Big bucks…….your input is encouraged

I don’t mean to add fuel to the ever burning fire but I feel we (Wisconsin) should follow suit with Mississippi and Arkansas by doing QDM or something similiar statewide. If not statewide at least county wide. I live and hunt in Clark county where there is alot of hunting pressure. And yes we do the old fashioned deer drives but it just doesn’t seem to be enough. Alot of my friends and family practice QDM and it seem to help but there is too much county land surrounding everything. Anything that crosses the fence or field edge gets blasted. In all honesty we had two deer shot by trespassers out of our field not far from the cabin this year. I feel if a good managment program is put into place it would put an end to some of this. Because then everybody would have an equal chance at a throphy buck. Don’t take me the wrong way though, I am not a strictly a throphy hunter. I have shot plenty of small bucks back when I started hunting and I still feel that beginers should be able to shoot anything that makes them happy. But after you get a buck under your belt you are always looking for bigger, so I don’t see where it would turn off young hunters. Granted the hunting would not be the greatest for the first couple of years but after that just imagine some of the deer that would come out of this great state of ours. Wisconsin is currently ranked 3rd for producing B&C bucks, with a little help we could be #1!! Think what it would do for the states economy, increased lisense sales in and out of state, lodging, food, gas, ect……the list goes on. I am posting this because I was on a couple of other forums and meet people from wisconsin that feel the same way. Just wondering how many of you hunters out there feel the same way my friends, family, and I do?? Please post feedback, either for or against, and your reasoning. I would like to hear both sides, but please keep it civilized we are all adults!! THANKS

I am not really a big fan of qdm because of what it is doing to our deer population. remember qdm is harvesting 1 doe per 10 acres or at least 100 acres…people around here will not harvest does because then they wont give birth to what could be a monster, if their are less does around during the rut the big boys will move more 2, so you will have better chances at them…plus the hunters need to shoot management bucks to a lot of big boys around here are 8 ptrs and they are nice bucks but its hard for an eight to reach boone status…if qdm is practiced right instead of just takin big bucks that would work out a lot better and give better result…then i wouldnt mind it

I am not really a big fan of qdm because of what it is doing to our deer population. remember qdm is harvesting 1 doe per 10 acres or at least 100 acres…people around here will not harvest does because then they wont give birth to what could be a monster, if their are less does around during the rut the big boys will move more 2, so you will have better chances at them…plus the hunters need to shoot management bucks to a lot of big boys around here are 8 ptrs and they are nice bucks but its hard for an eight to reach boone status…if qdm is practiced right instead of just takin big bucks that would work out a lot better and give better result…then i wouldnt mind it

Why should “everyone have an equal chance at a trophy buck”? If everyone is shooting 170 class bucks what becomes a trophy. How about having “Boone and Crockett” and “Pope and Young” set up new categories for bucks shot in QDM areas? At one time, the entry of an animal into one of the record books was a recognition of hunter accomplishment not herd management. I also have hunted Clark county in WI and if I were to shoot a decent 130’s class buck there, it would mean a hell of a lot more to me than if I were to shoot a 170’s class buck in Buffalo county. I have hunted (shotgun, archery, muzzleloader rifle, muzzleloader pistol, and centerfire revolver) for deer for the past 25 years and have yet to shoot a “trophy” buck, but every deer(35) I have shot has been an accomplishment to me. I am not against QDM entirely but I feel it best be applied by landowners and private wildlife managers not the state.

I recently read that having an antler point restriction in an area of one of those states has actually had a detrimental effect on mature buck populations as the 8 and 10 point 2 1/2 year old bucks were being shot more frequently thereby reducing the population of mature bucks. I’ll try to find the article and post it.

