Any Bow Hunters Out There

[Bagley]

Just wondering if anyone has been out bowhunting yet. Anybody shoot any big bucks yet. I,m pumped to get up to our land in Burnett county.

Bagley

[Deitz Dittrich]

Bagley- I have a cabin up near Grantsburg.. I saw 2 deer on Saturuday evening andhad a fawn at about 4 feet while sitting in a ground blind on sunday morning.. A lot of fun.. looks to be a lot of deer up in that area this year....

[Cooter]

I've been out several times - am seeing deer but out of range. Watched three bucks spar, play, and chase each other last Sat. evening. I know someone shot a 12 pt with a 22 inch spread on opening evening just north of Osseo. Am gonna go tonight and try to fill a bonus tag.

[Jim Hudson]

Have seen a fair number of large bucks this year, one noteable deer that I hunted last year and am hunting this year. He is a main frame 10 with matching kickers off each G2's. Probably would gross in the high 190's and net a booner. Seen him twice so far out of velvet but no shots yet. <P>The biggest deer I have heard of so far came out of Solon Springs:<P>"Larry Kline just called him the ghost buck.Kline shot the 23-point, nontypical whitetail at about 7 a.m. The buck may rank among the top 10 Wisconsin bow-killed whitetails of all time.It has been "green-scored" at 218 0/8 inches by Mark Radzak, an official measurer with the Wisconsin Buck and Bear Club, using the Pope & Young measuring system.The buck weighed 215 pounds, field-dressed. It will be featured in the February issue of North American Whitetail magazine."<P>Good luck to all on their hunting this year. <P>Jim Hudson<P>

[Deitz Dittrich]

Was out this weekend.. saw a lot of does with fawns.. had 2 within about 20 yards for about 20 mins.. the doe even layed down about 5 feet from the base of my stand. Had she beena dry doe I would have used one of the bonus tags I have... Still too early, for now I will wait for a dry doe...

[Bagley]

Haven't been to our land yet. Sounds like this weekend we'll be up. Stop in to the Pheasant Inn in Siren if anyone is up to having a few and sharing some stories after hunting.

Bagley

[Lunker]

Been hunting before and after classes around stevens point here on public land. Seen more turkeys then deer, but have seen a lot of deer while scouting. Thinking of maybe looking at some of these crop damaged lands the dnr posts, anyone know if this is worthwhile? First year hunting WI, I'm a MN boy. Go Vikes

[D. Stadler]

Lunker- If you can find a nice farmer with crop damage tags, it can work out well. Many times, the farmers are reluctant to let strangers on the land, even though they have to to get the tags. I know 2 guys that got their earn-a-buck sticker by shooting does on crop tags even before bowhunting opened!

[Lunker]

According to the dnr site, there is a list of crop damaged farms that have to let hunters hunt the land in exchange for the reimbusement they get. Have to let at least 1 hunter per 20 acres or something around that. OPH and MHA zoned.

[mudman]

not true here is a cut and paste from the WDNR site
Commonly asked questions about Deer Damage Shooting Permits

Who is issued a shooting permit?

DNR Wildlife Managers in cooperation with county wildlife damage specialists issue deer damage shooting permits to farmers who have severe crop damage from deer—specifically when deer damage to their crops is greater than $1000 in the current year, or is expected to exceed $1000 based on records of past damage.

Does a farmer have to provide me with his/her damage back tags?

No. The farmer has sole discretion over who he/she chooses to give the back tags to. The farmer may choose to fill all of the tags him/herself, may give the tags to his/her family, or may give them to people that he/she knows will be able to fill the tags quickly. The farmer is required to fill a percentage of his/her harvest quota to remain eligible for damage claims and shooting permits in subsequent years. As long as the farmer has a required harvest quota, the state must allow the farmer to distribute the permits in the most productive manner.

Do I have to wear blaze orange when participating in a damage hunt?

Yes. Everyone using one of the farmer’s damage tags must wear blaze orange, as outlined in the hunting regulations. While bow hunters using their own tags (NOT damage tags) are not required to wear blaze orange, we strongly suggest that you do, as other hunters are likely hunting with guns on the property.

How many deer can I shoot using the farmer’s damage back tags?

Generally one. A hunter may, however, travel to a different farm where the owner has received a deer damage shooting permit and shoot one deer on that farm using that farmer’s damage back tag.

