Explain to me please

[matchset]

I would love to hear ideas, suggestions or even facts as to why the MINNESOTA DNR take till Late summer to announce the laws and regulations and any changes for the upcoming season when other states such as Wisconsin, Illinois and Iowa have already implemented changes to the upcoming season based on the severe and harsh winter we've already experienced. 2 years in a row. Record cold. And almost unbelievable snowfall depth up north.

It's not hard to see the effects of the winter. It shouldn't take 8 months. Are they hoping we'll forget?

[Jameson]

Have you looked outside? We still are in winter. Those other states already are feeling spring. I've still got a foot of snow covering most of the yard here in the metro. Hopefully not after today's 60 degree predicted temps. They are hopefully waiting to decide for many areas bucks only vs no season.

[nofishfisherman]

I don't really care when they make the decision as long as they make the right decision. Generally it would seem to make sense to wait until winter is actually over before determining how bad it hurt the herd. I'm not sure how early the other states make their decisions but if its too early they are only basing it off half of a winter and then guessing what the 2nd half is going to be like.

[Scoot]

I don't really care when they make the decision as long as they make the right decision.

I agree. If waiting this long was due to them waiting until Winter was over so they could make good, informed decisions, I'd be all for it. History suggests that's not how it'll work this year once again. They have a really, really tough job, but I just keep on scratching my head at them year after year. I sure don't envy them and their job though- can't please everyone all the time...

[matchset]

Good thing they warned us against supplemental feeding,.then did did the exact opposite. And way to wait till mid March to feed the minnesota deer heard! Real classy job.

I'm not happy.

[uffdapete]

Two words make more fish and game rules than biologists: political pressure.

[SmellEsox]

Jameson, I'd be really, really surprised if they close seasons anywhere. Do you really think they'll do that? Is it necessary?

[Jameson]

Don't think they will do it, how 'necessary' is a matter of opinion. IMO, it was necessary in 2013 in parts of the state, definitely this year. Necessary, not to keep the species from extinction, but to supply MN citizens with a decent deer herd. Not just a barely good enough deer herd.

I have listened to enough speeches by several public wildlife managers to know that if they are getting complaints from both sides of an issue (too many deer/too few deer) than they have a good policy somewhere in the middle. If the complaints are too one sided, so is the rule. Way more complaining from hunters than from farmers recently. Also several public wildlife managers have spoken about the value of having the trust of the hunters, and they always say it is the most valuable tool they have at controlling deer numbers. Currently, many hunters in the state have lost trust in the MN DNR and I believe that going with a way strict season this year will get the hunters back to start to trust the DNR again. So that whenever the deer herd explodes again the hunters will trust the DNR enough to shoot some does and control the population.

[LABS4ME]

Have you looked outside? We still are in winter. Those other states already are feeling spring. I've still got a foot of snow covering most of the yard here in the metro. Hopefully not after today's 60 degree predicted temps. They are hopefully waiting to decide for many areas bucks only vs no season.

Maybe Illinois is... I know in Western WI where I am... (30 miles east of St PAul, the snow is still knee deep... and the further north you go , it gets deeeper and deeper. Far from Spring in a lot of WI.

Good Luck!

Ken

[smsmith]

Most of the northern third of WI received more snow than did most of central MN this year. I know the Antigo, WI area still has close to 2' of snow in the woods as of a day ago or so.

WI DNR announced 5-6 weeks ago that there would be drastic reductions in the number of antlerless permits for the 2014 deer season.

[BassAholic]

How about the harvest results!!!!????

This data is posted in WI immediately after the season. I have no idea why MN does not do the same thing.

I'm guessing they want hunters to cool down before taking in the low numbers...

[CANOPY SAM]

Personally, I'd much rather have them take a little more time to compile accurate data, to make decisions based on all the information, rather then rush the release of reports just to satisfy the eternally angry minority.

And oh, by the way, the weather data recently released shows we are at about the 13th to 15th coldest winter on record, and no where near record snow fall levels. So no big record breaking data this year, at least in NW MN where we've seen pretty much the worst of the weather in MN this winter.

Additionally, we are currently in the midst of perhaps the worst snow storm we've had this winter. So is winter weather really over? I wish! This last round is really depressing. I'm looking out my front window right now and it's snowing as hard, if not harder then I've seen all year!

[Jameson]

I think we worry too much about the winter. A cold spring can be just as damaging. We aren't in the clear just yet.

[Jameson]

...WI DNR announced 5-6 weeks ago that there would be drastic reductions in the number of antlerless permits for the 2014 deer season.

How much of this was due to the WI DNR reacting to the weather, and how much of this was due to the WI DNR reacting to hunter complaints/observations from last fall? 50/50?

No matter, the MN DNR needs to do something.

[smsmith]

How much of this was due to the WI DNR reacting to the weather, and how much of this was due to the WI DNR reacting to hunter complaints/observations from last fall? 50/50?

No matter, the MN DNR needs to do something.

I couldn't say for certain. I'm sure both were factors. Even given that, it does show that at least the WI DNR is aware and in tune (and may actually care) with their hunters and what they think.

Our DNR just keeps saying their model works and "we're at goal"

[ozzie]

I am really interested to hear what you think should have been done matchset? Should they guess on how the seasons (winter/spring) will end and make a decision in January or February? and on the feeding issue the DNR did not want to feed the herd and stated that it is for the most part pointless and may actually hurt the population but MDHA and politics bud in and demanded it!! The DNR is doing what they can with all the political demand and doing what they believe is best to manage our deer herd. Winter is tough and deer die and populations take a toll...it mother nature deal with it!!

[mntatonka]

How about the harvest results!!!!????

This data is posted in WI immediately after the season. I have no idea why MN does not do the same thing.

