They continue to impress me

[PatinPA]

What is the biggest management change by a state (in the last 15-20 years) that has had a positive impact on hunting quality?

Indiana moving to one buck only?

Point restriction in PA, easily.

 

[MN Slick]

What is the biggest management change by a state (in the last 15-20 years) that has had a positive impact on hunting quality?

Indiana moving to one buck only?

APR's in MN and MO have been powerful. Sadly, they are gone in both states, BUT, folks have experienced what can be if younger bucks survive, so most folks continue to let bucks get some age. The down side is, the bucks that have the genetics to be giants look too good at 3 and 4 and hit the dirt.

 

[cbw]

While I'm generally a fan of how IA manages, I don't like whitetail hunting enough to deal with the wait, points/tag fees to hunt there as a NR. Can get a good mule deer hunt in a more interesting place for the time and money and not have any concerns with access or finding the right public ground.

Agree. Iowa stinks if you are a non resident. Not worth the wait/cost. Nothing to see here. We can all move along and hunt our own states. ;-)


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[BenAllgood]

Mississippi has different antler spread and main beam requirements depending on what zone you're in.

 

[Howboutthemdawgs]

Agree. Iowa stinks if you are a non resident. Not worth the wait/cost. Nothing to see here. We can all move along and hunt our own states. ;-)


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I agree with that to an extent. It shouldn’t be so easy to hunt another state with one caveat, if you are a landowner in that state as a nonresident. I’ve argued this before that nonresident land owners disproportionately have more skin in the game than a lot of residence.

 

[SwampCat]

AR has had 3 pt on at least one antler restriction since mid 1990’s. Made a huge difference in my area. We still have it, since I am not in a cwd area- yet

 

[letemgrow]

I agree with that to an extent. It shouldn’t be so easy to hunt another state with one caveat, if you are a landowner in that state as a nonresident. I’ve argued this before that nonresident land owners disproportionately have more skin in the game than a lot of residence.

The big issue with IA is the finite amount of huntable land across the state along with the prestigious quality they're known for. If non-residents can buy land and also are guaranteed a tag, it will squeeze out a hoard of resident hunters cause that land will be HIGHLY sought after.

Granted that's how capitalism works, but its a slippery slope in that state compared to some others with the unique dynamics there.

 

[Wind Gypsy]

The big issue with IA is the finite amount of huntable land across the state along with the prestigious quality they're known for. If non-residents can buy land and also are guaranteed a tag, it will squeeze out a hoard of resident hunters cause that land will be HIGHLY sought after.

Granted that's how capitalism works, but its a slippery slope in that state compared to some others with the unique dynamics there.

This is where I lean a little commie. I hate the idea of hunting being a rich man's sport where the average man cant justify doing it anymore. I think we should staunchly protect peoples access to hunt in their home state. I really like Skip Slighs takes on this like most of his other takes.

 

[BenAllgood]

I agree with that to an extent. It shouldn’t be so easy to hunt another state with one caveat, if you are a landowner in that state as a nonresident. I’ve argued this before that nonresident land owners disproportionately have more skin in the game than a lot of residence.

Especially in states where resident landowners can hunt without a license and their state's department is funded almost entirely by licenses. In Kentucky, almost 20% of the annual deer harvest doesn't contribute dollars to the department.

 

[Howboutthemdawgs]

The big issue with IA is the finite amount of huntable land across the state along with the prestigious quality they're known for. If non-residents can buy land and also are guaranteed a tag, it will squeeze out a hoard of resident hunters cause that land will be HIGHLY sought after.

Granted that's how capitalism works, but its a slippery slope in that state compared to some others with the unique dynamics there.

Oh I get it but the law of unintended consequences just pushes that dynamic to other states. Kansas, Wisconsin, Ohio, Illinois, Ky, etc all feel a ripple effect from Iowa making non resident landowners not have hunting access to their ground. Not to mention I’ve yet to find a state that didn’t have a finite amount of huntable land that wasn’t some undesirable, mismanaged block of forest. I think we would all like cheaper land but we also have to deal in reality. It’s disappearing by the thousands of acres monthly across the country. Unfortunately in this reality the ones who value it the most should have it.

I don’t know all the answers and I believe in states rights to manage as they see best. I’m envious of Iowa and Iowa resident landowners for sure. My idea of nonresident landowners (of some scale, can’t go buy 10 acres and reap the rewards) may not be what’s best. I would like to see other states “punish” Iowans who want to come to their state and hunt. Seems like Iowa residents have the best of both worlds right now.

