j-bird
Moderator
Well the Indiana DNR published the antlerless quotas for this coming hunting season. They adjusted only 9 of a possible 92 counties - and one of the adjustments they made INCREASED the quota. Like other states across the mid-west IN has seen it's harvest totals fall over the past 2 season after record level harvests. The 2014 total was ~12% below the record set in 2012.
Many hunters are reporting seeing fewer and fewer deer and many of those hunters are expecting the DNR to take action. Well, with the release of these new quotas - it is pretty clear that the DNR still wants even further reductions. With 90% of the counties remaining the same as the previous year we can only expect a very similar result (another decline of approx 6% of the total harvest or maybe more). The DNR only reduced the quota in 8 counties and 6 of those where reduced by just a single deer. 60 of the 92 counties will still participate in a special late season antlerless firearms season for further herd reduction.
It's time for hunters to realize the power they have and lay off the trigger if they choose to have more deer. I am all for keeping the deer population in balance with the habitat conditions, but just because the DNR will allow a hunter to take up to a dozen deer doesn't mean they should! The DNR doesn't seem to be willing to share the "goal" or their methods with the hunting public either. They continue to manage based on what appears to be a lack of data and influence from outside the hunting community. The desire for even fewer deer is apparent - they are going to continue down this path of reduction in the 5 to 10% rate until they reach their goal - whatever that may be. Where will that put the amount of deer where you hunt?
Many hunters are reporting seeing fewer and fewer deer and many of those hunters are expecting the DNR to take action. Well, with the release of these new quotas - it is pretty clear that the DNR still wants even further reductions. With 90% of the counties remaining the same as the previous year we can only expect a very similar result (another decline of approx 6% of the total harvest or maybe more). The DNR only reduced the quota in 8 counties and 6 of those where reduced by just a single deer. 60 of the 92 counties will still participate in a special late season antlerless firearms season for further herd reduction.
It's time for hunters to realize the power they have and lay off the trigger if they choose to have more deer. I am all for keeping the deer population in balance with the habitat conditions, but just because the DNR will allow a hunter to take up to a dozen deer doesn't mean they should! The DNR doesn't seem to be willing to share the "goal" or their methods with the hunting public either. They continue to manage based on what appears to be a lack of data and influence from outside the hunting community. The desire for even fewer deer is apparent - they are going to continue down this path of reduction in the 5 to 10% rate until they reach their goal - whatever that may be. Where will that put the amount of deer where you hunt?