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

[bwoods11]

There is an example in Iowa where the buck quality actually went down after going to one buck. Don't hold me to the details, but the Amana Colonies is roughly 26,000 acres of restricted access hunting. Around 20 years ago it was changed from 2 bucks to one buck and the buck quality has gone down. The theory is that one buck has led to more high grading because guys used to shoot the first decent buck, which was often a management buck, then hold our for a hero. Now they are waiting for a great buck, which is often a high potential 3 or 4 year old.

I believe they are going back to 2 bucks tags so it will be interesting to see if the quality returns.

I’m gonna say in some counties (1) buck would make sense, & others (2) maximum would be better… in Iowa .

In Minnesota there are counties that should be a lottery . One buck every 3-4 years. There are not many deer in SW MN period.

 

[Wind Gypsy]

Aspen stands respond quickly to harvest, you'd think this would make for good habitat/stem count for food/cover even with wolves on the landscape? Especially the past few winters where the snow never got real deep.

You'd think, doesn't make good thermal cover though. The family land and surrounding public i used to hunt up there was surrounded by big recent clear cuts that are thick aspen regen. Deer were still hurting. Been a couple years since i've spent time there though.

 

[jsasker007]

I think the habitat is lacking in S.W. MN. Lots of farmland but not many trees. Up North there's lots of trees but not much for crops. Finding a good balance that deer prefer without crazy hunting pressure is a persons' best bet in Minnesota in my opinion. Glory days are gone for the most part for me. It was when we used to get together and hunt with a bunch of family members. Those are the fondest memories and the best times for me. Just memories now as most of the people who participated are gone now. Now I'm just out hunting by myself out my back door. Still love spending the time out in the woods even if it's just me. Would be nice to have someone to share it with though.

 

[sandbur]

I think the habitat is lacking in S.W. MN. Lots of farmland but not many trees. Up North there's lots of trees but not much for crops. Finding a good balance that deer prefer without crazy hunting pressure is a persons' best bet in Minnesota in my opinion. Glory days are gone for the most part for me. It was when we used to get together and hunt with a bunch of family members. Those are the fondest memories and the best times for me. Just memories now as most of the people who participated are gone now. Now I'm just out hunting by myself out my back door. Still love spending the time out in the woods even if it's just me. Would be nice to have someone to share it with though.

My daughter and her boyfriend hunted the first day and each got a deer. After that, it is just my wife and I hunting.

The other day, I was wondering if I had 5 years of hunting left.

It’s not necessarily a priority anymore to shoot a big buck but just to have an enjoyable hunt. Things change with age.