'Earn a Buck' - how well has it worked for you in Wisconsin?

[BLACKJACK]

As part of the DNR's special regs (see the other post), they want to experiment with 'earn a buck', where you have to shoot a doe before you can shoot a buck. For you guys that have hunted in Wisconsin under those regs, how has it affected your hunting? Do you think it is working to thin the deer herd in those areas?

Just to clarify, I really don't care one way or the other about earn a buck, where we hunt, we usually shoot 3 does for every buck. I could see it affecting you in a short two day season like zone 4, the first deer you see is a buck, you pass on it, shoot your doe later in the day, then you don't see another buck in the last day and 1/2 of the season.

[PierBridge]

It worked so well and everyone liked it so much they got rid of earn a buck in Wisconsin.

[Swamp Scooter]

Maybe in your area but last season in N. WI. we had earn a buck. It impacted the hunters who normally come up there for the bucks as they had to bag the doe first. The nice thing is the 4 day antlerless only hunt the weekend before MN gun opener. that allows us to go out and get a doe or two and to then be in place to get a buck opening day.

Not sure on the numbers but I think it impacted the area up North in overall deer kill, which is a bad thing up there. They need to get rid of as many as you are willing to take(and make good use of).

My vote is no earn a buck unless there is a doe season only to really go after them. I know in the area I hunt in MN I have not seen a doe in three years! None of the four guys from our group in the area have either! That would mean no deer for any of the 4 hunters for 3 years... Since we got 9 bucks, I think, in 3 years that would be a no kill for our area. The funny thing was the previous 3-4 years in the same locations we got about 4 bucks and maybe 8+ does, have to check the books on the numbers though.

So it is the luck of the draw on opening day if you get to shoot or not.

One thing with the does only hunt, it is a totally different game. Try looking for antlers harder than you ever have before just to know you can shoot a deer is a challenge. And if you get the deer that has the little 3.5 inch nubs you do not see even after a good 5 minutes of scrutiny in your scope, good luck in making the decision to shoot. Then the call to the warden that you blasted a young buck with a spike or something.

A good debate but it deserves some open discussion to bring out all the pros and cons.

[Cooter]

No doubt it resulted in a higher antlerless kill total. They do need to provide more than a 4 day antlerless hunt though as that can be tough for someone booked that weekend who doesn't bow hunt. Also, I think popularity of EAB should be back seat to the overall benefit of the deer herd. EAB might not be the best solution, but it was certainly worth a try - and may be back. Those complaining should offer a better idea.

[riverrat56]

I was thinking, to get over the trophy walking by before you shot a doe situation, what if they wrote the rule you must shoot a doe first or a buck with 4 or more points on both sides?

Wishfull thinking?

Although I do agree that the herd needs to be thinned out, especially the Minnesota Buck to Doe ratio, the way to do it isn't earn a buck, at least not Zone 4, with a 2 day season, how can you justify making someone shoot a doe first? I think a week long season, automatic doe tag, and a managment tag for the whole state would be the way to go. This would spread out some pressure on the hunt, as well as get the buck to doe ratio back in balance. Once that is done, then we can mess with point restrictions and earn a buck, and w/e else the DNR thinks fit.

RR56

[PierBridge]

Quote:

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It worked so well and everyone liked it so much they got rid of earn a buck in Wisconsin.

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Your right my area did not have it last year nor will yours or anybody elses next year. ..

. Click here..BY BY EARN A BUCK

[BLACKJACK]

riverrat, your 'doe or 4+ points per side' has some merit, it still gives you the chance to shoot that big buck that comes by. The problem with any point restiction is that there are a lot of 1 1/2 year old deer that have 8 point basket racks. You end up shooting deer that you are trying to protect.

I also agree with you that EAB would be tough on the zone 4 hunters, if you have only two days, sometimes when we've hunted, its been late afternoon on Sat before you have ANY deer down, and deer can be mighty scarce that second day.

[riverrat56]

That was the problem I was thinking of was the basket racks, that will be good bucks eventually, but could be shot if there was a "or 4 points" rule.

Late on saterday afternoon before you have any deer, man we have had years that we didn't see any deer till sunday morning..........o well thats why it is called hunting, not shooting...........