 

[Howboutthemdawgs]

Especially in states where resident landowners can hunt without a license and their state's department is funded almost entirely by licenses. In Kentucky, almost 20% of the annual deer harvest doesn't contribute dollars to the department.

Between my licenses and taxes on my farms I promise I have contributed more than a whole city block in the town by me for a state I spend a couple weeks a year in

 

[Hoytvectrix]

Something I've been thinking about lately is the one buck policy many people suggest really improved hunting in states that adopted it.

Anecdotally, I don't know anyone in Missouri that consistently takes more than one buck per year. Nearly everyone I know that hunts pretty seriously only ever takes one target buck. This got me thinking about how effective this policy would actually be in states with high dear numbers.

I wonder if the one buck policy doesn't result in more trigger discipline earlier in the season ultimately saving some bucks when those people can't connect during the rut or late season? To that point, I wonder if it would be possible to look at harvest rates before and after Indiana implemented the policy.

For those that do hunt in one buck states, do you think this policy is successful because it spares bucks that would unnecessarily be killed otherwise?

 

[Brian662]

Something I've been thinking about lately is the one buck policy many people suggest really improved hunting in states that adopted it.

Anecdotally, I don't know anyone in Missouri that consistently takes more than one buck per year. Nearly everyone I know that hunts pretty seriously only ever takes one target buck. This got me thinking about how effective this policy would actually be in states with high dear numbers.

I wonder if the one buck policy doesn't result in more trigger discipline earlier in the season ultimately saving some bucks when those people can't connect during the rut or late season? To that point, I wonder if it would be possible to look at harvest rates before and after Indiana implemented the policy.

For those that do hunt in one buck states, do you think this policy is successful because it spares bucks that would unnecessarily be killed otherwise?

WI is a two buck state (one gun/muzzle loader and one archery) and it seems like that's been working ok but part of the reason it works is the later gun season. I would be disappointed if WI went to a one buck state but it wouldn't be the end of the world.

MN has to be a one buck state out of necessity due to gun season timing.

One regulation change I'd like to see(it will NEVER happen) is that a crossbow tag for anyone other than the disabled counts towards your gun tag in WI. I'm not sure how it could work within the current season structure though.

 

[Ben.MN/WI]

Most of southeast minnesota now has an unlimited buck harvest with a buck allowed in bow, gun, muzzleloader and as many bonus bucks as you want in the cwd gun season that is going on now.

 

[bwoods11]

Oh I get it but the law of unintended consequences just pushes that dynamic to other states. Kansas, Wisconsin, Ohio, Illinois, Ky, etc all feel a ripple effect from Iowa making non resident landowners not have hunting access to their ground. Not to mention I’ve yet to find a state that didn’t have a finite amount of huntable land that wasn’t some undesirable, mismanaged block of forest. I think we would all like cheaper land but we also have to deal in reality. It’s disappearing by the thousands of acres monthly across the country. Unfortunately in this reality the ones who value it the most should have it.

I don’t know all the answers and I believe in states rights to manage as they see best. I’m envious of Iowa and Iowa resident landowners for sure. My idea of nonresident landowners (of some scale, can’t go buy 10 acres and reap the rewards) may not be what’s best. I would like to see other states “punish” Iowans who want to come to their state and hunt. Seems like Iowa residents have the best of both worlds right now.

You make a great point. If Iowa residents had to wait 4-5 years to hunt another state? I bet they’d not like it all that much .

A lot of Iowa guys “claim” it would be nice to see states restrict tags or lengthen draw times, but I doubt they actually prefer it .

Reciprocity would change the game .

 

[Wind Gypsy]

What percentage of IA residents with 2-3 IA buck tags do you guys think care about what other states do?

 

[SwampCat]

any folks think this population estimate is anywhere close to acurate? Is the hunting something to behold across all of IA - or only decent is a few areas. A lot of the state with ten deer or less per square mile

Iowa DNR releases first county-level deer density report • Iowa Capital Dispatch

Iowa DNR and Iowa State University researchers conducted a county-specific deer population density and economic impact study.

iowacapitaldispatch.com

 

[Howboutthemdawgs]

What percentage of IA residents with 2-3 IA buck tags do you guys think care about what other states do?

Maybe make it all game. Idk, just think 2 can play at this game.

 

[omicron1792]

I’m against one buck per year limits. Maybe because I have grown up without it but man I just like to hunt too much. Much more than only chasing big bucks.

 

[Howboutthemdawgs]

What percentage of IA residents with 2-3 IA buck tags do you guys think care about what other states do?

Am I mistaken that certain western states started reciprocating against Wyoming when they changed their nonresident structure?