Doe permits

[Juneau4]

How can you go from 550 to 30 doe permits in some zones in a 1 year period?

[Powerstroke]

The short answer is that the DNR makes adjustments based on harvest results and the input from hunters towards population goals.

So, if the DNR heard from the hunters in your zone and they all said they would like to see higher deer populations then they would reduce antlerless permits in your area to allow more adult deer to survive the season to reproduce.

If the hunters last year had a lot of success then populations may have been a bit down so they reduced the number of permits so that doesn't happen again.

Many areas had this happen this year. There was a link on the DNR's deer hunting webpage about populations and how the DNR was working in certain areas. If you do a search on doe permits I'm sure oyu'll find it on here. I posted it a couple times back in July.

[Juneau4]

Thank you for the info, I just think that 30 doe permits for 6 days in an area 800 square miles is a little absurd from what was in the past. Maybe they had to many in the past years. I know they can't say it was to severe winters.

[TrophyEyes]

Is it reasonable to say that due to a lack of water and food that they are concerned about next winter? Trust me if they keep it at 30 does for the next couple years you will be pleasantly surprised on how many deer you will be able to see. Understand that it is not immediate and by the time you see the additional deer, you will have forgotten this discussion.

[slimngrizzly]

Its the DNR's way of saying "OOPS, guess we shouldnt have let everyone kill EVERYTHING the past few years!" Now were just gonna beat up on the little bucks for a while until the population comes around again! Traditional deer management at its finest!?!

ARRGGG ok...settle down slim.....

[Jameson]

That's 30 doe permits for adult non-disabled firearms hunters. Still have YOUTH permits, disabled permits, archery hunters, and muzzleload hunters above the 30 doe permits for adult non-disabled firearms hunters.

[deerdragger]

My buddy hunts a zone that has been Intensive Harvest for the past several years. This year - Lottery Zone. They (the DNR) were either WAY WRONG in the years past, or they are WAY WRONG this year, as the population just hasn't changed that dramatically in the course of one season.

[TrophyEyes]

If you hunt a lottery zone and you intend to hunt Firearm and Muzzleloader you have to pull a doe tag to shoot a doe during Muzzloader. If you buy a muzzleloader permit only you can shoot either. Just wanted to clear that up. That is a new change this year. I had to double check with the DNR because it was somewhat unclear.

[tealitup]

Quote:

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If you hunt a lottery zone and you intend to hunt Firearm and Muzzleloader you have to pull a doe tag to shoot a doe during Muzzloader. If you buy a muzzleloader permit only you can shoot either. Just wanted to clear that up. That is a new change this year. I had to double check with the DNR because it was somewhat unclear.

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Are you sure? Wow, I read the regulations wrong. I thought a doe permit was needed for either one; and you can only take one doe in the season.

[TrophyEyes]

Read pg 60 of the new Regs book or online. Lottery areas, you can only take one DEER with an all season license, and you can only take a doe if you have been selected for a doe tag. The only other way you can take a doe in a lottery area is with a bow or if you select Muzzleloading (license code 212-ML) as your only "firearms license" pg 90 in the regs. The bottom of page 62 also explains the laws.

[Powerstroke]

The answer to the question above is exactly the way it was answered a couple months ago. The reason there have been large sweeping changes in how many permits are out there and how to manage certain zones is not a "whoops we're stupid" reaction.

Here is the link. Deer hunting page

Click at the bottom of the page. If you read through the the little presentation you'll find the explanations. The DNR has been doing lots of hunter surveys lately and many hunters wanted to see higher populations. In order to gain more deer you have to cut down on the doe harvest. If you'd like a more in depth answer feel free to call your local wildlife manager.

[sparcebag]

I did that survey,and like most particitents suggested 25% increase in deer pop.A few years back 2-3 we'd see on evening drives 10-30 deer on same route last year & this we'd be lucky to see 2-3 deer.Same with around our house,every evening we'd see at least 2 does with fawns sometimes 4-6 does w/fawns,this year we've seen a doe maybe 2 all summer till now, and no fawns.I went for walks in the last two weeks lookin for deer sign saw very little where I normally hunt archery.I'm yet deciding if I'll get a lisence opener was youth waterfoul so I dont go that time anyway.