Ohio sucks

[5Cent]

Lol Rick, JB and I are used to low numbers given the counties we live in. I have seen little to no change in erie/huron county but its evident in athens, hocking and vinton where i used to hunt during college. I will continue to fill tags as allowed by law as it stops me from having to pay for 3/4-full cows. A 1/4 now supplements 1-3 deer perfectly for a family of 5. I disagree its up to us in the field to "manage" the herd. In our areas, tracts of land are not big enough to make a difference. You would need 20-30 farmers to even make a dent for the better and that is just not gonna happen.

I hate the fact that most of know what prime was for Ohio and it is clear its not going back anytime soon. I like the discussions about deer seen prior to vs. during gun season. I support they have a calendar and know when the booming starts to stay hunkered down. I hate what it does for introducing new hunters to the sport though. I have no problem sitting all day to only see a few deer and maybe get one shot opportunity but that will kill a new hunters drive in no time. Thats why I refuse to take my boys with me at such a young age. There are plenty of other positive opportunites to be involved without killing their drive. Just like anything in life, most things dont come easy. I have no problem seeing those looking for easy hunting stay on the couch. Its hunting, not killing.

 

[jagermeister]

At one time I felt just like you Jim. When Joe first brought up this topic I thought he was just squalling like a mashed cat. I was still seeing several groups of 3-7 while hunting (12-30 sightings per hunt). Certain fields were showing 20-40 every evening. One evening in late season I counted 73 come out of our thicket. Now, those observation fields rarely produce 1-3 deer in an evening. Just 3 years ago, Braydon used to see 3-8 per sit. He has only seen 8 this year in about 12 sits. I honestly thought mass reduction of deer herd only happened somewhere else. And you will too until it hits home and you honestly see and feel the impact. It may not suck, but sure headed in that direction in a hurry. No reason one should be able to take 6 deer anymore. 1-2 deer is plenty IMO. In our family, that is still up to 6 deer for the year, but far cry from 18.

But see that's the thing Rick, nobody is shooting 6 deer. It doesn't matter what the bag limit is... It could be 50. The average for successful hunters last year was 1.3 deer per hunter.

 

[MoonLab]

We had fun and I tried to relay that through the thread. Dad took home two cooler full of meat! Scale put one cooler @100 lbs and the other @47!!! That's a damn good haul. And the people involved...couldn't of been any better. Good times...

Sounds like a great time

 

[bowhunter1023]

My issue has went from not seeing deer when I hunt to the issue of food real quick. Having venison in my freezer is VERY important to me and it's becoming very clear that should I wish to continue feeding my family one of the best food on the planet without impacting my hunting, I need more places to hunt. When we move, I no longer have access to a herd that is in no danger of being wiped out. Here at the house, there are plenty of deer because no one hunts and it's essentially a "urban" area in relation to the more rural areas I usually hunt. The more I think about lower numbers and the struggle to put up food for my family, the more pissed I get. It's one thing to rob hunters of seeing 10 deer a hunt, it's another to make it next to impossible to fill your freezer with a clear conscious...

 

[xbowguy]

But see that's the thing Rick, nobody is shooting 6 deer. It doesn't matter what the bag limit is... It could be 50. The average for successful hunters last year was 1.3 deer per hunter.

Remember this conversation in the future Jim. I honestly did not believe any of it until it hit home.

The 1.3 deer per hunter looks real good on paper.

 

[jagermeister]

Remember this conversation in the future Jim. I honestly did not believe any of it until it hit home.

The 1.3 deer per hunter looks real good on paper.

No offense man, but it's the same conversation I've been hearing for the last 7 or 8 years. And over that time I've seen A LOT of successful, happy hunters on this website and other forms of social media. The same ones that complain about deer numbers are the same smiling big with a nanny doe laying in front of them. And I've seen countless bucks, some real monsters, getting put down as well. It seems like more and more every year. Just look back at our TOO harvest videos over the years.... Look how many successful hunters we have here! I'm sorry... I just don't agree with the sob story. I've hunted all over the state, years during the "hay day" and now in the "thin" years, both public and private land but mostly public. If you want to put deer in the freezer, they're out there.

 

[giles]

My issue has went from not seeing deer when I hunt to the issue of food real quick. Having venison in my freezer is VERY important to me and it's becoming very clear that should I wish to continue feeding my family one of the best food on the planet without impacting my hunting, I need more places to hunt. When we move, I no longer have access to a herd that is in no danger of being wiped out. Here at the house, there are plenty of deer because no one hunts and it's essentially a "urban" area in relation to the more rural areas I usually hunt. The more I think about lower numbers and the struggle to put up food for my family, the more pissed I get. It's one thing to rob hunters of seeing 10 deer a hunt, it's another to make it next to impossible to fill your freezer with a clear conscious...

