Gun season in peak of rut

[Getanet]

You're right, we should get organized. The APR supporters are much more organized and active, making it seem like their camp is larger than I believe it is.

It wasn't until the past few years that APR became an issue or topic of conversation outside of Zone 3. Most of us are/were perfectly happy being able to go hunting every year.

But please, spare me the indignation about the name calling and digs - you know APR supporters do it as well. Because I don't happen to think there should be a law preventing you from taking that "great deer" if you chose to, I've been labeled everything from lazy to uneducated to unethical by pro APR guys.

[PurpleFloyd]

Purple,

I'd be curious to know if you have hunted in an APR zone. I have seen a drastic change in how people hunt and this is due to APR. Far less driving is taking place because the drivers cant shoot at a deer in cover because they can't see if its a legal deer or not. It forces people to be sure of their target which in my opinion enhances safety. Sure everyone is supposed to clearly identify their target and what is behind it, but it doesnt always happen!

The hunt in the rut is fine with me, because it increases hunter success. But if MN continues a rut hunt, I think APR is a good countermeasure to ensure the most vulnerable deer have a little protection.

What difference does the zone make? If people are shooting into the brush at targets they have not identified they need to sell their guns and take up video games. APR is no cure for stupid decisions made by stupid hunters. More than likely with APR they will just shoot and leave the deer lay if it ends up not being legal.

One way or the other there is no room and no excuse for not knowing your target when you are hunting.

[PurpleFloyd]

I love how the anti APR guys are just ranting with each other and constantly throwing digs at those that support it, even on other threads. It's quite comical to read. Year 4 of APR where I hunt and golly, haven't seen that big buck, especially not behind every tree. I've been out quite a bit over the last two weeks and I have seen numerous small forks and spikes. One watched me as I pulled out my phone, took two pictures of it, and put the phone back on my pocket. I didn't know if he would ever leave. At least I know that he will most likely get another year to wise up, unless some kid is lucky enough to see him. He would have been a great first deer for a youngster.

Unfortunately for some of you change is coming whether you like it or not. It is what it is. I think some of your unwarranted claims and name calling just adds fuel to the fire. Better get organized.

Ok, go ahead, rant away! More importantly, be safe this deer season, legally shoot what makes you happy, and enjoy the time in the woods and with family and friends. I know I will.

OK

Here is my brief rant- The opposition is not against APR, it is against Mandated APR. If you want to practice it yourself there is no group telling you that you cannot harvest a big deer if you choose and there is no group telling you that you need to harvest a deer rather than allowing it to pass.

There is only one group who is trying to use the government to push their own personal agenda and make all hunters adopt their way of hunting or to be fined and prosecuted if they don't. That is fact.

[mntatonka]

OK

Here is my brief rant- The opposition is not against APR, it is against Mandated APR. If you want to practice it yourself there is no group telling you that you cannot harvest a big deer if you choose and there is no group telling you that you need to harvest a deer rather than allowing it to pass.

There is only one group who is trying to use the government to push their own personal agenda and make all hunters adopt their way of hunting or to be fined and prosecuted if they don't. That is fact.

+1 Great post.

[totally_addicted]

I think that people who hunt 1-9 days (and complain about APR) a year think that a deer is a mythical creature that if seen is RARE.... For anyone who spends just a few days a year ONLY hunting. Never does any scouting, does any preparation of habitat, monitoring of the herd should probably just stop whining. There are some deer everywhere (not saying we have an overabundance). If you want to see deer, put some time in. The biggest complaint I hear is: "what-if the only deer I see is a fork or a spike and I can't shoot it... That's not fair" Put some time in, put some effort into the hunt. You will then see the doe or qualifying buck that will also put that meat in your freezer. Harvesting a deer is not a rare thing in zone 3.

For those that say you don't have the time to put in. Well then obviously harvesting that deer is not that important to you. Not everything in life is fair. But APR is a great way to manage our state's herd. Harvesting a deer is not a right, it is a privilege that can be altered by the amount of effort you put in.

[mntatonka]

I think that people who hunt 1-9 days (and complain about APR) a year think that a deer is a mythical creature that if seen is RARE.... For anyone who spends just a few days a year ONLY hunting. Never does any scouting, does any preparation of habitat, monitoring of the herd should probably just stop whining. There are some deer everywhere (not saying we have an overabundance). If you want to see deer, put some time in. The biggest complaint I hear is: "what-if the only deer I see is a fork or a spike and I can't shoot it... That's not fair" Put some time in, put some effort into the hunt. You will then see the doe or qualifying buck that will also put that meat in your freezer. Harvesting a deer is not a rare thing in zone 3.

For those that say you don't have the time to put in. Well then obviously harvesting that deer is not that important to you. Not everything in life is fair. But APR is a great way to manage our state's herd. Harvesting a deer is not a right, it is a privilege that can be altered by the amount of effort you put in.

then you can take APR up there and leave us alone! We have a hard enough time keeping the population in check in the southern half of Zone 3, APR does nothing to help that.

[BigTen]

I hunt in far western MN in farm country, and from a strictly entertainment viewpoint I think it would be fun if APR was in place. Yet at the same time I totally hear the argument about forcing a set of values on those who don't share those values, and don't really think that just because someone is a stand hunter or a bowhunter (or whatever) makes you a better hunter than anyone else.

Like I said, I hunt in corn country, and we shoot a few 1.5 yr olds every year, mixed in with some 2.5 yo and sometimes a 3.5 yo or two, and the majority of the 1.5's have at least 7 points. If 4 pts is required on one side, they are all legal to shoot with APR anyway.