Why should “everyone have an equal chance at a trophy buck”? If everyone is shooting 170 class bucks what becomes a trophy. How about having “Boone and Crockett” and “Pope and Young” set up new categories for bucks shot in QDM areas? At one time, the entry of an animal into one of the record books was a recognition of hunter accomplishment not herd management. I also have hunted Clark county in WI and if I were to shoot a decent 130’s class buck there, it would mean a hell of a lot more to me than if I were to shoot a 170’s class buck in Buffalo county. I have hunted (shotgun, archery, muzzleloader rifle, muzzleloader pistol, and centerfire revolver) for deer for the past 25 years and have yet to shoot a “trophy” buck, but every deer(35) I have shot has been an accomplishment to me. I am not against QDM entirely but I feel it best be applied by landowners and private wildlife managers not the state.

I recently read that having an antler point restriction in an area of one of those states has actually had a detrimental effect on mature buck populations as the 8 and 10 point 2 1/2 year old bucks were being shot more frequently thereby reducing the population of mature bucks. I’ll try to find the article and post it.

Wisoncsin has had talk about a earn a buck program, where you would have to shoot a doe inorder to be able to shoot a buck. Which might help out on the population. But if you shoot a 170 class buck here, you better be one happy son of a gun in buffalo county because that is pretty rare. Guys that consistantly shoot deer Pope and Young and above say that they have never, or maybe a couple of times seen that boone and crocket in the woods while they are hunting. Like somebody said before it is your hunting knowledge, but then it is also being at the right spot at the right time.

Wisoncsin has had talk about a earn a buck program, where you would have to shoot a doe inorder to be able to shoot a buck. Which might help out on the population. But if you shoot a 170 class buck here, you better be one happy son of a gun in buffalo county because that is pretty rare. Guys that consistantly shoot deer Pope and Young and above say that they have never, or maybe a couple of times seen that boone and crocket in the woods while they are hunting. Like somebody said before it is your hunting knowledge, but then it is also being at the right spot at the right time.

Earn a Buck, what a set up for wanton waste.

Who consistently shoots pope and young deer? Hmmm, Buffalo County, WI was the #1 county in the nation for “Boone and Crockett” and “Pope and Young” entries from 1991-2000 and I believe still is.

QDM works for producing large antlered deer, no question about it. The question is, should the “government” manage the deer herds for the enjoyment of all, or for the enjoyment of “trophy shooters”? I say manage for the enjoyment of all (herd population based on the carrying capacity of the managed area) and let the “trophy hunters” hunt for their trophies.

Earn a Buck, what a set up for wanton waste.

Who consistently shoots pope and young deer? Hmmm, Buffalo County, WI was the #1 county in the nation for “Boone and Crockett” and “Pope and Young” entries from 1991-2000 and I believe still is.

QDM works for producing large antlered deer, no question about it. The question is, should the “government” manage the deer herds for the enjoyment of all, or for the enjoyment of “trophy shooters”? I say manage for the enjoyment of all (herd population based on the carrying capacity of the managed area) and let the “trophy hunters” hunt for their trophies.

How is that a setup for wanton waste? It makes sense to me. The only thing is that outfitters are exempt i hear, so that causes a problem for me because i feel thomas indrebo should be treated just as equally as everyone else. Right around the area where I hunt it happens to be that the population is very balanced. I saw just as many does this year as i did bucks, and we always shoot at least a couple does a year. That, and there aren’t as many deer in our tiny local area, but if you jump over to Tell, Waumandee, Cream, which are all less than 15 miles from my house…the population of deer out there is herendous! Then at conservation meetings in the spring someone will always argue that the deer herd is too small, boggles my mind i tell ya…

How is that a setup for wanton waste? It makes sense to me. The only thing is that outfitters are exempt i hear, so that causes a problem for me because i feel thomas indrebo should be treated just as equally as everyone else. Right around the area where I hunt it happens to be that the population is very balanced. I saw just as many does this year as i did bucks, and we always shoot at least a couple does a year. That, and there aren’t as many deer in our tiny local area, but if you jump over to Tell, Waumandee, Cream, which are all less than 15 miles from my house…the population of deer out there is herendous! Then at conservation meetings in the spring someone will always argue that the deer herd is too small, boggles my mind i tell ya…

