Neighbors- doe slaying

[at1010]

It is no secret many of us believe the deer numbers are lower than we would like. I was very happy when the ODNR dropped the tags to 2 per county.

When running cameras I am seeing good numbers on camera. Several nice bucks around as well. However I would like to have a few more deer around as well. My neighbors and myself have decided not to shoot any does as we believed the numbers are hurting.

One neighbor who I am friends with (not part of group above) not a big hunter but they do have guys come in for gun season. He told me they killed 15 deer during gun season this year alone!!! I was shocked and more shocked to find out most of the deer where does. Now they probably hunt near 500 acres but that's still a lot of deer.

I am sure they all were taken legally. How would you approach this situation?

What I've done so far:
Made it clear we are not happy with overall numbers
Told him we are passing does

Should I try to talk to Him about next year trying to let more live? Something's we can't blame on the ODNR. We as hunters need to stick together and make good choices. Unless the ODNR was to eliminate a doe season for a year (which won't happen) it is up to us.

Sorry for rant. Just a very frustrated dedicated hunter. Who is still at it with his bow, going into January.

 

[bigten05]

It will be hard to get them to change there ways if that's how they fill there freezers. Good luck just talk to him and see what they are interested in

 

[at1010]

It will be hard to get them to change there ways if that's how they fill there freezers. Good luck just talk to him and see what they are interested in

Thanks.

I should add. I can saw for certain there is about another 500+ acres no deer where taken. That is at minimum keeping the numbers at some degree decent. However for the last couple years I've wondered why the numbers haven't exploded. I now know.

 

[hickslawns]

Continued discussions with the neighbor. That is the only thing I see happening which "might" help a little. Chat with the hunters on his property? Ha. Good luck with that. It might work, but I'm guessing that would be a long long shot. Sounds like that is what those guys enjoy.

 

[finelyshedded]

Join the club Al! This problem will always exist until there is just no more deer. There will always be those who make sacrifices and those that take more than their share. It's about glass half full or half empty and hunters will never be on the same page as far as what they feel are good deer numbers.

Just how it is.

 

[Redhunter1012]

It's difficult when others agendas are perfectly legal/ethical, but dont mesh with yours. I guess communication and gentle nudging may be the only way. Try and have your complete plan laid out for when he ask's the inevitable, "Why should I?"

 

[at1010]

Thanks guys.

It's come to a point I hate gun season. I hate it because so many people come and hunt for 2 days a year. They drive, party hunt, and shoot every deer they can. They have no attachment to the land. They drive back home to their neighborhood after the rape, pillage and plunder of public land and small farms they have permission to hunt.

The conversations will continue. I know I am in the wrong to over pressure the guy. If they are killing them legally and they want to allow that many deer to be taken. Well that's that I suppose.

I see why guys offer farmers leases. This is crossing my mind. Spending money to ensure deer are silly not being slaughtered. Wow, that's a ridiculous thing to have to consider.

 

[Redhunter1012]

You're not in the wrong at all for wanting to be a better conservationist. It's just a tough proposition for some people to hear. You may be surprised and he could be open to it. You gotta start some where. Good luck

 

[bowhunter1023]

You're a sales guy Al, work you magic. Perhaps consider a "formal" neighborhood deer management cooperative. Our neighborhood co-op is informal, but revolves around constant communication. We still have a few idiots to deal with, but things are much improved over the past few years.

 

[5Cent]

Join the club Al! This problem will always exist until there is just no more deer. There will always be those who make sacrifices and those that take more than their share. It's about glass half full or half empty and hunters will never be on the same page as far as what they feel are good deer numbers.

Just how it is.

Ric, please explain if the hunters did not exceed allowable bag limits.

You're a sales guy Al, work you magic. Perhaps consider a "formal" neighborhood deer management cooperative. Our neighborhood co-op is informal, but revolves around constant communication. We still have a few idiots to deal with ,but things are much improved over the past few years.

A person who hunts to fill tags legally is now an idiot?!?

Come on fellas, lets not throw rocks. Statements like above is what gives the impression of "high & mighty". It does not bother me, but for new guys or other guys that dont know you personally may not feel the the same.

 

[Big_Holla]

Others have pretty much covered it I'd say. About the only thing you can do is talk to them and tell them your concerns and what you are doing on your place. Maybe they don't see a problem with the deer herd but perhaps they are working harder than ever to get those deer on the ground.

 

[Boarhead]

Deer hunters are a fickle bunch and will never agree on this topic.
You can only do what you feel is right but if they have their tags and are doing it legal not much ya can really do.
I only bow hunt so on that we get over 4 months to hunt and gun hunters 13 days total.
Their are some guys that only gun hunt so in their mind they just might wish our bow season was only half of what we get now.
Like i said deer hunters are the worst to agree on anything,just look at the recent threads on here about deer numbers,wasn't long and our own TOO members were getting very heated with each other.Pretty sad to get that way over one animal.
Good luck Al hope you guys can find some common ground and sort things out.

