How many hunters are in Michigan?
Make sure that you post your comments, or login into the forums... Shoot straight... Michigan is the heaviest hunted state in the country, but due to lack of buck restrictions Michigan has one the lowest trophy buck harvest rates. I have talked to a lot of people that are trying to do some local QDM, by passing on the year and a half old bucks to see if they will make it another year. If the state were to impose a 4 point or better on one side, that would force us to take deer that are at least 2 and a half years old. A friend told me to shoot a doe before you whack a little guy.
Click on the poll below to let me know how you feel…
Hello to all,
I am new here. I would appreciate any help to get to the right places on any forums. I live in Leelanau County and have the priviledge of QDM…let me tell you..it works!!! We all know that Michigan’s deer hunting has been in trouble for years. I have been to many DNR meetings and it seems like the hunters are talking to the wind. Next year Michigan will be getting a new governor. I am looking for input to get a large enough organization of people to have our new governor make the 9 commissioner positions on the DNR an elected position instead of 9 bureaucrats that are being controlled by lobbyists from the insurance companies instead of listening to what Michigan sportsmen want. The only way we will get anywhere is if they realize we are after their job. Please give me as much input as you possibly can (either here or email me).
Now that I have a little more time, I would like to go a little deeper. For those that have never witnessed what QDM does…I will try to expand. As a veteran bow hunter for over 35 years, I have sat hundreds of hours in Leelanau County trying to see even one horned deer. The last couple of years, now that the QDM has been in place for 6, I have seen several deer that would score over 130-150. Yet, I am still seeing year and a half old bucks that are still legal, 2 and a half year olds, 3 and a half year olds and older. For those that would like to just shot any buck, there is a lot to chose from. For those that want to trophy hunt, there are some to chose from. It doesn’t just single out trophy hunting. Now.. how the article started, neighboring counties have seen what QDM has done for ours and want to join and have been fighting those commissioners for years to implement QDM into their county with no success. States that have only one buck rule can get away with no QDM because it manages itself. But with the Michigan muligan in your back pocket, people are shooting small bucks and then waiting for another. In an area that has a buck to doe ratio of 5-1, a person that shoots 2 bucks in one area means that 10 does have to be shot. Think about that. Even trying to maintain 5-1,( which is terrible) is tough. People in our area were against it at first. But after seeing what it does for deer hunting in general, it is voted in permanently. Most all neighboring states have great deer hunting with a one buck rule because it is easier to keep the buck to doe ratio in balance, Plus most hunters don’t want to be done after shooting a small buck..But they can if that’s all they have seen.. In the last few years, the car deer accidents have decreased significantly. Has your auto insurance gone down? No! It is all about money. If the DNR need more funds and they are worried about selling licenses, raise the license fee and have a better herd. More deer is not always a better herd; a proper buck to doe ratio is. With a 2 buck rule, it is very hard to keep the herd in balance. People just don’t want to shoot does when they have a buck tag. I appreciate all the feedback. Brian