I'm guessing they want hunters to cool down before taking in the low numbers...

I'll give you the exact reason why according to the MN DNR:

"It takes a significant amount of time to check the registration data; a number of errors occur that can be corrected (e.g., people enter dates in backwards, register with wrong license…)."

[matchset]

Minnesota is slow in many forms of government. It takes Weeks to get your drivers license renewed. But other states do it all in the same day.

That has nothing to do with deer. But i just see the facts.

December was brutal from the very first day. January was bitter cold. February was a no exception. For me that says that the deer have had a hard winter. We shouldn't have to wait till August to see how they did. Ever heard of preventive maintenance? !

So what if March would have been warm and no snow. Would the dnr say the winter wasn't "that bad" . How soon we forget the Below zero temps for days and weeks.

[Bear55]

March is really the critical month, deer can take the cold and snow but an extended winter into a cold spring can be the tipping point when they can't recover. Generally speaking last winter was ok until the brutal March and April and the results were harvest down 18% in the NE. With a mild spring they get a break and more access to food when they need it the most.

[NoWiser]

I have no issue with the way the DNR is managing the herd at all. They have an impossible job trying to keep everyone happy. There was no way they could predict the multiple severe winters in a row given the 10 or so mild ones before them.

The last 3 or 4 years we've given the does a pass even though it was legal to take them. The benefits were clear last year when we saw the most deer yet in our little area while those around us who shoot everything they see had another horrible year. You can only blame the DNR for so much. Who cares if you have a doe tag in your pocket...if you aren't seeing many deer, don't shoot one!! Seems like those complaining the most are the ones who can't control their trigger finger when that fat doe with two fawns following her walks by (not singling anyone from this board out, by the way.)

All the online complaining in the world won't do a thing. Instead, spend some time convincing your hunting party to manage the deer in your area. I guarantee you will see a lot more results! Have a meeting before each deer season and decide for yourselves how many (if any) does should be taken, and stick to it.

[mntatonka]

March is really the critical month, deer can take the cold and snow but an extended winter into a cold spring can be the tipping point when they can't recover. Generally speaking last winter was ok until the brutal March and April and the results were harvest down 18% in the NE. With a mild spring they get a break and more access to food when they need it the most.

I suppose it depends on what areas you actually consider to be northeast, but my numbers show the harvest was actually down 27% from 2012 to 2013 (areas 117,118,119,122,126,127,176,177,178,180,181).

Of course, much of that decrease was due to a reduction in available antlerless permits in the lottery areas, and that 176 went from Managed to Lottery, and that 178 and 180 wend from Managed to Hunter's choice, which skews the numbers. Take those out, and you're at a 12% reduction.

[Jameson]

I have no issue with the way the DNR is managing the herd at all. They have an impossible job trying to keep everyone happy. There was no way they could predict the multiple severe winters in a row given the 10 or so mild ones before them.

The last 3 or 4 years we've given the does a pass even though it was legal to take them. The benefits were clear last year when we saw the most deer yet in our little area while those around us who shoot everything they see had another horrible year. You can only blame the DNR for so much. Who cares if you have a doe tag in your pocket...if you aren't seeing many deer, don't shoot one!! Seems like those complaining the most are the ones who can't control their trigger finger when that fat doe with two fawns following her walks by (not singling anyone from this board out, by the way.)

All the online complaining in the world won't do a thing. Instead, spend some time convincing your hunting party to manage the deer in your area. I guarantee you will see a lot more results! Have a meeting before each deer season and decide for yourselves how many (if any) does should be taken, and stick to it.

I too was happy with my deer hunt last year. Like you I have done my hardest to get away from other hunters. The DNR doesn't really do anything much for you or I. It just would be nice if they did do something in areas with many hunters so that we wouldn't have to go so far off the beaten path to have decent hunting.

[Jameson]

I suppose it depends on what areas you actually consider to be northeast, but my numbers show the harvest was actually down 27% from 2012 to 2013 (areas 117,118,119,122,126,127,176,177,178,180,181).

Of course, much of that decrease was due to a reduction in available antlerless permits in the lottery areas, and that 176 went from Managed to Lottery, and that 178 and 180 wend from Managed to Hunter's choice, which skews the numbers. Take those out, and you're at a 12% reduction.

Just curious, is the buck harvest down the same? That is what the DNR uses....

[mntatonka]

Just curious, is the buck harvest down the same? That is what the DNR uses....

buck harvest was down 14% across those areas.

[NoWiser]

I too was happy with my deer hunt last year. Like you I have done my hardest to get away from other hunters. The DNR doesn't really do anything much for you or I. It just would be nice if they did do something in areas with many hunters so that we wouldn't have to go so far off the beaten path to have decent hunting.

I agree with you completely, Jameson. I have to wonder what else the DNR could do, besides lowering doe tag numbers. And, maybe that is the answer itself - bucks only for a year or two in some areas. I know people would complain about that too, though.

I just wish people would start thinking for themselves, though. If you think the population can't support doe harvest, then choose not to use your doe permits. Make the job a little easier for the DNR by paying attention to your area. It's very easy to complain, but a lot harder to take action.

For instance, I know one guy who hunts up near Leech. All season long he did nothing but complain on his FB page about how the DNR and wolves ruined the deer herd and how he was legitimately concerned that the deer were going to completely disappear from his area. Well, I know for a fact during the muzzleloader season he went out and wounded a doe that he never found and then shot another doe the next day. So, he just possibly eliminated 6 deer from his area next year. But he blames the DNR and wolves?? Stuff like that drives me crazy!

Hopefully we get an easy winter or two here, soon. That would do a lot more than anything the DNR could do with regulation changes.