Does everyone deserve to shoot a deer?

[totally_addicted]

With all the discussion of what is right, what is wrong, APR, lottery, 1 1/2 year old buck harvest, etc. I thought of this questions: "Does everyone deserve to shoot a deer?"

I am not sure that I feel that way. I feel hunting is a privilege that most people have the chance to participate in. I feel like harvesting a deer is also a privilege that most people THINK they should have the RIGHT to do. Does the state think that as well? Do all states have doe tags and/or buck tags available for every hunter that wants to hunt in the state, plus all the non-residents that want one as well? Or are we (MN) different than other states? If we are different than other states, then why do we choose to manage our herd differently?

I am a big buck hunter who LOVES to eat venison. I shot a doe this year at camp ripley with my bow and was very grateful for the opportunity to harvest her. However, if I did not get that chance there or on the several other places I have to hunt public and private I would not have shot a deer that I felt was not worthy of my tag. I personally believe I should only harvest a mature deer male or female.

How do I determine worthy? That is the toughest questions of all. For me, I like the idea of matching wits with a mature buck. I love the preparation, the chase and the challenge as much as the idea of harvesting one. My desire for deer meat is not a NEED it is a WANT. Which I think is probably the same for many of the state's hunters.

What is best for our state's herd? Does anyone know? The DNR? Certain wildlife biologists? What is the correct answer?

****This is not an attack on meat hunters. It is not an APR debate. It is a health of our state's deer herd discussion. Just wondering what people out there think out herd should look like...

[DTro]

I sure seen a lot of pics of smiling kids next to forkhorns and small does all over FB this weekend.

I think any kind of outdoor experience should be about the memories, and time spent together with family and friends.

Because you cannot shoot and release a deer, my views differ on hunting than on fishing in regards to harvest, but in general I feel a dead deer is a dead deer.

[gardn184]

I'm with DTro on this one, for me its the experience and the opportunity to harvest a deer that makes you happy that's important. I've seen accomplished hunters who've killed 125" deer they weren't excited about, and I've seen new hunters or hunters in a bad stretch kill a spike they were ecstatic about. My dad shot a small 6 pointer last year with his gun. It was the first deer he's killed in 6 years, and the first he's seen in 2. It was an awesome experience that I wouldn't trade for the world. As far as overall herd health it's almost impossible to paint it with a broad brush because deer herds can change locally so much. For example hunter A has a crappy piece of old growth timber, while 2 miles down the road hunter B has planted food plots, makes sanctuaries, and makes sure the deer have a winter food source. I think the states that have it correct are ones that allow private land owners to make their own decisions on their property and pay the biologists to do their best to manage public lands only. This way they can afford more studies on lands that are utilized by everyone and find the best equation to keep most hunters happy. I know a couple states offer landowner tags for does and it seems to work quite well. Read the report Dr Kroll did on Wisconsin it was very interesting.

[skee0025]

For me its all about the size of the herd not the size of the head gear. Everyone deserves the opportunity to harvest what they consider a trophy.

[leech~~]

Since my party of 9 guys only seen and took 2 deer in the woods this opener. Maybe you could work on a way to keep the 10 I counted splatter on hwy 94 on my way down from St Cloud last night off the free way would be a good start!

[Rippinlip]

Your question, "Does everyone deserve to shoot a deer?"

Legally spoken, yes. That's why you buy a license.

I think you buy a license to have a chance to pursue deer.

Whether you want to pull the trigger or drop the string is up to you.

I am also a person that has a family that likes to eat venison.

Wife and I usually take a doe or 2 if the opportunity exists.

But overall I am looking for quality deer, so I like to see lots of deer and take advantage of the opportunity that exists on some meat for the freezer or a Buck of my liking.

To each their own.

[bobbymalone]

Legally spoken, yes. That's why you buy a license.

Legally spoken you are buying the privilege to hunt.

I'm reminded of the old saying, "That's why they call it fishing, not catching"

Good luck out there, but heck no are you entitled to a deer because you bought a license.

