm in.

Education is going to be the biggest thing. Getting good statistics and good information in an easy to follow flow is going to be huge. Many hunters regardless of their level of hunting won't take the time to read something that's more than a few pages long and even less if it's a bunch of numbers tossed out.

With social media these days I'm not worried at all about getting the word out of an organization. Click and share is an easy thing to do as well as a #

I think Gordo is on to something with the "future" label. People need to understand this isn't going to be an overnight success and everything will be fixed by next season. The more support the organization can get will be a huge help and get things moving a little quicker to change. This is going to be a long haul but it has to start somewhere.

 

[giles]

"By a raise of hands, who in this room is seeing less deer?" Boom, you have everyone's attention. "Little late for the blaming game, so what are we going to do to fix it?"

 

[Gern186]

I saw less deer this year. Yep. The sky isn't falling in the NW part of the state though in my opinion. Plenty of nice deer have been shot this year and continue to be. And we have very little cover up here. And TONS of pressure on the deer.

 

[giles]

I saw less deer this year. Yep. The sky isn't falling in the NW part of the state though in my opinion. Plenty of nice deer have been shot this year and continue to be. And we have very little cover up here. And TONS of pressure on the deer.

Who said the sky was falling? I'm not saying that at all. But year after year the numbers are less and this trend needs to slow down/level off/or even grow in some areas. To sit back and continue and do nothing is something that hasn't been working out very good for us. Do we want to be the next "grouse hunters"? That is a perfect example of what could happen. I simply don't like what I'm seeing and would like to make a difference, sign me up.

 

["J"]

I don't ever see deer or turkey for that matter ever going to the grouse side of things, way too much money being brought in by those two game animals....

I do agree we need too cool our heels on the number of tags issued and the bag limits for most of the state.... Some areas are still overpopulated and typically it's do to little to no access to these deer, something that needs to be addressed as well....

 

[finelyshedded]

I can see it now though if we have a voice at the table along with the FB,NW and ODNR when asked, "Who here is seeing less deer!", and our hands are raised to the heavens! Those 3 look at each other and back at us and and say, "Good, that's the way we want it and the way it's gonna stay!!!"

Hope I'm wrong but that's the way I see it going down!:tantrum:

 

[Jackalope]

I can see it now though if we have a voice at the table along with the FB,NW and ODNR when asked, "Who here is seeing less deer!", and our hands are raised to the heavens! Those 3 look at each other and back at us and and say, "Good, that's the way we want it and the way it's gonna stay!!!"

Hope I'm wrong but that's the way I see it going down!:tantrum:

Well. Here's the problem with that.. 228,530 hunters in Ohio purchased at least 1 deer permit last year. If NW ever publicly admitted to actively seeking the destruction of the deer population I'm sure the organisational membership would love to know. Perhaps there's a more hunter friendly insurance company who would love their business. FB and NW have money to donate to politicians, but what's the one thing a politician needs more than money, Votes. The ear of 228,530 potential voters goes way further than a campaign contribution. As for the DNR, Win the politicians and you win the DNR. Other special interest has won the DNR through money donated to state legislators, we're going to try and win them by organizing potential voters.

 

[finelyshedded]

Well. Here's the problem with that.. 228,530 hunters in Ohio purchased at least 1 deer permit last year. If NW ever publicly admitted to actively seeking the destruction of the deer population I'm sure the organisational membership would love to know. Perhaps there's a more hunter friendly insurance company who would love their business. FB and NW have money to donate to politicians, but what's the one thing a politician needs more than money, Votes. The ear of 228,530 potential voters goes way further than a campaign contribution. As for the DNR, Win the politicians and you win the DNR. Other special interest has won the DNR through money donated to state legislators, we're going to try and win them by organizing potential voters.

Hopefully that is what happens! Doing nothing isn't the answer either, IMO.

 

[CritterGitterToo]

Definitely!! I don't have a lot of time to give with a family and 2 jobs, but I'd gladly write a checkc and support the group as a paid member. I would hope the focal point would be conservation in the truest sense of the word.

One concern, haven't others who tried something like this been threatened to stop or cease, lest they face serious consequences (legal)? What if that rears its ugly head on this go around?

This is something that is needed. I see it as a monumental undertaking that will be hard to get into fruition. I hope it does. I'm always willing to offer my ideas, and as stated previously, my financial support.