The other thing is to establish what we're going for here? Is the goal to have true trophy class deer? I guess I don't see the big difference between an 80 inch rack and a 125 inch rack. Neither one is a trophy IMO (just my opinion). Is there any more point in shooting a 125-130 inch deer? One more year in corn country and that deer is probably a wallhanger for a lot of guys. The chances of the 125 making it to wallhanger status is a heck of a lot better than the 80 incher.

Like I said, I personally would be just fine it if APR existed where I hunt. But I surely understand the view of those who are against it, and I don't see myself personally pushing the issue. Over the years I have learned to just enjoy deer hunting for what it is....a chance to have fun for a couple days.

Good luck to everyone this weekend.

[96trigger]

Quote:

Hi, pot! Meet kettle.

Do you even know what that means????

[96trigger]

Quote:

There is only one group who is trying to use the government to push their own personal agenda and make all hunters adopt their way of hunting or to be fined and prosecuted if they don't. That is fact.

You obviously have not been keeping up on Rep. Drazkowski.

[mntatonka]

You obviously have not been keeping up on Rep. Drazkowski.

You mean he's using legislation to open the rules back up to let people practice the management strategy they want to use rather than to be told by the government what's a trophy? What a travesty!

[96trigger]

Just saying....road goes both ways

[TylerS]

Do you even know what that means????

Hypocrisy: For instance, ranting in a post about how annoying it is that others are ranting.

[96trigger]

Sorry, didn't think I was ranting. But, so be it, difference in opinion I guess. To each their own.

[Musky Buck]

If you are a bow hunter and can get out and you're not this week don't blame the orange army, my sources and myself are seeing bucks daily morning and night now, and we're really not scouting just pick a gravel, take the back way into town, saw a weird 1 horned buck this morning, get out there, this is the best bow hunt time of year since the acorn opener. I wish I had a compound and a large scrape at 20 yards this week. The bucks are very active and it was really cool to see that deer this AM against the snow backdrop, he had places to go and girls to see. I guess gun season peak of rut IDK, will moving it help put age on the yearlings I doubt it, they may really get concentrated in cold seasons to a food source and pushing them hard post-rut won't help them go into winter in as good of shape, I know I'll leave 10 acres of standing corn every year if they move it back so I will be storing deer some neighbors would love to have around, but once the snow flies your properties suck lol !

[flipper]

Just saying....road goes both ways

Do you even know what that means???

[96trigger]

evidently you don't.....crying about legislation and then fighting it with legislation. seems legit.

[yakfisher]

Gentlemen, it's actually a racial slur.

[Getanet]

Actually, no it isn't.

[fishhound2013]

Youd have to be loading field cannon hot to be accurate and ethical at 300.

[PurpleFloyd]

I think that people who hunt 1-9 days (and complain about APR) a year think that a deer is a mythical creature that if seen is RARE.... For anyone who spends just a few days a year ONLY hunting. Never does any scouting, does any preparation of habitat, monitoring of the herd should probably just stop whining. There are some deer everywhere (not saying we have an overabundance). If you want to see deer, put some time in. The biggest complaint I hear is: "what-if the only deer I see is a fork or a spike and I can't shoot it... That's not fair" Put some time in, put some effort into the hunt. You will then see the doe or qualifying buck that will also put that meat in your freezer. Harvesting a deer is not a rare thing in zone 3.

For those that say you don't have the time to put in. Well then obviously harvesting that deer is not that important to you. Not everything in life is fair. But APR is a great way to manage our state's herd. Harvesting a deer is not a right, it is a privilege that can be altered by the amount of effort you put in.

Are you talking about deer in general or deer that fit into the definition of a legal buck as dictated by the APR contingency? If you are talking the former I would tend to agree although depending on the amount of corn in the fields you may or may not see a deer. but if you do drives and push the corn there are definitely enough deer around to make some tasty sausage.

If OTOH you are asserting that anyone can do a bit of scouting, set up a stand and see a deer that would qualify as a "Shooter" buck to the APR crowd I would say if you are wrong then what you are proposing will limit the chances of any hunter taking a deer and if you are right there are then certainly enough around to not need to mandate the concept in the first place.

So which is it?

[96trigger]

Quote:

Gentlemen, it's actually a racial slur.

"road going both ways", not a slur. The other one from before about cookware, yes, that could be construed that way.

[Bear55]

If you are a bow hunter and can get out and you're not this week don't blame the orange army, my sources and myself are seeing bucks daily morning and night now, and we're really not scouting just pick a gravel, take the back way into town, saw a weird 1 horned buck this morning, get out there, this is the best bow hunt time of year since the acorn opener. I wish I had a compound and a large scrape at 20 yards this week. The bucks are very active and it was really cool to see that deer this AM against the snow backdrop, he had places to go and girls to see. I guess gun season peak of rut IDK, will moving it help put age on the yearlings I doubt it, they may really get concentrated in cold seasons to a food source and pushing them hard post-rut won't help them go into winter in as good of shape, I know I'll leave 10 acres of standing corn every year if they move it back so I will be storing deer some neighbors would love to have around, but once the snow flies your properties suck lol !

About time you get a bow Musky!

[Getanet]

"road going both ways", not a slur. The other one from before about cookware, yes, that could be construed that way.

Sure, by someone who wants to make a mountain out of a molehill*.

*no offense to moles...or mountains for that matter.

[yakfisher]

"road going both ways", not a slur. The other one from before about cookware, yes, that could be construed that way.

I was referring to the cookware.

[TruthWalleyes]

Youd have to be loading field cannon hot to be accurate and ethical at 300.

Bullets on paper fella. You should try it.

If accuracy has already been proven through practice then what's unethical about it?