[rockman]

I agree with what Rippinlip posted. Is everyone going to fill a deer tag? Nope. Does everyone who buys a license deserve a chance to shoot one? Yes, they do. It's a matter of personal choice, as to what the legally licensed deer hunter does during the hunt. To say that any one hunter does not deserve to shoot a deer, is a matter of one man's opinion, and at the same time, a bunch of nonsense.

[snapcrackpop]

Shoot what makes you happy.

I like to shoot big bucks as much as anyone, but the pursue of big antlers is hurting opportunity. It limits access to property and drives up prices of land.

"Does everyone DESERVE to shoot a deer?" Heck No, but we should all have an opportunity that increases with the amount of time we devote to it.

[laker1]

I think shooting a deer is a bonus. I wonder in recent years with all the new gagets etc. and deer TV hunts. We are making shooting a deer is all that counts.

Just go out there and enjoy nature and if you get one thats great,if you don't it is not the end of the world. Some are getting on a ego trip that you got a deer just to say you shot one to friends. That't not what hunting is about.

[walleyeslammer]

As a person who lived in MN for years and now live in South Dakota, I may have a different perspective. This year I applied for a buck license in 3 different seasons and did not draw for any of them. So this year I those areas I do to have the right to shoot a deer. The interesting thing. In SouthDakota is that we draw for bucks not does and. I cannot believe the difference in the numbers and quality of deer out here. I guess I don't think that everyone has the right to shoot a deer. Since moving to South Dakota, I have still been part of deer camp in MN and to me that is what it's all about. MN in my opinion needs to reform their lottery system and as a result people in areas with limited population may go without a license but if that provides the rest of the guys in my deer camp with abetter opportunity I would be all for it. With all that being said, there is nothing more special than deer camp so regardless please enjoy your time with family and friends because ultimately that's what it's all about. Good hunting everyone.

[walleyeslammer]

As a person who lived in MN for years and now live in South Dakota, I may have a different perspective. This year I applied for a buck license in 3 different seasons and did not draw for any of them. So this year I those areas I do to have the right to shoot a deer. The interesting thing. In SouthDakota is that we draw for bucks not does and. I cannot believe the difference in the numbers and quality of deer out here. I guess I don't think that everyone has the right to shoot a deer. Since moving to South Dakota, I have still been part of deer camp in MN and to me that is what it's all about. MN in my opinion needs to reform their lottery system and as a result people in areas with limited population may go without a license but if that provides the rest of the guys in my deer camp with abetter opportunity I would be all for it. With all that being said, there is nothing more special than deer camp so regardless please enjoy your time with family and friends because ultimately that's what it's all about. Good hunting everyone.

[CANOPY SAM]

Does everyone deserve to shoot a deer? Heck no!

Deserve is somewhat of an ambiguous term.

Nothing rubs my fur backwards more then seeing some pompous, blubbering no-mind bragging about his giant buck that he emptied his gun on while road hunting, hit four times as it ran across another person's property, only to cut the antlers off, mount em' on a plaque, and let the rest of the animal rot in his garage until he tossed it into the dumpster at Taco John's. Did he "deserve" to shoot this animal? I don't think so, but that may just be my humble opinion. He bought and paid for a license, which entitles him to shoot a legal deer, but does he deserve to?

This is yet another question of ethics that can go down so many different rabbit trails it might never end. I would say this question is not unlike asking, "Does everyone deserve to be rich beyond their wildest dreams?"

[B-man715]

Does everyone deserve to shoot a deer? Heck no!

Deserve is somewhat of an ambiguous term.

Nothing rubs my fur backwards more then seeing some pompous, blubbering no-mind bragging about his giant buck that he emptied his gun on while road hunting, hit four times as it ran across another person's property, only to cut the antlers off, mount em' on a plaque, and let the rest of the animal rot in his garage until he tossed it into the dumpster at Taco John's. Did he "deserve" to shoot this animal? I don't think so, but that may just be my humble opinion. He bought and paid for a license, which entitles him to shoot a legal deer, but does he deserve to?