 

[giles]

These are the hunters praising the ODNR and having the best seasons ever. When the truth of the matter is the state had nothing to do with the local deer herd.

Personally, I'd drop into deer camp and sit around the fire for a few nights. SE what you're dealing with. Then decide what to do. Leave your emotions on your property though.

 

[bowhunter1023]

A person who hunts to fill tags legally is now an idiot?!?

Well no, but that's one way to interpret what I wrote I guess. However these folks truly are idiots and if you'd like me to explain, I can provide numerous examples of why you wouldn't want these people living next to you. Legal and ethical are two different things and I know you know that. Being compliant to the laws doesn't mean you're excused of being an idiot.

Is that acceptable to you or am I being too high and mighty?

 

[giles]

Ric, please explain if the hunters did not exceed allowable bag limits.



A person who hunts to fill tags legally is now an idiot?!?

Come on fellas, lets not throw rocks. Statements like above is what gives the impression of "high & mighty". It does not bother me, but for new guys or other guys that dont know you personally may not feel the the same.

Adam, I think you read that wrong. I didn't take it that way at all. I think he was talking in general. We all have a few idiots in our local swimming pool.

 

[jagermeister]

Ric, please explain if the hunters did not exceed allowable bag limits.



A person who hunts to fill tags legally is now an idiot?!?

Come on fellas, lets not throw rocks. Statements like above is what gives the impression of "high & mighty". It does not bother me, but for new guys or other guys that dont know you personally may not feel the the same.

Ding, ding...m'effin ding.

If the neighbor isn't doing anything illegal, mind your own business IMO. Just because you want to see more deer doesn't mean you need to attempt to persuade someone else to think that way. If the neighbor is happy and enjoying the outdoors with his many friends, there's no need to squelch that. If you really feel like you have to do something, focus on your own property and make it more attractive to the deer.

 

[bowhunter1023]

Well had I meant that anyone not wanting to follow along with Al or I's playground rules were idiots, then what you two are saying would be merited. However my use of "idiots" was in direct reference to a group of folks I'd like for you to meet and you can form your own opinion. I bet it'll fall closer to "idiot" than "idol"...

 

[jagermeister]

Well had I meant that anyone not wanting to follow along with Al or I's playground rules were idiots, then what you two are saying would be merited. However my use of "idiots" was in direct reference to a group of folks I'd like for you to meet and you can form your own opinion. I bet it'll fall closer to "idiot" than "idol"...

My opinion has nothing to do with anyone being called an idiot. I knew what you meant.

 

[bowhunter1023]

My opinion has nothing to do with anyone being called an idiot. I knew what you meant.

Even at that, how does this differ from you asking your neighbor not use his leaf blower at 1AM? It's legal, so mind your own business. Is it preferable behavior to your standard of living? Of course not, so therefore it's acceptable to ask him to change his behavior right? Certainly. I see that as no different than approaching your neighbor with a common sense management strategy. If they are open to discussion, great. That's a win-win. If they tell you to pound salt, now you know and you can adjust your management plan accordingly. And it never hurts to follow up. Don't annoy them, but a "no" the first time doesn't mean they won't come around. Maybe next year they have a terrible season and they start to think maybe Al was on to something. Having this conversation with your neighbors is an action I deem perfectly reasonable. How you approach them, handle defeat and move forward is where I think you can get out of line. But simply broaching this subject with your neighbors shouldn't be cause for ridicule.

Why does this feel like liberalism? We can't hurt people's feelings but we can make fun of those who don't fit our mold...... We talk about hunters needing to be united, then criticize other hunters for wanting to work with their neighbors to improve the hunting. :smiley_chinrub:

 

[Big_Holla]

Ric, please explain if the hunters did not exceed allowable bag limits.

A person who hunts to fill tags legally is now an idiot?!?

Come on fellas, lets not throw rocks. Statements like above is what gives the impression of "high & mighty". It does not bother me, but for new guys or other guys that dont know you personally may not feel the the same.

Just because something is legal doesn't mean it's right. We legally could shoot quite a few does on our place over the years, however by us observing our deer numbers we realized it would be catastrophic to our deer hunting if we did. Would the ODNR know that is going on in our area? I doubt it. That is why people need to look at their circumstances and understand that even though it is legal, it may not be ethically sound to go and fill every tag you can buy. Sometimes people need to look in the mirror as to the cause of their own circumstances, sometimes it's the neighbor who hasn't seen what they are doing. Legally they can fill the tags. The only thing that can be done is to talk and see what they have to say.