Why not talk to a neighbor?

 

["J"]

I'm going out on a limb here in saying this, but most deer hunters on this site aren't your average deer hunter.... I'd say the average deer hunter blows the cobwebs off of their bows/guns a few times a year and heads out the door to try and drop something..... This why you're seeing the success in our harvest videos...
I have access too a half dozen properties that I can take a deer from, most don't have that luxury.... I try to split it up when harvesting does between he properties....

 

[bowhunter1023]

Why not talk to a neighbor?

To do what? Shoot less deer I assume, which I have done. Our farm is slowly becoming part of a defacto management co-op because we're communicating with one another. I started the same at my other spot this year, but it'll take time. But regardless of my outreach efforts, not everyone is as like minded as myself and some others in the neighborhood and legally, the deer belong to ALL citizens, not just the ones who want to see/kill more. You can talk all you want, but it only takes 1-2 brown and down landowners to booger things up. And that's not accounting for fawn predation, poaching and all the other claimers of deer life besides hunters.

It's a good idea and the right thing to do to talk with your neighbors, but it's not just that easy either.

 

[Bigslam51]

I won't be taking a doe off of my favorite place to hunt this year. The gun hunters killed 5 doe, an 8 point, and wounded 2 others. The only reason that farm has decent numbers is the fact that it's bordered by one farm that doesn't allow hunting, and another that only allows limited gun hunting. I have 3 other places to hunt, one being our 6.5 acres and I'm not taking a doe there either. So that leaves 2 places, one has only produced 3 doe sightings by my buddy and I. The other spot I need to get some cameras on. But all in all it ain't looking good. I feel the same way as Jesse, anymore I don't feel like I can shoot a doe and have a clear conscience.

 

[giles]

To do what? Shoot less deer I assume, which I have done. Our farm is slowly becoming part of a defacto management co-op because we're communicating with one another. I started the same at my other spot this year, but it'll take time. But regardless of my outreach efforts, not everyone is as like minded as myself and some others in the neighborhood and legally, the deer belong to ALL citizens, not just the ones who want to see/kill more. You can talk all you want, but it only takes 1-2 brown and down landowners to booger things up. And that's not accounting for fawn predation, poaching and all the other claimers of deer life besides hunters.

It's a good idea and the right thing to do to talk with your neighbors, but it's not just that easy either.

I was referring to your current neighbors. Or whoever buys your house you could ask them for permission.

I've read you say this multiple times now about freezer meat. I'd be working with neighbors to try and rectify the situation. I'm sure they are aware that they see more deer because of what you've done. Talk to them!

 

[jagermeister]

I'm going out on a limb here in saying this, but most deer hunters on this site aren't your average deer hunter.... I'd say the average deer hunter blows the cobwebs off of their bows/guns a few times a year and heads out the door to try and drop something..... This why you're seeing the success in our harvest videos...
I have access too a half dozen properties that I can take a deer from, most don't have that luxury.... I try to split it up when harvesting does between he properties....

I know that, but I'm not just talking about this website. I feel like I know a little of different people with different levels of hunting prowess... I'm pretty confident in the "pulse" I'm reading.

 

[bowhunter1023]

I was referring to your current neighbors. Or whoever buys your house you could ask them for permission.

I've read you say this multiple times now about freezer meat. I'd be working with neighbors to try and rectify the situation. I'm sure they are aware that they see more deer because of what you've done. Talk to them!

I will most likely retain permission on the 21 acres adjacent to me as our house only has 2.5 and they walk through the 21 to get to mine. I should probably have a stand over there this season. There's a good buck around, which is a rarity here. Been fun to have seen him with a bow in hand!

 

[5Cent]

My issue has went from not seeing deer when I hunt to the issue of food real quick. Having venison in my freezer is VERY important to me and it's becoming very clear that should I wish to continue feeding my family one of the best food on the planet without impacting my hunting, I need more places to hunt. When we move, I no longer have access to a herd that is in no danger of being wiped out. Here at the house, there are plenty of deer because no one hunts and it's essentially a "urban" area in relation to the more rural areas I usually hunt. The more I think about lower numbers and the struggle to put up food for my family, the more pissed I get. It's one thing to rob hunters of seeing 10 deer a hunt, it's another to make it next to impossible to fill your freezer with a clear conscious...

Are you managing the farm for food or for a shot a trophy buck? I have a hard time believing that you taking 1 doe for the sole purpose of meat will decimate the local herd each year at the farm. Not talking about when you opened it up to buddies to shoot does like prior years. Not talking about keeping a streak going for your wife or getting K her first deer. If 1 fits the bill, then why does it matter what it is or who harvests it? Your neighbors down the road are doing far worse. Together, I understand between all of it, its damaging and is why I say it's up to the ODNR to manage the larger scope because it is darn near impossible for us to do in the field. It feels like you are trying to have your cake and eat it too. The question is, why do you hunt and when did hunting mean being able to get food real quick? This is a renewable resource that was hunted to darn near extinction. If my grandfather was still alive, he would talk of years when there was not a season. You did try other areas to hunt (Missouri trip) and found that Ohio may actually be a better option based on the comments to stay put during the rut. What is stopping you from harvesting animals on public land?

