It would be entirely possible to get a far better population estimate than they have ever had before. However, the Dow is dug in deep to the belief they can form accurate models based off of harvest trends. They see no need to make changes or improvements in modeling. Per Tonkovich @ Strouds with at least 25 witnesses; “If we kill too many, people will quit hunting and the herd will rebound.” And in that he is correct. Prior to him saying that, I was completely wrong in my thinking that the DoW were managing to insure a balance between happy stakeholders. His statement proved to me that we sportsmen are not the stakeholders he was concerned with.
That is frustrating. I have been suggesting (loosely) that we utilize these drones to manage township-level areas for DPSM. It seems that it would be affordable, and also allow for areas that need herd reduction to be accurately reduced and those that need herd increase, by biological standards, to be increased.
My good buddy lives in PA, and they have zones around some suburban areas. They will say zone A needs 30 does shot. So they sell those tags, and once they are gone, they are gone. You can't bring in 40 more hunters 40 to shoot more. Likewise, for the individual who only bucks hunt, this allows others who feel they need to manage the population to do so.
I also think this would give the ODNR strong backing as they are then able to have statistical data to show "township X needs a 30% reduction based on hunter harvest data, thermal drone survey, state forester feedback, etc." - we could legit map out the entire state by township.
Ok - I know, I know my enthusiasm about this is likely unrealistic and I need to stop rambling,but a guy can dream!!
Ps - I have been lucky to kill a few decent bucks, I never put a tape to one. Just not my thing. I'm happy with the animal on the wall, I dont need a "score" to increase or dilute my happiness. That is my personal take, but I am sure others feel the same and dont "score" many bucks.