New Zone 3 proposed rules

[96trigger]

Quote:

I've shot 8 mature bucks in my life and I've never been able to tell how many points were on each side ever...it just happens too quickly.

But, you KNEW they were mature. You new that they weren't baskets or forks. Thats all this law is trying to do is protect the deer you are already passing on. Where do you hunt in zone 3? I have a heck of a time making a shot greater than 50 yards in the bluffs that I hunt. If its low light, and you aren't sure, don't shoot. For the most part, every mature buck that I have seen, I have known immediately upon looking at it that it was a good deer. I also look for height and that the tines come ot the tip of the nose. It will be hard to find a deer that won't meet APR if that criteria isn't met.

[hockeybc69]

sure would be a bummer if a world class 6 pt(3x3) walked by. DOH!

[InTheNorthwoods]

I would have a very hard time with the APR's. I've shot 8 mature bucks in my life and I've never been able to tell how many points were on each side ever...it just happens too quickly. I've passed on countless baskets, spikes etc...and I mainly look for height/width and mass before I pull the trigger but never once have I been able to tell EXACTLY what just dropped 50-100yds out through the cover of woods/brush etc....Add low-light conditions and it just makes matters all the more confusing.

But on how many of those 8 deer did you take the time to try and ascertain the number of points before you shot? I am guessing that when you evaluated that they were mature deer, that you just shot. At the same time, I would think that in at least a few of those instances, you'd have been able to determine that the deer you were looking at had 4 points on at least one side. It doesn't take more than a few seconds with a scope or binoculars. Especially at ranges under 100 yards. I passed in excess of 10 different bucks this year (and even missed 1 ), and I can tell you whether or not every one of those bucks had at least 4 points on one side.

It isn't that difficult to do when your mentality is set on knowing what you are looking at before shooting, rather than just shooting when you see something you want to shoot at (this applies to meat hunters and mature/trophy deer hunters).

[96trigger]

Quote:

sure would be a bummer if a world class 6 pt(3x3) walked by. DOH!

Down here, if they get old enough to be world class, they usually have other junk on their head to no longer classify them as a 3x3. but I do know what you are saying. I have been a pretty big advocate of making sure a penalty for shooting a buck by mistake is not punitive, a fine would be OK, but it should in no way hinder the future of hunting. If a world class 3x3 walked by and I had to pay a 50 to 100 dollar fine, so be it. That is one thing I haven't heard much of is how they are going to regulate it.

[hockeybc69]

Yeah it is unlikely for a "Big" 6 pt. But I know I would be steaming if I had the bow and this horse 6 pt walked by me.

I like APR, but leave archery out of it at a minimum. Even ML I wouldnt mind left alone.

[picksbigwagon]

That is a big deer but I don't agree with the leave archery and ML's out of the restriction. If you are going to implement it, it goes for everyone. Otherwise it comes off as the bowhunters want to see bigger deer and the firearm hunters have to be restricted but we don't because we hunt with a bow

[InTheNorthwoods]

That is a big deer but I don't agree with the leave archery and ML's out of the restriction. If you are going to implement it, it goes for everyone. Otherwise it comes off as the bowhunters want to see bigger deer and the firearm hunters have to be restricted but we don't because we hunt with a bow

I agree with the notion that if you implement a rule, you implement it for everyone or else it shows lack of commitment to the end result. But at the same time it needs to be remembered that there is nothing stopping a person from being able to hunt both seasons. Being either a "bow" hunter or a "firearm" hunter is a personal choice and its really not a "us" vs. "them" situation.

[hockeybc69]

The purpose of APR is to get an older buck herd. Archery would not put much of a dent in that effort.

I say start with firearms, and if that doesnt meet the goal, then add to it.

Archery limits itself due to the nature of it. Dont impose more limits on it.

If hunters start pointing the finger about fairness, well, then take up archery hunting if you dont do it.

[picksbigwagon]

I don't agree Hockeybc69, that reasoning comes off as self serving and that is why there will be great resistance about this I feel.

Zone 3 is already a slug zone, and not many people can shoot a slug out to 100 yards and most deer shot with a shotgun are shot at 50 yards or less, so basically we are shooting the same ranges as the bowhunters already.

[hockeybc69]

We agree to disagree. Thats OK too.

Guns vs archery. Apples and oranges. Not even close to the same thing.

I see the ones you say would think of it as self serving, I look at it as they are whiners to be honest.

All part of a good debate.

[Jameson]

Heck of 6 point there!!!! Thanks for sharing!

[picksbigwagon]

and I look at the ones wanting the changes but not for their style of hunting (whatever it may be) to be whiners as well. So we agree on that then.......

Lordy that is a big buck............what part of the state is that from?

[hockeybc69]

Ottertail County

He lived another 2 seasons after that too, if you can believe that. I need to find the pics. He ended up adding a 4th pt on one antler the year after this I think. It could have been 2 years. We never saw him with our eyes, and he was there for 3 years for sure. Sneaky bugger.

PS - I hunt bow, gun and ML

If I were an archery only guy, then i could be accused of self serving.

[zepman]

Quote:

I've shot 8 mature bucks in my life and I've never been able to tell how many points were on each side ever...it just happens too quickly.

But, you KNEW they were mature. You new that they weren't baskets or forks. Thats all this law is trying to do is protect the deer you are already passing on. Where do you hunt in zone 3? I have a heck of a time making a shot greater than 50 yards in the bluffs that I hunt. If its low light, and you aren't sure, don't shoot. For the most part, every mature buck that I have seen, I have known immediately upon looking at it that it was a good deer. I also look for height and that the tines come ot the tip of the nose. It will be hard to find a deer that won't meet APR if that criteria isn't met.

I agree 100% with this. I am for the APR's I just thought I'd voice my opinion on what I feel would be troublesome for me. I hunt near Peterson and I also never shoot anymore than say 60yds out...that's all the topography will allow me. That's why, too, using binoculars to identify points is a pipedream. This is slug season we're talking about here...these deer aren't usually out for a Sunday stroll once the bangin begins.

[96trigger]

I haven't ever carried a a pair of binoculars. In bluff country, if you are in the woods, when you see the deer, they are usually close enough to identify if it would meet APR. I know that there will be instances when a hunter may need to pause and look, but in many cases, the deer I have shot, have not been full sprint through the woods, but passing through. When I have seen deer at full sprint, its usually after the fist shot or over open fields. If they are running full tilt in the open field, I can still usually identify basket racks and forks pretty easily, especially the ones within shotgun range. We will have to becme more aware of our targets in general.

[96trigger]

How did the meeting go Monday night?