2009 Deer Harvest Information.

[candiru]

From the DNR HSOforum here is the link to the 2009 Deer harvest report:

http://files.dnr.state.mn.us/outdoor_activities/hunting/deer/2009_harvest.pdf

[picksbigwagon]

thanks for posting that Candiru, I will have more time tonight to look at that

[fr0sty]

Thanks for posting this. This info is very interesting in light of the debate we see on this forum about deer management policy and potential regulation changes (scopes on muzzy, crossbows, youth hunts during MEA).

I took the DNR survey that was posted last week. I noticed in the presentation before the survey that the #1 management goal is deer numbers. Any other changes are secondary and their implementation dependent cultural factors. With that in mind, those proposed changes I mentioned above are not in conflict with the DNR's stated goal of deer numbers management. There is a side benefit to raising more revenue for both the DNR (via additional permits) and local retailers through increased sales of scopes, crossbows, muzzle loaders etc.

A little google searing I did stated that hunting (not just deer hunting) in Minnesota brought in about $637 million dollars in sales. That economic activity is an important part of our local economies. Retailers and vacation destinations need those dollars. The dnr needs our dollars as well.

From my perspective, most of the comments of those resistant to the above changes are due to wanting to protect their own hunting experience. If bow hunting or muzzy hunting is more "primitive" then there will be less hunting afield, competing for the same deer. Wanting to protect their own hunting is understandable, but where do we draw the line? Too many unpopular regs and hunters may quit hunting, though I am sure most of us love hunting so much, it would take quite a lot to cause us to quit.

Even though some say those seasons should be more primitive, or for the "true hunter", nothing would stop a hunter from hunting as old school as they like during any of those hunting seasons. Use a recurve bow or a hawkin style muzzy, don't let liberal seasons deter you from hunting in the most challenging way you want.

In the end, the dnr manages the herd for numbers. To them, it matters not how those deer are taken.

[Bear55]

Yikes the 2009 numbers in the section I hunt were even scarier that I thought. Almost a 50% drop in total harvest from 2008, and that is after a 19% drop from 07 to 08. No doubting now that too many doe tags have been passed out the past 5 years.

[Musky Buck]

Hear that Bear, I have seen 1 adult doe in the last 3 seasons of hunting. It's either fawns or 1.5 bucks. In the 3 years prior, with less days afield due to zone 4A and B. 19 sure some are likely repeat walk by's but on 3 different parcels.

[Musky Buck]

There's got to be some around as there are fawns, they are either with bucks, dead, or under extreme pressure going nocturnal.

[ANYFISH2]

I completely agree musky! Adult does are just as weary if not more so than adult bucks.

[rayguy]

Doe's are not inclined to prowl around like the bucks do. Even during the rut they stick to there home range mostly. Also they tend to stay in family groups so if you don't see the family it may seem like there are no does. Those of you with feeders know how many does show up. Bucks are rare in daylight but does come around at anytime.

[lakevet]

Even though some say those seasons should be more primitive, or for the "true hunter", nothing would stop a hunter from hunting as old school as they like during any of those hunting seasons. Use a recurve bow or a hawkin style muzzy, don't let liberal seasons deter you from hunting in the most challenging way you want.

With all due respect, we can't hunt old school except for part of muzzy season (bad weather thins the hunters, or good first ice fishing), not because of weapon choice, but because of the number of hunters afield. Try tracking a deer during rifle and now parts of muzzy, or making a drive. In our area you are going to hear guns going off all around you from all the guys in heated stands waiting for someone to move the deer. If you try to track down a deer, you most likely will either find a gut pile, or a hunter who doesn't say thanks but is prepared to defend his deer because he automatically assumes you are a jerk who will try to take it. When we switched to muzzy to continue our old school ways, we heard from neighbors who complained that "everyone just sits, and since you guys, who were the last drivers/trackers, stopped hunting rifle, we don't see as many deer." Muzzy gave us a few more years to hunt the old ways, and we very gladly gave up rifle season rut hunt to muzzy hunt. Now we are seeing a repeat of the changes that made rifle season a stand sitting only proposition. It is not just the weapon, some methods of hunting, like drives and tracking, are becoming lost arts as fewer people hunt that way, partly due to loss of land available but mostly due to increased hunter density. The famous Benoit family of deer trackers no longer hunt in the US but go to Canada to practice the art of tracking a deer down. Too many hunters in the woods in the US that interfere with their tracking. After hunting the same area in Minnesota over 100 yrs, we would like to see a primitive season so we can continue our tradition in a low hunter density situation. Just another perspective.

Look forward to digesting the harvest stats.

lakevet