Minnesota Deer Hunting...

[Vikings_59]

So I slug hunt a woods in Wright County and hunted Mcleod County before that.

Last year a bedded down fork horn got up 50 yards away from where I was set up. I let him walk by 20 yards away hoping he would live for another year. He jogged through my woods and into the neighbors woods. Not 30 seconds later I heard 1 shot. He was dead. Obviously very common with MN deer hunting.

I shot a 10 pt with my bow this year so I didnt slug hunt this season. but I also was patient and passed on a handfull of other deer. I went to work yesterday morning and saw a spike buck strapped to the back of a Ford Explorer. It litterally looked like a small German Sheppard.

I know everyone has different ideas on why/what to shoot during a deer season, but it seems like every state around Minnesota has it figured out. DONT shoot yearlings/bambi.

I am not trying to offend anyones decision on what to shoot, but when will the majority of Minnesota deer hunters understand that every 140'' deer starts out as a spike/fork horn. I know there are many factors that DNR takes into consideration; Metro area, how dense the deer population is etc... but it would be nice if they quit managing the state for quantity, and manage it for quality deer.

But it starts with hunters. Let the deer grow and pass on the babies.

[ducksnbucks]

I agree with you, I try to let the small bucks go as well in hopes of growing into larger ones. However, what you explained is common by us in Bemidji as well, if we don't shoot the deer it walks across the property and gets shot there. So its hard to try and manage for larger bucks on our propery when all the neighbors shoot anything that walks. Its especially difficult to let them walk when we aren't seeing that many deer to begin with and wanting venison its hard to let the nieghbor have it instead of us. Just my 2 cents.

[ItsaCrappieLife]

I saw one small doe the entire weekend. While I enjoy nature watching it would have been difficult to watch a small buck walk by. Plus the fact that I don't bow hunt and this may be the only weekend I can get away. Seems like we have neither quantity or quality where we hunt. I'm starting to think antler point restrictions would be good for the entire state. It would be interesting to hear some feedback from someone that hunts in SE MN where they already have antler point restrictions.

[Lip_Ripper Guy]

I was thinking about this Saturday and Sunday mornings, when the shooting started 45 minutes early. I couldn't see my hand in front of my face, so I have no idea how anyone could identify anything as a deer, much less a buck or a doe. Being in a managed area, a lot of people must be going with the "brown its down" mentality to be shooting that early. Unfortunately it wasn't a few shots here and there, we're talking 25+ on Saturday and 10+ on Sunday between 20-45 minutes early. Although it would be tough, enforcing the start time law could probably help save those baby deer become bigger deer, IMO.

[MJ1657]

Keep in mind that everyone isn't after a trophy.

[Vikings_59]

I agree that everyone isnt after a trophy.

But like what was said earlier, it isnt just smaller deer being shot, it the shooting before legal time, trespassing, and the other unethical things that happen during something that should enjoyed and not taken advantage of.

But we are lucky, we can hunt, fish, enjoy the outdoors. Other states don't have that luxury.

[MJ1657]

I didn't see lil_ripperguys post before I sent mine. I couldn't agree more. I do not understand people that cannot follow that simple rule.

[Palerider77]

Yep, the "kill all that moves" mentality has really taken the fun out of deer hunting for me. I have no problem with meat hunters(I happen to be one), but a 75lb deer, doe or buck, doesn't really make for much eating.

[mbitzegaio]

I agree with a lot of the original post, but with some caveats. We deal with the same issues where we try and practice QDM on our property. For the most part, our neighbors do not. While that would make it easy to say, "Well, if I don't shoot that spike, he will get shot going across the road," our choice is ours and we stick to it. If the spike goes across the road and gets shot, so be it. They make their decisions on what to shoot and we make ours. Ultimately, unless you control thousands of acres of continuous land, you will deal with these issues. Every hunting party has the right to make those decisions and not be second-guessed on the choices they make. As long as your party all agree and you own your decision, you will see some success from your efforts and can take pride in what you do, just as the neighbor can take pride in how they hunt and what the do.

In the end, for better or worse, we only can control our own decisions and choices.

[TruthWalleyes]

APR just makes it really hard to shoot does IMO....Got to be careful there isn't a small spike hiding behind the ears. I let several does go this weekend just because I wasn't 100% positive there wasn't a 4" spike there...So that makes it difficult, but not impossible.

Shooting before legal hours...I've hunted in several parts of the state, and think that SE MN is the worst for obeying legal shooting hours. I heard them this weekend 20minutes before shooting hours, and 20 minutes after....It's pitch black with no moon out there-How the heck to these people know if there is no antlers, or 4 points!! Thats sloppy hunting IMO.

