Lack of Big Bucks

[GW11]

There definitely less big deer around. The damaged of too many tags over the years has caught up to us. I'd love to see antler restrictions in Ontario.

I agree with you about the extra tags. We watched the population around here crash for about 2-3 years before the MNR cut way back on additionals. True to form, they were a couple of years late to make a change. That's because their main concern is selling licences, not managing the herd for quality bucks. They didn't want to let go of the extra cash from the extra tags That's also why you'll likely never see an end to party hunting or antler restrictions. Too much potential for a good percentage of hunters to just not bother buying a licence. I appreciate the dedication and effort you guys put into targeting mature bucks each year, but I think you will be on your own when it comes to managing the herd for big bucks.

Most of us up this way are happy to see any deer at all while in the field, and "passing" on anything is rare these days, although I used to years ago when I was certain I would see another deer before season's end. Sure, that sounds backward, but why should a guy that pays for a license like everyone else have to eat tag soup? If he gets one good chance at a deer in a season, he'll take it. That's what some of you see as a "brown and down" mentality but I can tell you firsthand that shooting a doe, fawn or yearling buck when numbers are low and sightings are few is just as rewarding as shooting a trophy buck.

[Hunter John]

Those big dudes you are trying to get photos of pick up your sent every time you go in to check th
e cameras and will likely avoid the area until well after dark. They did not get to 4 + years of age by being stupid. I have pushed enough deer drives to realize that the big boys almost never run out to get shot. They either sit tight and let the doggers walk past or they circle bdtween the drivers and many sneak away at the first sound of a truck door closing.
The situation some of you guys are wishing for is rediculous unless you are willing to buy a 1000 plus acres and manage it properly and thats no easy feet in itself. Yes I agree the mnr does not do a great job manging our resources but to say we need antler restrictions is full on stupidity. Please remember most folks hunt to put meat in the freezer and to have some fun outdoors, if you dont want to shoot a "milking" doe" or a young buck then by all means pass them up.
You are free to pass all the deer you want while waiting for that 6.5 year old buck but dont tell others why they need to share your elitist attitude so you can have a better opportunity at a trophy.

[LowbanksArcher]

Those big dudes you are trying to get photos of pick up your sent every time you go in to check th
e cameras and will likely avoid the area until well after dark. They did not get to 4 + years of age by being stupid. I have pushed enough deer drives to realize that the big boys almost never run out to get shot. They either sit tight and let the doggers walk past or they circle bdtween the drivers and many sneak away at the first sound of a truck door closing.
The situation some of you guys are wishing for is rediculous unless you are willing to buy a 1000 plus acres and manage it properly and thats no easy feet in itself. Yes I agree the mnr does not do a great job manging our resources but to say we need antler restrictions is full on stupidity. Please remember most folks hunt to put meat in the freezer and to have some fun outdoors, if you dont want to shoot a "milking" doe" or a young buck then by all means pass them up.
You are free to pass all the deer you want while waiting for that 6.5 year old buck but dont tell others why they need to share your elitist attitude so you can have a better opportunity at a trophy.

Ok, I'll bite. Trail cams are hung high(see my attached video earlier) wearing gloves. There is no checking of trail cams during or in the few weeks leading up to deer season. They come down during a good rainfall before the controlled weeks start so they don't get stolen, if possible. I made no suggestion of antler restrictions. I believe werner brought that up as I was too 'afraid' to. Although I will not deny that I would support it. Sorry, but that's just the case. I actually thought i've been doing a good job at suppressing my "elitist" attitude. Have just been looking to here some opinions on what people thought could be done to improve the age ratios in our deer herd. But from the sounds of it, everything is hunky dory and I just need to look harder. Cheers

[pbonura]

Those big dudes you are trying to get photos of pick up your sent every time you go in to check th
e cameras and will likely avoid the area until well after dark. They did not get to 4 + years of age by being stupid. I have pushed enough deer drives to realize that the big boys almost never run out to get shot. They either sit tight and let the doggers walk past or they circle bdtween the drivers and many sneak away at the first sound of a truck door closing.
The situation some of you guys are wishing for is rediculous unless you are willing to buy a 1000 plus acres and manage it properly and thats no easy feet in itself. Yes I agree the mnr does not do a great job manging our resources but to say we need antler restrictions is full on stupidity. Please remember most folks hunt to put meat in the freezer and to have some fun outdoors, if you dont want to shoot a "milking" doe" or a young buck then by all means pass them up.
You are free to pass all the deer you want while waiting for that 6.5 year old buck but dont tell others why they need to share your elitist attitude so you can have a better opportunity at a trophy.

Have it agree with him. Deer hunting in the south in about having fun and putting version in the freezer. Cameras are ok but to many guys check them and the deer get turned off. I have a doe or buck tag and shot a small fork buck and doe about 10 days into the season and followed up in another wmu with a young 6 pointer in the gun hunt. All three are trophies to me and good eating.

[Ravenhunter]

Don't feel like I was being "Elitest" Just passing along my thoughts and feelings. I never have or will pass judgment on what another hunter decides to shoot. That being said don't judge me beause I choose to not shoot a young deer or for that matter a mature doe.

[Sudsee]

Growing up learning how to hunt my father always told me shoot the one that makes you happy. That's how I feel it should be for everybody. And for everybody this means something different. In my early years any buck that walked in front of me made me happy. Now a days I have seen so many good deer out there I find it hard to shoot a young one when I know what possibilities lie just inside the bush line. If I shoot that young buck I see on the first couple sits how will I know what the property may have offered up. Also I like the process of hunting more than anything and why would I deny myself time in the stand. This year as I said there are far fewer good bucks in my area and I will most likely opt to shoot a mature lone doe if I get the opportunity the rest of the year.