MBRB Legit?

[pumper317]

I have a question based on what I heard a rumor of. Does the MBRB do legit blind draws, or is it a good old boys club? I am a member, but not sure how much time I want to put into it if I am just going to get the leftovers every time. I was not expecting much, as I am a first year guy. I just heard this stuff and wanted to ask.

Thanks for the input.

[nofishfisherman]

I have no firsthand experience, only through a good friend and hunting buddy. He sent in an app for the first time last year and was drawn for his preferred spot his first year. Not sure how much luck that took or if it was just an unpopular location. I believe it was up by Bald Eagle in the north east metro.

He opted not to do it again this year because the time commitment was just too much. He ended up having to take time off work (he works a normal 9-5 job) to attend meetings and to place stands, and then the multiple weekend commitment was challenging with young kids at home.

Overall it seems like he had a good experience in how it was organized and facilitated but the overall time commitment was just too much.

Oh and he did see a few deer but nothing in shooting range.

[DonBo]

From what I've seen, only those in charge of the individual hunts get real preference.

I once thought like you did, but then talked to a guy who I thought was one of the "Good Old Boys". He told me that everything is totaly by blind draws, I believe him.

[pumper317]

Thanks guys. I just heard that it may be, and saw on here that people do it so I thought I would ask. I have nothing against the organization and think it would be a great thing to get in to. I just wanted to know if I am getting in to something that is a waste of time or not.

[Powerstroke]

I will offer up that in the old days (5+ years ago) there was a little more of the GOB network going on.

I can tell you with complete knowledge of the system that everything is done by blind computer draw now. With the popularity of the program its getting harder to get drawn for hunts because we have more members than hunt spots.

[Wensel]

? to original poster?

Had you been drawn would you have the same question?

“Change the way you look at things and the things you look at change

[aanderud]

? to original poster?

Had you been drawn would you have the same question?

“Change the way you look at things and the things you look at change

I'm not the OP but I don't know what you're getting at here. The OP was simply asking a question. It's a very legitimate question to ask -- especially if you actually read Powerstroke's response describing how it was alleged to have operated in the past. Perhaps it is you who should change the way you look at things and see if the things you look at change?

[HNTNBUX]

I will agree that the way it was run in the past has kept me from applying for about the last five years. So yes there is enough to question the integrity of the system.

I hope it has changed for those still involved.

[Wensel]

What I’m “getting” at is simple; would he ask the question of legitimacy of the MBRB had he been drawn, simply that.

I’ve seen the amount of time and effort put in by these “run the hunt groups” and many have crossed a lot of bumpy roads. Most have figured out that transparency into the organization is the only thing that works.

That said, it’s all too easy to call out a group on one of these forums, and in this case why? Because I didn’t get drawn? Really…?

[DonBo]

That said, it’s all too easy to call out a group on one of these forums, and in this case why? Because I didn’t get drawn? Really…?

I don't think he was calling out this group at all, just asking a legit question, which I believe has been answered.

[pumper317]

I was just asking a question and I did get drawn, so in fact I still would ask the question. No big deal, I had just heard a rumor, and before I go to the meeting, or apply for the future I wanted to know if I should invest my time, earn the points, and try and draw for a hunt.

I have nothing against the organization, and I don't feel the need to call them or anyone out. Thanks for all those who answered.

[Walker Bay]

I applied for a couple years with very good success. I don't know anyone that has anything to do with MBRB. Both hunts I participated in I was successful.

If I still lived in the city I would still be applying especially with the antlerless situation state wide.

[Sir_Sumo]

I think they should be legit however I don't like how the tests are conducted. Think they need to narrow it Down to one shop or two at the most for conducting tests. When I went and took my test last month, I was watched but the guy after me wasn't. Kinda ridiculous that when returning to the range after getting signed off, this guy had sharpshooter holes but had to run behind the target to get his arrow that magically fell behind it. His target had holes that 5 arrows would not could not make. Should be 5 circles in the paper. He had 3 close to the edge of the 4" circle then a huge chunk missing in the center. How does this happen? Aside from all this, I shoot at public parkway ranges all summer and have talked to numerous mbrb veteran hunters and a lot of them couldn't even group in the pie plate. Wish this was addressed. Another thing is, talked to a couple of guys on the public ranges and they admitted to losing deer and booted from hunts early, but why isn't it published in the stats? Curious of this.

[Powerstroke]

I'm not really sure how to address your concerns about the proficiency tests. Its hard enough to find a bow shop nearby the way it is right now. Cutting it to one or two shops would mean 500 guys trying to get their tests done at a shop that is trying to do business. Either that or you test out at the meeting somehow and then you'd have anywhere from 10-40 guys trying to take a shooting test in one spot on one night. Im not really sure what you're worried about. There will always be a cheater in any sport. Its impossible to eliminate them all.

As far as statistics, I'm not sure what you're talking about. MBRB hasn't published stats to the public in several years. Yes people who have wounded deer or taken poor shots or broken DNR rules have been excused from the hunts. Its the only way to get rid of bad hunters.

[Sir_Sumo]

Not sure if it's ok to paste but grabbed this off their site

http://mbrb.org/mbrb/mbrbimage/hunt-stats.xls

I think thats a great idea to shoot meeting night. It only takes 5 min tops to shoot 5 arrows. Pass or you don't.

[Powerstroke]

Well, I'm not really sure what to tell you. I'm not trying to say you don't know what you're talking about, but you have a lot of suggestions to fix a system you've never participated in before. This is your first year.

As far as the hunt tests, even if it only took 5 mins, which is not realistic considering shooting a sharpshooter proficiency requires 6 arrows in the inner circle and I don't feel like breaking arrows or tearing vanes off to speed up the process, having each guy shoot at the meeting would take too long. The smaller hunts have 6-12 people per hunt, that would mean 30-60 minutes just for a hunt test. Since you've not been to a meeting before, there is usually very little extra time to stand around and watch other guys shoot arrows.

The largest meeting covers all of the Ramsey Cty park hunts in the same meeting so now you're talking over 60 ppl at one meeting. Can you see the logistical problem? It was be an orientation meeting that lasts 4+ hours.

As far as the stats, I'm not sure what you want to see. Are you worried about the unrecovered deer or the number of people kicked out?