How many deer can I keep using the farmer’s damage back tags?

One per farmer’s permit. Each participant in a damage hunt (including the farmer) may only keep one deer. Other deer may be given to other people or donated to needy families or organizations in the area.

What types of deer can I shoot using the farmer’s damage tags?

Unless otherwise indicated in writing on the farmer’s permit, you may only shoot antlerless deer.

When are the damage back tags valid?

The farmer will determine the period of time that a hunter is authorized to help shoot damage deer. The farmer’s permit is valid from the date issued through the end of the deer hunting season, with the exception that no deer can be killed during the 24 hours prior to the open gun deer season.

What type of weapon can I use to shoot deer?

If you are using one of the farmer’s damage back tags, you must comply with the firearm type restriction applicable to the farmer’s land during the gun-deer season. In shotgun counties, the farmer, their employees, or members of their immediate family may use a rifle during the time period closed to gun deer hunting. During the regular gun deer season and t-zone season, everyone must comply with the weapons type restriction applicable to the farmer’s land.

Can I shoot deer using a bow on the farmer’s property?

Generally no. If you are using one of the farmer’s damage back tags, you must use a gun to shoot the deer. The reason for this is that the permits are specifically designed to reduce the local population of deer damaging crops on that property as quickly as possible, and guns are generally a faster and more efficient means of harvesting deer than bows. In a few instances, the DNR does authorize the use of bows to shoot deer causing damage, and in these cases it will be specifically written on the farmer’s shooting permit.

Of course, hunters can use their own tags to shoot deer using a bow during the open bow hunting season.

[D. Stadler]

The farmer doesn't have to let anyone on to fill ag tags during the closed season, but they do have to let 2 hunters per 40 acres of huntable land on during the open season. The farmer has a log that is filled out. There is a list of farmers in the program on the HSOforum. Look under hunting opportunities/damage program. It will explain. You will find many farmer's logs however "filled up" however.

[D. Stadler]

Go to this and scroll down. They are listed by counties (split into north and south) in a PDF file.

http://www.dnr.state.wi.us/org/land/wildlife/damage/twotypes.htm

let me know if you still have trouble.

Dave

[mudman]

thanks a million!!!

[mudman]

Stadler
I can't find the "List" of farmers

Man would that be helpful for next year!
any help would be great.

[dan in webster]

Saw our first scrapes today! (northern burnett county)

------------------
Dan in Webster
Campion Log Works

[D. Stadler]

I have a little "honey-hole" on the public land that was a little disappointing last year, but seems to be well on its way this year. I saw a spike, a doe fawn, and then a decent 6 or 8 at the end of the night. They all walked down the trail 20 yds from me downwind and never flinched. That scent-lok clothing really works. I'm sold on the stuff.

[Bagley]

Was out last weekend in Burnett Co. Saturday morning passed up a basket eight. Saturday night saw ten, two little bucks the rest were does and fawns. Saw lots of deer in the fields at night.

Bagley

[This message has been edited by Bagley (edited 10-15-2004).]

[Jim Hudson]

Season has been good for me. On the 11th I shot a 4 1/2 year old 8 point, 18 3/4 inch inside spread with a green score of 139 1/8. The recent cold weather with rain up here in the northern part of the state has got most bucks on the move. Have seen many that will be shooters if they make through another season.

[Cooter]

Congrats to you JHK. Where are you hunting "up north"?

[Deitz Dittrich]

Got any Pictures... I'm sure I speak for most. and would love to see them.

[JoshM]

I shot my first deer on saturday ,130 pound doe dressed. I have shot many deer with rifle but nothing compares with shooting one with a bow even if it was a doe .

[Jim Hudson]

Yeah, I have some pictures. If any of you can help me get them on here. I will scan some tonight and then see if I can send them to someone to upload them on here or have someone tell me how. I dont really understand how to do that sort of thing for this forum site. And up north, if northern Bayfield County.

[Deitz Dittrich]

You just need to up load it to the net using some free site.. I know many use shutterfly but it hasn't been working too well lately with our new format. Then post it on here by doing this..

and we will see this buck.. I cant wait!.. love pictures!

[Surface Tension]

JKH431 and his deer

[Deitz Dittrich]

~NOW THATS WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT!~

very nice deer!