Are the glory days of deer hunting coming to a close?

[MN Slick]

What do you think is the cause of that decline? I'm assuming it is the increased focus on big bucks now as opposed to the freezer filling goals of the past.

In short, high grading and EHD has really hurt areas in Southern Iowa. High grading is the reason in my little world of Missouri.

 

[MN Slick]

Watch what you wish for. I lived in an era where everyone shot the first buck they saw. From 1980 until 1992, I killed two bucks a year - 26 bucks. The biggest I saw - and killed, was a 2.5 yr old 7 pt.

I wish for it, as long as there's a good population of deer and a reasonable amount of hunters.

 

[Howboutthemdawgs]

I wish for it, as long as there's a good population of deer and a reasonable amount of hunters.

These are the deer I lose. Just a puppy but has all you would ever want in 3-4 years. I know it’s a lot to ask but I know the guy who shot this. Goons from North Carolina who show up for a week and throw bait and wait. Guarantee this is sitting in the corner of the garage now collecting dust

 

[Hoytvectrix]

This is a buck I filmed a few times during the firearm season:

About 15 minutes after I saw him heading for the property line I heard a single shot, followed by a bunch of does that ran my way.

I found him this past weekend about 150 yards from the property line as I was checking on some trees I planted a few weeks ago:


With a single bullet hole in his hind leg. Bizarrely, nothing has touched the carcass yet, but it was covered under snow for about two weeks.

I don't even know who shot him because the neighbor doesn't hunt. I was never contacted about tracking him.

 

[Wind Gypsy]

This is a buck I filmed a few times during the firearm season:
View attachment 86757
About 15 minutes after I saw him heading for the property line I heard a single shot, followed by a bunch of does that ran my way.

I found him this past weekend about 150 yards from the property line as I was checking on some trees I planted a few weeks ago:
View attachment 86758

With a single bullet hole in his hind leg. Bizarrely, nothing has touched the carcass yet, but it was covered under snow for about two weeks.
View attachment 86759
I don't even know who shot him because the neighbor doesn't hunt. I was never contacted about tracking him.

Impressive shooting.. I’d contact the land owner and ask if he allowed anyone because you heard a shot. He might want to know if he doesn’t allow anyone..

 

[Hoytvectrix]

Impressive shooting.. I’d contact the land owner and ask if he allowed anyone because you heard a shot. He might want to know if he doesn’t allow anyone..

Our immediate neighbor doesn't hunt or allow anyone to hunt but he owns just a few acres. I'm trying to track down the people on the other side of them.

 

[SwampCat]

What you have to remember is, folks shooting spikes dont just stop at spikes - they shoot everything

 

[Wind Gypsy]

What you have to remember is, folks shooting spikes dont just stop at spikes - they shoot everything

I think folks are saying they'd rather first legal buck get shot than first high genetic potential 2-4 YO get shot.. Around me, a high genetic potential 3 YO is likely the best buck around on a given year so he's probably not getting a pass from me either.

 

[Brian662]

I think folks are saying they'd rather first legal buck get shot than first high genetic potential 2-4 YO get shot.. Around me, a high genetic potential 3 YO is likely the best buck around on a given year so he's probably not getting a pass from me either.

It is certainly all relative. Everyone's situation is different and everyone's perspective is different, which makes it both fun and frustrating