Same question goes for Rick. Rick, why do you hunt? If trying to kill a trophy buck, then I understand your frustration but it may not fit the overall ODNR goal. If it's for meat, I think you will agree you have ample opportunities to capitalize (could be getting my notes on the Ric(k)s crossed).

I think we can all agree the herd has been reduced and numbers support that. We all have varying opinions and levels of impact based on the reasons why you hunt.

What I really scratch my on is for the guys who hunt for trophy bucks only. How can you not be happy to at least have a season to be able to hunt? How can you not be happy with the quality of bucks harvested in this state. How can you complain that all of the blood, sweat and (unfortunately) tears means you "deserve" a buck. It's hunting guys, and just like anything else in life, there are no guarantees. Figure out what makes you happy and do it. If not killing does makes you happy, then why are you complaining? Feel good about the change you are having in your little world. The world is a lot bigger outside of yours and that is where I feel the ODNR comes in and is responsible to manage. If they are meeting their goals, then good for them. The question is, how do we change their goals because it is apparent the little world approach IS NOT working.

 

[5Cent]

I won't be taking a doe off of my favorite place to hunt this year. The gun hunters killed 5 doe, an 8 point, and wounded 2 others. The only reason that farm has decent numbers is the fact that it's bordered by one farm that doesn't allow hunting, and another that only allows limited gun hunting. I have 3 other places to hunt, one being our 6.5 acres and I'm not taking a doe there either. So that leaves 2 places, one has only produced 3 doe sightings by my buddy and I. The other spot I need to get some cameras on. But all in all it ain't looking good. I feel the same way as Jesse, anymore I don't feel like I can shoot a doe and have a clear conscience.

Same question for you squatch, why do you hunt?

 

[bowhunter1023]

I'm managing the farm for quality hunting experiences for the next generation. Taking one doe won't hurt, but it will if my neighbors kill 6. Managing 80 acres is as much about what happens outside out 80, than what happens on it.

 

[Boarhead]

Adam, i hunt because i really enjoy being out there as much as i am able.
I guess i am at a point i dont have to kill anything to have had a great season.
I have had oportunites this year just chose not to shoot,does that make me greedy cause i chose not to shoot a buck that walks by? I dont think so,i may eat my tag this yr, that's my choice and i am fine with that,dont have to prove anything to anyone.
Also i get guys wanting to fill their freezer with venison,but then again by the time ya add up what that steak cost to harvest i think i can get it cheaper at the store.
Equiptment ,tags,bait if you use it,gas,time spent of course thats the fun part time spent out there,it all adds up to a pricey steak.
Their is no right or wrong reason to the way we each choose to hunt, just as long as we each are still enjoying it, thats what really matters.
Once you lose the enjoyment and get all stressed out over killing a deer whats the point in even going. Phil?lol

 

[bowhunter1023]

The reason I love venison has nothing to do with cost per pound and everything to do with knowing where my food comes from. It's worth whatever "premium" I may pay towards until price...

 

[5Cent]

Adam i hunt because i really enjoy being out there as much as i am able.
I guess i am at a point i dont have to kill anything to have had a great season.
I have had oportunites this year just chose not to shoot,does that make me greedy cause i chose not to shoot a buck that walks by? I dont think so,i may eat my tag this yr but that's my choice and i am fine with that,dont have to prove anything to anyone.
Also i get guys wanting to fill their freezer with venison,but then again by the time ya add up what that steak cost to harvest i think a can get it cheaper at the store.
Equiptment ,tags,bait if you use it,gas,time spent of course thats the fun part time spent out there,it all adds up to a pricey steak.
Their is no right or wrong reason to the way we each choose to hunt, just as long as we each are still enjoying it thats what really matters.
Once you lose the enjoyment and get all stressed out over killing a deer whats the point in even going. Phil?lol

Spot on Brian and I dont recall ever seeing you complain. Not saying we as sportsman shouldnt discuss things like this but the fence riding/gray zone is comical to me so i ask the queations when i dont understand the logic. Im just a simple flatlander thats not too bright.

 

[5Cent]

The reason I love venison has nothing to do with cost per pound and everything to do with knowing where my food comes from. It's worth whatever "premium" I may pay towards until price...

Exactly and you will never hear/see me complain about the cost. The cost of grass fed cows and grass fed butter from grass fed cows is insane!