Having grown up on a farm and hunted in Clark County near Owen for the past 20 years (still return there for gun season) has been fun. It definitely has the genetics and nutrition to grow large bucks. But if Wisconsin went to a mandatory state wide QDM it may inadvertently raise land values beyond the high prices they already are (look at Buffalo County). If Wisconsin became a land of big bucks only, alot of wealthy out of staters would definitely start buying any available farm land. This also may raise property taxes for the small independent farmers who have hard enough time keeping the farm afloat (this is an ongoing problem in Buffalo county). These farmers are also the one’s who give us that don’t have property the opportunity to hunt. Some farmers have already offset the cost of high taxes by leasing their property. I’ve been looking for property for the past year and am a little dissapointed in the high costs, even in Owen where the economy and standard of living cost less. QDM does work and should be left to those who want to utilize and manage thier property for big bucks. As the gentlmen from SE MN indicated, I would rather shoot a 130 class buck in Clark county than a 170 class QDM buck, although a 170 would be nice. If I do purchase land I would put it into QDM, but that is my choice. Great forum.

Having grown up on a farm and hunted in Clark County near Owen for the past 20 years (still return there for gun season) has been fun. It definitely has the genetics and nutrition to grow large bucks. But if Wisconsin went to a mandatory state wide QDM it may inadvertently raise land values beyond the high prices they already are (look at Buffalo County). If Wisconsin became a land of big bucks only, alot of wealthy out of staters would definitely start buying any available farm land. This also may raise property taxes for the small independent farmers who have hard enough time keeping the farm afloat (this is an ongoing problem in Buffalo county). These farmers are also the one’s who give us that don’t have property the opportunity to hunt. Some farmers have already offset the cost of high taxes by leasing their property. I’ve been looking for property for the past year and am a little dissapointed in the high costs, even in Owen where the economy and standard of living cost less. QDM does work and should be left to those who want to utilize and manage thier property for big bucks. As the gentlmen from SE MN indicated, I would rather shoot a 130 class buck in Clark county than a 170 class QDM buck, although a 170 would be nice. If I do purchase land I would put it into QDM, but that is my choice. Great forum.

One more tidbit, not all hunters hunt for large bucks. Putting venison in the freezer and spending time with family may be the first and formost important part of deer season. A big buck is just icing on the cake.

One more tidbit, not all hunters hunt for large bucks. Putting venison in the freezer and spending time with family may be the first and formost important part of deer season. A big buck is just icing on the cake.

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One more tidbit, not all hunters hunt for large bucks. Putting venison in the freezer and spending time with family may be the first and formost important part of deer season. A big buck is just icing on the cake.

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Well said mo_fishn-n-hunting …I still practice QDM but thats what deer hunting is about….

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One more tidbit, not all hunters hunt for large bucks. Putting venison in the freezer and spending time with family may be the first and formost important part of deer season. A big buck is just icing on the cake.

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Well said mo_fishn-n-hunting …I still practice QDM but thats what deer hunting is about….

I agree totally. And would not miss a hunt with the family for anything. Some of the greatest memories to date came from hunting with friends and family. I also have no problem with putting venison in the freezer, but if you don’t have a shot at big nice buck why not take a doe?

I agree totally. And would not miss a hunt with the family for anything. Some of the greatest memories to date came from hunting with friends and family. I also have no problem with putting venison in the freezer, but if you don’t have a shot at big nice buck why not take a doe?

The only thing I don’t like about the earn-a-buck is what kind of program is going to be put into place so the same doe isn’t registered a dozen times??

