Zone 3 APR

[Rippinlip]

Let us know how it has or hasn't affected your harvest or style.

[tracker x-2]

Has not affected us. just the neihbors

[TruthWalleyes]

I'm down in lanesboro, I've seen 3 bucks that had less than 4 points on 1 antler, and i would not have shot them anyway. Big bodies, but small horns...and they're chasing does like crazy right now!

Beyond that, I'm doe hunting, and big buck hunting...I don't mind having an empty buck tag at the end of the season if i never saw a big one.

[FrontenacPike]

I weighed deer in for Bwells bar in Frontenac Mn over the weekend. Alot of hunters complained that it is extremely hard counting points prior to shooting. Sometimes you only have seconds in a shooting lane and couldn't get a shot off after trying to determine if it had 4points. Everyone that I spoke to said when in doubt you can't afford to chance it.

A co-worker of mine spoke with CO Tyler Quant on Thursday prior to gun season and he said that he has already found 4 wanton waste bucks from archery.

[Mr_Lunker]

That was NP just need a little luck on ur side sometimes boyz.

[Jameson]

The last two years on the last day of the season I have gotten together with a small group to do a drive for someone who has never shot a buck. Ya, he's only hunted three years. We won't be doing the drive this year. It is the only zone 3 deer hunting I have ever done.

Sad to hear about the wanton waste, it's not like it could be predicted by what has happened in the past in other states. (sorry, couldn't resist)

[TruthWalleyes]

I guess the only complaint i have is i am looking REALLY hard at does to be sure they don't have a spike that could get me into trouble...It was never a big deal before if i accidently shot a spike (more than 3" long) and used my buck tag, but you sure do have to make sure you know what your shooting....I can't believe that archery hunters would wanton waste...Don't ya gotta be withing like 40 yds to kill a deer with an arrow!?!?

[zepman]

My bet is that there are a ton of dead little bucks laying all over Zone 3 right now...wasted.

I LOVE the APR's but I've always let the little guys go....I'd rather shoot a doe instead. Unfortunately, the same can't be said for the people I hunt with and around.

[MNpurple]

It hasn't affected my approach to hunting except for using binos a little bit more to make sure a "doe" isnt carrying 5 inch spikes.

On the other hand, it is frustrating to me that my 80 year old grandfather who is in good health and enjoys deer hunting and has owned his farm for over 40 years now has to count points before he shoots a deer. He probably doesnt have that many seasons left in him, so I feel he should be able to shoot what he wants. I like the APR, but I wish they had an upper age limit on the rule.

[FrontenacPike]

Or going straight to the butcher table without registering. My opinion is if it saves (lets say 60%) of the basket racks we are going to see a very nice improvement in just a couple years. At first I was opposed to it, but after thinking about Buffalo county WI, Goodhue and Wabasha counties have the exact same geological make up and there is no reason we can't be pumping out monsters just like our neighbors across the stream.

[MNpurple]

Or going straight to the butcher table without registering. My opinion is if it saves (lets say 60%) of the basket racks we are going to see a very nice improvement in just a couple years. At first I was opposed to it, but after thinking about Buffalo county WI, Goodhue and Wabasha counties have the exact same geological make up and there is no reason we can't be pumping out monsters just like our neighbors across the stream.

I agree with you, BUT I sure hope an increase in rack size doesnt mean we see an increase in leases and high dollar hunts like Buffalo County and the regular joe cant afford to hunt here anymore. Worst case scenario I know, but sure would hate to see it.

[FrontenacPike]

I agree with you, BUT I sure hope an increase in rack size doesnt mean we see an increase in leases and high dollar hunts like Buffalo County and the regular joe cant afford to hunt here anymore. Worst case scenario I know, but sure would hate to see it.

Yeah never thought about it that way, very great point.

[TruthWalleyes]

That was NP just need a little luck on ur side sometimes boyz.

Very nice!

[zepman]

I strongly agree....and hope we start seeing the benefits in years to come!!!

[Stratosman]

It changed our hunt somewhat, MY dad passed up a six pointer, I had to pass a 130" 8 pointer Saturday morning at 25 yards broadside because I tagged a nice 8 with my bow on halloween. I wasn't mad or dissapointed, I like the no cross tagging rule and last year that deer was dead. But now hopefully it will live to see 4-1/2 and we have a re-union next season!

[Jim916]

Look what happened in Buffalo county, it costs money to hunt there. Same thing will happen here in a few years.

[nonteepical]

i'm hunting buffalo county this year, my brother who lives in menomonie, works with a guy who gave us permission to hunt his parents 200 acre farm that hasn't been hunted the past 6-7 years, he dosen't want a dime.

[HooknHorns]

Sounds like a gold mine waiting for you, make sure you post some pics. Sure you dont need help.

[BLACKJACK]

A co-worker of mine spoke with CO Tyler Quant on Thursday prior to gun season and he said that he has already found 4 wanton waste bucks from archery.

If he's found 4, just think how many there are that haven't been found!!! Its one of the downsides of APR's as other states have already found out. How many dead spike bucks do you need to see to justify APR, jut so you can shoot a big buck???!

[MinnesotaMike]

I had an eight point that I would have shot any other year ( brow tines were too short, IMO) but I was counting points and the road hunter spooked it away.

Mike

[HooknHorns]

I hunt in area 347 which has apr but it is also only a single deer area. All the meat hunters have to have been drawn lotto to shoot a doe. If they were'nt drawn the apr limits them to shoot a 7pt or better buck for meat. If a basket 8 comes by with a doe on the last day the young 8 that should be passed is going to get shot for meat. This is my understanding and does not make any sense. If dnr did this for trophy deer they should allowed for bow hunters a bonus so atleast some wont have to worry about meat in the freezer at the end of the season but, can still trophy hunt the whole season. In my opinion the small 8s and tens should be left for next year if they want wallhangers. I think they goofed!

[Jameson]

CO Dan McBroom (Rochester) reports hunters in Zone 3 are finding it more difficult than they may have thought to follow the new antler point restrictions....

[Steve Foss]

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