I am originally from La Crescent Minnesota, which is located in the southeastern corner. In the last year, the DNR has implemented a regulation now that prevents hunters from shooting a buck unless it has four score-able points on one side and that you are not allowed to shoot a buck for someone else. Kids that are between the ages of 14 to 16 are allowed to shoot any size buck regardless the number of points. This means that if the deer was a four pointer and doesn’t have the four points on one side, it is not legal to shoot. The reasoning behind this new regulation is to promote ethical hunting, to increase the antler size in the area, to make this region a trophy buck area, promote shooting of does or what is considered an “antlerless deer”, and help protect the younger bucks from getting shot. Not to mention that this would promote healthy genetics in the deer herd. The regulation that doesn’t allow a hunter to shoot or fill another hunter’s buck tag is supposed to help out the buck numbers by increasing the odds that a buck doesn’t get shot. Many people refer to this style of hunting as party hunting. This new regulation does not mean that someone can’t fill another hunters tag with an antlerless deer though. The DNR plans to run this regulation for five years, look at the results, and post a survey/hearing to the public to see if this regulation should be put in place for another five years and also to see if this regulation should be implemented to other areas in the state.
The reason why I brought up this topic is because right now it is a pretty hot subject in the southeastern corner of Minnesota. When I first heard of the new regulation, I was kind of upset because I am not an antler or points hunter. I hunt for food and need to put meat in the freezer for my family and if a young buck walks in front of me, my instinct is to shoot it and not let it pass. Many hunters are upset with this new regulation and think that it just a way for the Minnesota DNR to make themselves look good. I know for a fact that many hunters around the area shot illegal bucks and just took the back-straps and hind quarters out of the young buck and left the rest lay to waste. This upsets me greatly because these hunters are upset that new regulations that are put into place and think that these regulations will never work. These hunters make it impossible for the new regulations to work if they don’t follow them and they make hunters all over the area look bad.
I do understand that hunting now days consists of hunters that hunt for the bone on top of a deer. By this I mean that hunters hunt for the big bucks. Party hunting is a big thing where I live as well, and with the new regulation that you cannot fill another hunters buck tag, kind of upset a lot of hunters. I feel that many hunters are or were upset right away, mainly because it is the first year this regulation has been implemented and they are not used to change. But I feel that most if not all of these hunters will come around and see potentially that the deer will get bigger and healthier; provided that hunters follow the rules and regulations. I personally came around to accepting the rule because I feel that with this regulation, it makes you sit longer which allows you to see more deer. I saw more deer the first year the new regulation was put into place than I have any other year. To me that just proved that the DNR are on the right track and should be taken seriously.
3 comments:
I believe antler point restrictions are definitely beneficial. It has been a critical component in maintaining quality elk in the rockies for years. It will definitely improve the oppurtunity for larger deer, but it will take time. The downside to this, is that it may potentially effect hunter participation. But just like everything else in natural resource management, decisions have to be made. In this case, evidence probably pointed to a population prodominently comprised of young deer. And the DNR made the decision to improve deer age, and therefore quality, by implementing point restrictions. I agree with that.
-Chris Bender
The new Minnesota Hunting Regulation is an interesting one that I agree will help increase the age and health of the deer population. It is interesting though how only kids the ages of 14 to 16 can kill any size buck regardless of the number of points. Kids can hunt at younger ages with a mentor before they are 14. Younger kids or even adults who are first time hunters should also be able to shoot a deer of any size. I think it would be harder to keep these new hunters in the hunting tradition if they are not allowed to shoot a deer they see. On the other hand, I find it cool how not being able to shoot the first deer you see keeps one outside longer giving the individual a chace to fully enjoy the outdoors and see more animals. This was deffinetly an interesting blog to read as I am not a hunter myself.
I agree with you both, Chris and Kristina. I love the idea that they are doing this because, as said before, that it keeps you out their longer and gives you a chance to enjoy nature. While also improving the quality of deer that are in the area. I think down the road more hunters will come around. It is always that first instinct of fear that frustrates a lot of hunters. I personally seen any wheres from 10 to 30 deer every night I went out hunting. But there is a large population of deer where I live. I think that once this plan succeeds what hunters want, this plan will be implemented throughout all of Minnesota.
Post a Comment