The only thing I don’t like about the earn-a-buck is what kind of program is going to be put into place so the same doe isn’t registered a dozen times??

mo fishin, exactly what i said about the small buffalo county farmers and prices going up well put. I never said people should practice QDM but by me saying it, that is what i believe in and that is what I practice. Not all people agree with it and that is just fine, heck my dad and brother don’t agree, so fine it is their choice, shoot what makes you happy!!!

mo fishin, exactly what i said about the small buffalo county farmers and prices going up well put. I never said people should practice QDM but by me saying it, that is what i believe in and that is what I practice. Not all people agree with it and that is just fine, heck my dad and brother don’t agree, so fine it is their choice, shoot what makes you happy!!!

HAfuDa, Nothing, you know there are always going to be people that bend the rules, and people that break the rules that is just how everything is. That is what our country is based on freedom, just some people pay for the choices they make like everything. There is a speed limit right? Not all people obey it, Therefore there is a consequence, it would be hard to regulate the doe being registered how many times, but if they really want to do it that bad, then they have to live with that decision themselves.

HAfuDa, Nothing, you know there are always going to be people that bend the rules, and people that break the rules that is just how everything is. That is what our country is based on freedom, just some people pay for the choices they make like everything. There is a speed limit right? Not all people obey it, Therefore there is a consequence, it would be hard to regulate the doe being registered how many times, but if they really want to do it that bad, then they have to live with that decision themselves.

In our small party, the size of deer has never REALLY been an issue. We hunt in a small immediate family party with a few friends of the family that have always hunted with us. We sit opening weekend with some people moving around limitedly. We always have a campfire and bring lots of food, and everyone always comes to the fire about noon and has stories from the morning and its a relaxing weekend. Starting wednesday we drive…and drive, and drive and drive. Sometimes we move deer and sometimes we don’t, but we always are together. We never persecute someone for the size of the deer they shoot. First year and young hunters can shoot whatever they choose. Sometimes someone will accidentally take a small buck that came flying through on a drive…IT HAPPENS. We never get mad at them or swear at them. What we might do is give them some crap when we see them next like, “Hey, here comes the mighty buck hunter” but that’s all in good fun. If we have someone that gets mad about someone shooting a small one, they are not invited back to hunt with us. We encourage each other to shoot nice deer, and it’s exciting if someone does, but if it’s one thing I don’t need, it’s someone that is going to get upset about the petty little things and ruin MY FALL HOLIDAY.

QDM was developed to let the 1 1/2 year old deer get a chance to develop. You could shoot all the 2 1/2 year old deer you want no matter what size, and the population would never be affected. What other people shoot is their business, what i don’t want is someone else telling me what deer i can and can’t shoot and i think that goes without saying for everyone.

In our small party, the size of deer has never REALLY been an issue. We hunt in a small immediate family party with a few friends of the family that have always hunted with us. We sit opening weekend with some people moving around limitedly. We always have a campfire and bring lots of food, and everyone always comes to the fire about noon and has stories from the morning and its a relaxing weekend. Starting wednesday we drive…and drive, and drive and drive. Sometimes we move deer and sometimes we don’t, but we always are together. We never persecute someone for the size of the deer they shoot. First year and young hunters can shoot whatever they choose. Sometimes someone will accidentally take a small buck that came flying through on a drive…IT HAPPENS. We never get mad at them or swear at them. What we might do is give them some crap when we see them next like, “Hey, here comes the mighty buck hunter” but that’s all in good fun. If we have someone that gets mad about someone shooting a small one, they are not invited back to hunt with us. We encourage each other to shoot nice deer, and it’s exciting if someone does, but if it’s one thing I don’t need, it’s someone that is going to get upset about the petty little things and ruin MY FALL HOLIDAY.

QDM was developed to let the 1 1/2 year old deer get a chance to develop. You could shoot all the 2 1/2 year old deer you want no matter what size, and the population would never be affected. What other people shoot is their business, what i don’t want is someone else telling me what deer i can and can’t shoot and i think that goes without saying for everyone.