[carpshooterdeluxe]

I'm going to probably get lit up for this, but i could really care less about antlers. Deer hunting to me has always been about going back home and hanging out with the old crew. zone 275 didn't have [PoorWordUsage] for doe permits and i was turned down for one. I shot the 1st buck that walked past my stand at my family farm saturday morning. he was maybe 2.5 years old. big body; tiny rack. sweet. $140 well spent for a non resident tag. i had him gutted and loaded into my truck and got an hour of waterfowl scouting in before the rest of our group even met up from the morning sit. I'm just as happy with that buck as my buddy who shot a very large 10 pt the same day and is getting it mounted. for the record i shot a decent 8 pt later on saturday with the crew while walking a farm grove. it was the biggest buck i've ever shot, but the first buck of the morning will always be a better story should i choose to brag about deer hunting.

Antler hunting, qdma, food plots, rifled slug barrels, scopes, scents, climber stands, TV SHOWS, magazines, etc have literally killed the desire for me to shoot a large buck. i'd rather have jerky, roasts, stir fry, etc many nights of the week than stare at a pair of antlers on the wall. with the internet age and the "gotta have it now" mentality of my generation, people will do anything an everything to stoke their own ego, and apparently antlers are directly attached to ego.

[bogwalker]

gatoreye, Why do you think every 140" class buck starts out as a spike? Areas that produce 140" class bucks have proper nutrition and genetics to do so. Many bucks start out with small racks not just spikes. Also as stated earlier not every hunter is competing for racks. Antlers are only for ornaments on hunters walls once the deer is dead. Many hunters hunt for meat.

[archerystud]

Carpshooterdeluxe,

Congratulations and I am not trying to light you up. I've been avoiding these debates lately since they tend to get so heated but I just want to give a view from the other side of the fence.

I've been passing up small bucks for over 15 years. I just got to a point where I was tired of shooting little racked 1.5 year old deer. I own some of my own land but not nearly enough to protect a buck or two. I'm not looking for huge deer, I'd just like to see a few more 3.5 year old bucks running around in the woods.

My point is it's very frustrating to pass up bucks only to have someone else shoot two of them that I may have passed up. You didn't do anything that you weren't allowed to do, just put yourself in my shoes for a minute.

Lou and the guys at the DNR have a tough job. Managing deer in MN is like trying to plan out the company X-mas party. No matter what you do someone will creek and moan and it will never be considered perfect. I'm just happy to see that they are trying to improve the age structure.

At least my property actually borders zone 3 so I may actually get some benefit from the APR's.

[flipper]

carpshooterdeluxe

I agree with your opinion. I shoot for the venison also and could care less about the antlers. I would prefer to shoot a doe but if I have to I will shoot a young buck, they taste better. I will let a stinky old buck walk, I have big kahunas already and do not need to stoke my ego. I see so many say they want the restrictions "for the health of the herd". If they truly care about that then why are they shooting the older big antlered bucks? If these are the jewels of the deer herd then let us let them live to pass on their genes.

[NELS-BELLS]

Try telling a kid who has never shot a deer, especially one that has deer hunted for a number of years and never even pulled the trigger, that they cant shoot certain deer because they aren't big enough.

Nels

[NoWiser]

Try telling a kid who has never shot a deer, especially one that has deer hunted for a number of years and never even pulled the trigger, that they cant shoot certain deer because they aren't big enough.

Nels

Thats no different then telling that same kid he can't shoot his first deer because its 5 minutes before legal shooting time. Or telling the kid who just caught a 27" walleye it has to go back into the lake because it is in the protected slot.

If the kid knows what the laws are ahead of time, I doubt it will be that devastating of an experience for them to watch a deer go by. As it is, kids don't have to follow the APRs anyways. And if they are old enough that they have to abide by the APRs, they are also old enough to legally drive a car. Mature enough to drive a car = mature enough to let a spike buck walk under their stand.

I really don't care either way. When I got sick of the typical Minnesota style of hunting, I found a place to hunt in Minnesota that the typical hunters don't go to and now I can have complete control over what gets shot in my area. In my opinion the younger generation will start promoting QDM whether or not it becomes law.

[MJ1657]

I normally let the little ones go by me. Sunday I had a friends 10 year old girl with on her first hunt. She is absolutely crazy about hunting. I took a small deer in order to keep her interest and excitement up. Probably the best time Ive ever had deer hunting and I think Ive made a deer hunter for life.

