Wow, never realized this was going on until I just read this post. I've followed some of the EHD posts and comments from Justin over the past few years. It's a bit discouraging as a new guy to the area that's hoping for a chance at a mature midwest buck at some point in the next few years......
I don't see much change coming in reducing permits issued. I also think any reduction in permits will mean an increase in permit cost. Illinois needs all the money it can get.
The State of Illinois doesn't even take care of its retired employees...........they wont worry about the deer herd
IMO it's not the State's responsibility to take care of retired workers. There's this little thing called "personal responsibility", have you heard of it? But alas, I digress. Our pension problems are far worse than our deer problems and this is a bowhunting forum. Back on topic... I still stand by my claim that our deer numbers were so inflated for so long that our idea of "normal" is a bit skewed. While things aren't as great as they once were I believe they're still far from dismal and there are still good opportunities to shoot deer, and big bucks at that, in Illinois. You just have to work a little bit harder for them. Perhaps hunting late season with a crossbow will make it easier?
Yeah I have heard of it........responsibility........what Illinois wasn't with its workers pension funds Wasn't trying to change topic.............just referencing how the state handles problems Cross bows are to lethal.........perhaps late season slingshot season would save a few deer
Well I also hunt in Indiana and I am definitly alot pickier about the buck I shoot over there since I only get one. I would be fine with a OBR here in Illinois and I would also like to see them get rid of the late season antlerless for 2-3 years. The problem with IL is they have a terrible track record of actually doing what is right. I am not holding my breath to wait for change. If I had to guess it will get even worse before they make an actual real effort to make it better.
Make it one buck and one doe for a couple years. I see nothing wrong with that. Most out of state hunters around here only show up for a week anyway. One buck and one doe would be plenty for a week hunt if you ask me.
Justin has made some great points. The biggest being taking personal responsibility. When do you stop blaming the DNR or whoever else for what's been a decline in the deer herd and start looking at the pereon in the mirror. Also think he's right about the high numbers we've been seeing as skewed the perception of what normal is. If you look at what was a record number in 2005 which was 201, 209 total and 123, 792 for firearm and compare that to last year the total was 180, 811 and 99, 546 for firearm. Within that time period the permits issued in 2005 were 570, 811 total and 329, 940 firearm compared to 634, 166 total and 359, 265 firearm in 2012. So are those number significant compared to the seven years before, idk the DNR website doesn't go back that far where I looked. And I picked 2012 because that's the last year a final report was listed. You can blame how many perits issued all you want but that's not making peolle shoot the deer, namely the people who are now complaining about a drop in population. Not pointing figers at anyone because I can include myself in this bit up until this year when numbers where down how much discussion was there really about how we need better management. To me its like the guys you hear complain there's no big bucks but in years past shot whatever walked by. Its not only the DNR's responsibility to manage the dee herd, its also everyone who walks into the woods and hunts. yea I'm sure there is disease that plays in as well but like some of the things I've seen said about the sharpshooters taking hundreds of deer in one county I'm sure the 80 some odd deer that somebody said was found on two neighboring farms is a little blown up. But idk maybe its not.
The other thing to look at is are the havest numbers a accurate representation of actual deer population. You back back to 2005 where it was at the highest, what percentage of that number was to the total population. If it was higher than 50% does the herd rebound that high in a year and then then next year another high percentage of the population is killed does it continue to rebound or is it a domino effect that's dragging down the actual population and that's what we're seeing now. I eont know and don't really know if any of what I mentioned even makes sense. But its hard for me to believe that all the blame can be put on one thing and not the other. Like in what seems to be the popular answer that there have been too many permits issued and none on the people buying those permits. Me personally in the last three years that I've been more serious about hunting I've bought 13 tags and only tagged 4 deer. This year for instance my buddy who's farm I hunt bought 8 tags and tagged one. So again how accurate are those numbers
Yes people don't have to several deer per year ......... But on the same hand Illinois doesn't have to make permits available to do so Illinois has pushed for greater and greater deer harvest . Numerous permits.........late season hunts. The motto is/was "I took a doe so the herd wont grow " . They have succeeded. Its time for a new motto. I don't mean to imply its entirely the fault of IDNR . I believe it is the State of Illinois Govt . Illinois can not pay its bills .....Illinois is broke. Deer hunting revenue is a source of income to a state that needs all the income it can get . More permits equals more money . IF permits are reduced I wouldn't be shocked if permit price increased. IDNR has lost funding from hunting revenue for years. Illinois takes the money and spends it elsewhere . Look at our state parks..... most are understaffed and most under maintained. I may be wrong but isn't that where revenue from hunting is to be spent ? Take Jim Edgar panther creek for example. Look at the thousand of acres of farm land the state receives income from. Think any of that money(or much ) is put back into the park ? One would think that the farm income could almost totally fund Jim Edgar. To continue on... .how do you think Jim Edgar was acquired ?? At that time revenue from hunting had been set aside for purchasing land . Governor Jim Edgar had the for sight to purchase the old Site M property from Com Ed. I hardly think any funds are available today to do so My point is that Illinois govt is seeing deer hunting as a source of revenue. Much needed revenue.
That pretty much sums it up. I would question though how many of the people complaining about not having any deer would be the same complaining if the price was raised or they cut the number issued and didn't get one or as many as before. My point is I don't think drastic changes should be made because of one year that's not over yet. Granted there won't be a huge spike from now until the end of season but it may not end up as bad as it seems when the totals come out. And like somebody said earlier, think JZ, the higher numbers from past years may not have neen normal either.
sad to say but probably as many complaints It will be interesting to see next years harvest numbers. personally I think they will be down again . I could be wrong . Its just what I think. Was just sitting here thinking........we have been fortunate enough to hunt the peak of Illinois deer hunting. I remember back in the late 70's and early 80's when seeing a deer around here was really something. I recall stories from guys who say that they hunted years ago when you were excited to see a track Also recall stories of when there were no deer and how they were introduced to the area Guess we have been spoiled
Yea I wasn't around at those times but I too have definitely heard the stories of seeing a deer to really be rare. It will be interesting and I agree it will probably be down, I just hope that any changes made are done because they actually took the time to justify those changes. It seems its definitely something that needs to be looked at and discussed, hopefully with people that actually know something.
We are no where near the WI line here in Grundy country and the sharpshooters absolutely destroyed the deer herd in this area.
I went with the ML Saturday morning and evening, Sunday morning and evening. Saw 0 and the only shots heard were mine, when I unloaded at the end of the day.
