Would you like to see the DNR impose a 4 point one side minimum rule for next year?

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  Cliff Both - 2 years ago

  The restrictions are not enough right now! They've definitely helped, but we can have better for all walks of hunters (meateaters, trophy, sport, local economy). Before a 1 1/2 yr old buck was a spike or maybe a small forkhorn. Now with the 3 pts to a side in Leelanau County(where I live), I've seen SEVERAL 6,7, and even 8 points running around as 1 1/2 yr olds. A hunter see's a 4 pt and an 8 pt running together, whether they're 1 1/2 or 2 1/2 and they'll shoot the 8 pt every time. Those are the genetics that we need to let breed. Now I'm not saying shoot the spike's or forks, heck no, you really can't tell what a deers gonna do until he's about 3 1/2 yrs old anyway (many 1 1/2 yr old spike's have turned out to be monster's) data proven! The main point I'm getting at here is we need to let the majority of the 2 1/2 yr olds go if they're only basket racks. By only restricting points you can't do this. Maybe set a minimum spread or better yet a minimum score like 100 inches. Most of the GREAT hunting states have a 125" or 130" minimum. We don't have to go there yet, let's just start at a reasonable number. People say "well I wouldn't know how to judge" and I say "then learn". It's not really that hard to learn how and there's plenty of material on it. The first 2 years goes towards the main body structure anyways. Once they've obtained that with the proper nutrition, can put on 20 or 30 inches of antlers given that 1 extra year from 2 1/2 to 3 1/2. If you keep all other factors the same and just change ONE thing (AGE) you would not believe the difference it makes.
  I think we need to get the herd down to a ratio of 2 or 3 does per every 1 buck (we are WAY off in most areas) so we need to harvest more does. It would increase the carrying capacity of the land for sure and the herd would be healthier. I think the rifle season is way too long, the deer get WAY to pressured, maybe even have 2 shorter seasons. I would like to see it delayed one more week that way the dominant bucks in the areas are at least getting to pass on their dominant genetics before they are shot. I think it is a good thing that we did away with baiting, if we get CWD or TB in our area, things could be ruined FOREVER! Besides hunting over bait is just killing, and it forces the big bucks nocturnal. Deer need a year round food supply like food plots. A doe is 50% of the fawns genetic contribution anyways, and I think the DNR should provide incentive programs for planting food plots and mast trees like apples, oaks, pears.
  If you don't agree with any of these ideas just do the research or better yet, look at the states that us Michigander's go to to kill a big buck...Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Wisconsin, etc. Why support their economy, why not help ourselves out and have more fun hunting. A better, healthier herd, bigger bucks, and more buck sightings leads to better success in the field. Who doesn't want that. A better buck to doe ratio has SEVERAL benefits: 1) less deer/car accidents (smaller herd) 2) healthier herd 3) greater success in the field. Bucks are more aggressive because they have more competition so hunting tactics are A LOT more effective. You can rattle or grunt them in more. You'll see more sign such as rubs and scrapes. In 8 days hunting in Illinois last year I seen 25 does and 41 bucks. Are you kidding me!!!! Talk about having fun hunting. You have to experience it to believe it. Common sense tells me do what the best states are doing, it's SIMPLE!
  In conclusion I just want to say QDMA is the future whether or not you believe it. Let's get on the bandwagon while we can, we definitely need a jump in Michigan's economy. Just try it for 2 years and see. You'll have more fun seeing deer during daylight hours, you'll see more bucks, and they'll be bigger bucks. I guarantee after seeing the results within this time, most hunter's will shoot the biggest buck of their life! Who wouldn't want that

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