I would have to not hate that option.

[brassman]

Opening morning I shot at what I thought were two does, I scoped them out before shooting over 150 yards. Closer inspection showed that one was a button buck. I would never of harvested that deer knowing it was a buck but even at 5 yards I had difficulty knowing. Having the option to shoot 4 does and one either sex tag, I see no need to shoot small bucks. Now my father shot at he thought was a doe, which turned out to be a small spike, even at the distance he shot, the spikes were bot visible. Sometimes you have to gove the shooter the benefit of the doubt, but some people just don't have the option to pick and choose, but they like the meat so the first legal option is down. I understand your frustration. You can do your part by passing small bucks even if they might get shot, every one you don't shoot is one that gets one more opportunity to get bigger.

[wannafish2]

Here's a view from someone who's biggest buck was a 6ptr, and I don't think it was a yearling, but who knows? Anyway, I have a tendency to agree that point restrictions would be appropriate. At least two things would happen with the ethical hunters: 1. Deer would grow to a later age and hopefully antler size would grow also. and 2. Hunters would have to learn patience and the value of being sure of your target.

I agree with both.

I think sometimes the hunter will decide to take a smaller deer simply because it is the only buck or deer they expect to see. I know this has crossed my mind when hunting. I am trying very hard to hold out for a buck this year even with my doe permit because our season is longer this year and I happen to have the entire season off. Most aren't so lucky, and with the economy, maybe the license fee and last year's bullets are the hope some have for meat on the table. I don't know, and I try not to judge, but if my patience allows for someone else to harvest a buck of a lifetime, I offer my congratulations to the lucky hunter. One day hopefully the deer gods will return the favor.

This year I have heard some discerning comments from "ethical" hunters. For example - one is hunting in an area that is now lottery only and has a 1 deer per hunter limit for all seasons (archery, muzzy, rifle). This person told me that they will still hunt after they shoot a deer because they will just tell the registrar that they took it in a neighboring area that is intensive harvest. they also said they will get bonus tags in that area and harvest the deer wherever they like. REALLY? In my opinion, that is probably why we are seeing such an impact with CO's lately. I hope they catch the guy. Online registration makes what he intends to do very easy. Even local registration spots don't bother to actually view the deer like in the old days, we are all on our honor. So, if all we can do is perpetuate that and remain "honorable" in our endeavors, like letting the little ones walk, maybe eventually it will be contagious and more will do the same.

Sorry to ramble on, but feel free to add your opinions. I have been a lurker on this forum for a long time and am only now beginning to post...let me know what your thoughts are. thanks

[flipper]

When you are talking about people lying about where they shot a deer that is a totally different matter and I too would like to see anyone doing this get busted. I have known of it happening and I probably should have called the TIP line about it but something in me stopped me from busting a friend. I did let him know what I thought about it though and yes it has hurt our friendship.

[Jameson]

Quote:

...So, if all we can do is perpetuate that and remain "honorable" in our endeavors, like letting the little ones walk, maybe eventually it will be contagious and more will do the same...

I like it.

[flipper]

Honor has nothing to do with what deer you harvest as long as you are within the law.

[TNFL]

Its a tough decision, I let an average doe go by on Saturday and passed on two smaller ones tonight. I'm kind of regretting not taking the doe since I'm in an area you can harvest up to 5. I definitely think taking a smallish doe wouldn't decimate the herd. Going into it I was planning on taking a doe anyways and passing on any bucks under 6 points. But my season ends this Sunday, and my son and I have really grown to like the taste of grilled venison.

[wannafish2]

TNFL, from what I have heard from other hunters, it seems like the subject of taking smaller bucks is a way more touchy subject than taking smaller bodied does. I am a meat hunter for the most part, but it would be nice to have my dad or myself get one 8pt or larger before my dad quits hunting. But if I don't get a buck, I hope to fill my tag with a doe also. I think they are all trophys, and they sure taste good.

[walleye365]

hunting isnt that what one does for food (meat). Its been that way for how long. bow season for me is trophy time rifle is meat does that mean i shoot any deer i see no. 2007 thats the last year i shot a deer. Sunday i shot a 9 pointer i dont need some one telling me what i can&cant shoot. if my dad told his dad oh i past on a fork to small hed a picked him self off the ground now i know times have changed,but theres still alot of hunters that think that way. i see it from both sides and think the last 10 years or more the hunting shows, internet,all these new hunting products, has changed "hunting" into antler crazed nuts. would u shoot 5.5 year old if it had a small rack yes i would.