Pete,
I would like to know how you can say that an area 15 miles away from you in any direction has a horrendous deer population? Have you done some research or is this just anecdotal evidence? I happen to hunt two of those areas that you claim have the huge deer populations and I have to disagree with you emphatically. The deer population has been going down steadily in the last 5 years to a point where the herd is very balanced but no where ner what it used to be especially with all the trophy leases that are actually nothing more than sanctuaries. This may or may not be the best thing IMHO. What makes Alma and Prague so different than Cream and Tell anyway? I am interested in hearing back about this.

Pete,
I would like to know how you can say that an area 15 miles away from you in any direction has a horrendous deer population? Have you done some research or is this just anecdotal evidence? I happen to hunt two of those areas that you claim have the huge deer populations and I have to disagree with you emphatically. The deer population has been going down steadily in the last 5 years to a point where the herd is very balanced but no where ner what it used to be especially with all the trophy leases that are actually nothing more than sanctuaries. This may or may not be the best thing IMHO. What makes Alma and Prague so different than Cream and Tell anyway? I am interested in hearing back about this.

Guys im from Iowa and im seeing this totally from an outsiders point of view not living there. I’ve never heard of buffalo conuties deer until recently from this site. We’ve got big deer down here too and everyones after them for wallhangers because thier impressive to look at and thier very smart and hard to get. Guys who hunt just for the table go to where they’ve heard the highest counts are or to where they know there are decent numbers in herds to fill thier tags. We’ve got alot of hunters down here too and the guys that shoot bigger bucks usually do thier homework or just get lucky. Im for quality deer management only if there gets to be an unbalanced herd of over population of does too keep disease, crop damage or whatever down. I hunt a few diffrent areas and i see the deer come and go and i do my homework remembering where and when i see the bigger bucks, not scores of them but a few braggers and i know a guys lucky if he shoots a big one. My thoughts are this, decesions is these counties to balance herd populations are a must. To balance herds so a few more hunters see a few bigger bucks isn’t a bad idea per county but your going to have to get everybody to realize that its taking of does only to bring up the population of bucks and to keep it constant, just like walleyes. Too me it all comes down to the hunter, Is the county he’s hunting have enough bigger bucks or should a doe be taken to try to raise the population of bucks in the next few years. Mans hand comes into play here in making a decesion on what to shoot just like the dnr would do if more and bigger bucks were desired. If theres a desire to get a wallhanger than take a doe in these counties to let the bucks get bigger if theres not enough of them. I”d have to pass on the smaller bucks in hopes for a bigger one this year or maybe it would have to be next year. I know the real braggers are the smart ones that everyones been after but can’t find them, let alone the ones that are rearely seen at all. To me its up to the hunters, to make the decision to pass in hopes that he’ll see him next year or two and take a doe or tell the dnr to try to raise the quota on does to let the bucks get bigger. A decesion has to be made to let the smaller bucks get bigger and older if theres more hunting pressure in one area more than another. Im just like everybody else and look for those out of the way places where no one has hunted for a long time but thier hard to find because of other fellow hunters. I select harvest bucks only if thier big enough for me. I know other guys who do this knowing that the smaller ones will be impressive and alot smarter in the next few years. Every area has thier older and very smart bucks, those are the ones im after because i know im going to be lucky to get him and don’t worry to much about anyone else getting him eigther because thier smart and have learned what keeps them away from danger. I’ve got just as good of a chance to get him as the other guy if im doing things right and have done my homework. To drive hunt for deer and expect to shoot quite a few bigger bucks is in a reserve where real control of the herd is monitored yearly. Im after the bigger older bucks that aren’t protected from anything but disease and over population by the dnr. I like to keep things left up to me and left alone as much as possible by the dnr, they’ve got alot to do too. I make the selection on the size or kind of deer i’ll take to keep a few real trophies around too. This is what other hunters and myself think down here and it seems to be working. I live in a metro area of 175,000 people, 225,000 within 25 miles of me.