Management question

[FishingWebGuy]

Ok, I'm assuming that the DNR goal across the state is to have all or most permit areas designated as "managed". I have no source for that beyond what the name implies.

Since so many areas are going from Intensive and managed to lottery in only a year or two, does that why are we allowed to shoot 2 does/antlerless in a "managed" area?

Would managed areas work out better if you could only shoot antlerless with your bonus tag instead of allowing antlerless with your season license?

It just seems strange that we allow harvesting of 2 does per hunter in "managed" areas. I would think a managed harvest would be 1 of each sex.

I believe more hunters harvest does than bucks. Would "earn a doe" make sense in managed areas? It just seems like the current "managed" areas are not remaining managed and that points to a problem.

*Disclaimer: I know absolutely nothing about managing deer herds but would like to understand some of the general idea.

[Bear55]

I think most hunters in Managed area like to shoot a doe with their bonus tag and save their either sex tag for a buck. I am sure there are a few people who are happy to shoot a couple of does but that number is probably small so it does not have a huge impact on the area but who knows I could be wrong. I guess having that many doe and either sex tags available over a longer period of time could take a toll on the population. I too hope the DNR goal is to get each area as close to managed as possible.

[Jameson]

Not sure where I read it, but it is not the goal of the DNR to have all areas as managed. Some areas the goals are for lottery. I don't believe I have read where intensive is the goal for any area.

I too wish the goal was managed in all areas.

Maybe it is time to rework some of our limits for different areas? I have thought for a while we need areas that have a one deer either sex limit without a lottery. Maybe an area with one doe and one buck limits is something else that needs to be looked into?

More hunters harvest a doe or a buck? In lottery areas, likely more hunters harvesting a buck than hunters harvesting a doe. Other areas, not so sure. I think the DNR site has this info posted ...

[FishingWebGuy]

Since so many areas are going from Intensive and managed to lottery in only a year or two, does that why are we allowed to shoot 2 does/antlerless in a "managed" area?

Should read:

Since so many areas are going from Intensive and managed to lottery in only a year or two, why are we allowed to shoot 2 does/antlerless in a "managed" area?

[Jameson]

Just a guess, but I bet very few hunters tag two does in managed areas.

Many folks are happy with one deer. Many folks are buck only hunters. Many hunters will have another party member tag their first/second doe shot so that their valuable buck tag isn't used up. Many folks will put a doe in the freezer, than hold out for a buck.

So limiting it to one doe and one buck may not have much of an effect.

[BobT]

To me the word "managed" implies that there are no set specifics and that the rules can and probably could change from year to year depending on a number of factors.

[96trigger]

Quote:

Not sure where I read it, but it is not the goal of the DNR to have all areas as managed. Some areas the goals are for lottery. I don't believe I have read where intensive is the goal for any area.

I too wish the goal was managed in all areas.

I think managed is the DNR goal in all areas that can sustain a deer population that high. Unfortunately, there are probably some areas in Minnesota that can't support that high of a deer density, so the target population would be in the lottery range to keep a healthy herd.

Many hunters I know, myself included, like to shoot a doe for the freezer and wait for a nice buck. There are some that will shoot two does right away if their time is limited and they just want venison. I Know plenty of those people also.

With management tags, its also much easier to party hunt and cross tag does. In our party, we try and keep as many either sex tags around as long as possible, that way each person has their own opportunity to shoot a nice buck. It will be more important this year as we can't party hunt/cross tag bucks anymore, but our area went back to intensive harvest so there will really be no need to share management tags this year.