This is yet another question of ethics that can go down so many different rabbit trails it might never end. I would say this question is not unlike asking, "Does everyone deserve to be rich beyond their wildest dreams?"

[Big Dave2]

I agree with what Rippinlip posted. Is everyone going to fill a deer tag? Nope. Does everyone who buys a license deserve a chance to shoot one? Yes, they do. It's a matter of personal choice, as to what the legally licensed deer hunter does during the hunt. To say that any one hunter does not deserve to shoot a deer, is a matter of one man's opinion, and at the same time, a bunch of nonsense.

This reeks of entitlement attitude.

[B-man715]

No it doesn't Dave. Entitlement is something that is given.....

Working to earn money to purchase a tag and then busting azz to shoot a deer is far from that........

[boXCar JiggY]

Hmmmmmmm there is a taco johns in town isnt there. Hmmmmmmmmm I wonder.........

[CANOPY SAM]

So many different names, and yet it still remains the same....Hmmmmmmm.....

[eyeguy 54]

deserve?? strange ?

[nonteepical]

I don't get why people on here (the self proclaimed meat hunter) seem to think, because a deer gets mounted it dosen't get eaten, absolute talk.

[slimngrizzly]

I don't think anyone DESERVES anything!

You pay your $31 for the opportunity to hunt... whether you "earned" or "deserved" what you got is between you and mother nature...

I agree with CanopySam here... you have the right to hunt but no one deserves to kill anything. I know how hard I work to get a deer sometimes, and I can feel I deserve one, but that doesn't mean a hill of beans as far as what anyone else thinks.

Work hard, it'll pay off. At least that's how its supposed to be....

[Jameson]

"Does everyone deserve to shoot a deer?"

NO

Every citizen deserves the same opportunity as the next to buy a license. Beyond that, NO.

[harvey lee]

I don't think anyone DESERVES anything!

You pay your $31 for the opportunity to hunt... whether you "earned" or "deserved" what you got is between you and mother nature...

I agree with CanopySam here... you have the right to hunt but no one deserves to kill anything. I know how hard I work to get a deer sometimes, and I can feel I deserve one, but that doesn't mean a hill of beans as far as what anyone else thinks.

Work hard, it'll pay off. At least that's how its supposed to be....

You hit the nail on the head square.

[nonteepical]

Entitled no. deserves a deer, why not? the good lord put them on earth for us to enjoy, but it's hunting with no guarantees, and supposed to be that way.

[totally_addicted]

Many of you have shared opinions on the deserving a deer question. I have also read a lot of reports that sound like complaining about lack of deer, or displeasure in how many deer they saw over the weekend. What do those who are seeing a lack of deer propose we should do about our herd?

What should Minnesota's deer herd look like? a) more deer than we currently have we have the right amount of deer c) More does for breeding (meaning less doe tags) d) More bucks for the herd (meaning buck lottery or less buck tags)

I find myself wondering what is the right answer. For me I hunt all over the state of MN. Some private some public. I hunt mostly in Central MN, but each year I hunt in zone 241 some, I hunted in Winona county this year a little, I also grew up hunting in area 197. I feel that is a very good sample of much of the state's different habitats. The only thing I personally have NEVER thought was "Boy, we have too many deer around here". At certain times I have felt all of the choices above about the areas I frequently hunt.

I do too also agree that everyone should be able to shoot what they want to an extent. On private land I feel if you want to decimate or preserve your herd then go ahead, but don't complain after you have made the choice to do one or the other. On public land I feel regulations should be different. Not everyone has the opportunity to harvest a deer on private land so they have to resort to public land. Most public lands are already less dense populations than private land in the same area. So controlling what the public can shoot on those lands might make more sense, IMO.

The only variable that some of you have pointed out that I totally agree with and have failed to mention is our youth hunters. I too agree that under a certain age, maybe 16 or 18, hunters regardless of area should be able to harvest any deer they would like. Watching those kids' faces light up is probably the best part of hunting for many people.

Let's keep this discussion going. It is not an argument and so far everyone has been adding thoughts without attacking each other. That makes it much more enjoyable then some of the other debates on here.