State Proposes Expanded Hunting To Thin Herd

[Caribou Dreamer2]

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- State officials are moving toward expanded hunting to thin Ohio's burgeoning deer herd, which has been blamed for increasing crop damage.

In the next hunting season, the Ohio Division of Wildlife wants to offer a special permit to allow gun hunters to bag extra does in counties thick with deer.

Division Of Wildlife Management Administrator Dave Risley says the goal is to stop growth in the deer population and the key to doing that is controlling the number of females.

The proposal introduced Wednesday night needs approval from the eight-member Ohio Wildlife Council.

There were an estimated 675,000 deer in Ohio last summer. A farm group has called for a herd of 250,000, though Risley says that's not realistic.

Whats everybody take on this one.
I don't believe extending the season will do anything,
I think with all the leasing taken part in Ohio and all the farmers not letting hunters on the ground is the problem .If a hunter does not have access to the deer you can't thin the herd,
Just my take on this.
You can have a deer season 365 day a year but if you can't get to them it useless.You have people leasing up ground for maybe say 10 people all season that used to have 50 people a year ,you do the math there.

[Redhunter1012]

I agree with the leasing part, but I don't see it getting better, worse actually. I just don't understand how we are losing numbers in our hunting community but having to fight harder for land access evry year.

[CritterGitter]

I was just think about this:

Where is the greatest percentage of Ohio's agriculture found......as in the most tillable acres? Northwest Ohio

Where is the greatest percentage of Ohio's forest land found......as in mostly trees and reclaimed strip mine areas? Southeast Ohio

Where is the greatest percentage of Ohio's deer herd located? Southeast Ohio

Any questions? Thank you and good night farm bureau.

Now, I know it is not this simple. However, I think the problem is more about access and less about regulations.

I don't see any farmers advertising on sportsmen websites that they want hunters to come and thin the herd on their farm!

Also, while this certainly wouldn't spell doom and gloom for our wonderful deer hunting in Ohio it is another feather in the cap. Ya can only add so many before you look like a turkey!

Kyle

[ohiosam]

I was just think about this:

Where is the greatest percentage of Ohio's agriculture found......as in the most tillable acres? Northwest Ohio

Where is the greatest percentage of Ohio's forest land found......as in mostly trees and reclaimed strip mine areas? Southeast Ohio

Where is the greatest percentage of Ohio's deer herd located? Southeast Ohio

Any questions? Thank you and good night farm bureau.

Now, I know it is not this simple. However, I think the problem is more about access and less about regulations.

I don't see any farmers advertising on sportsmen websites that they want hunters to come and thin the herd on their farm!

Kyle

What percentage of forest in Southern Ohio is owned by farmers who make the majority of their living from farming? From what I've seen driving through much of that area it's hard to find many farms that look like it could support a family. I'm willing to bet by far most of the land is owned by non-farmers and even much of the agriculture land is rented and the farmer has no say in the hunting on it.

I've found it much easier to get permission from farmers then from non-farming landowners.

[gOmerfuDD101]

Heres what im thinkins gonna happen they want the deer herd down to 200,000 250,000 were at what 675,00 thats killing almost 2 out of 3 deer with in 5 years its gonna be like michigans attitude kill em all:( and thats when i move out west because deer hunting is ohios fame bringing alot of money into our hunting and fishing programs dont know where it goes but my 1 cent

[huntsem]

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Suggestions for reducing doe populations;

1). Improve and enhance hunter education on the need for healthy buck to doe ratio in deer herds.
2). Improve and enhance hunter education on tips for identification of, and not killing, button bucks.
3). Institute a 3 day, mid October, early muzzleloader antlerless only season in counties and zones with high doe populations.


The Farm Bureau and the Auto Insurance Industry are pretty much one in the same. If they could have it their way deer would once again be an extinct species in Ohio. Ohio's state legislature and many governing bodies are heavily influenced by big money interests like insurance, commercial real estate developers, agri-business, mining, and timber industries. The heavy influence of Mr. Big Bucks extends far and wide and as has always been the case, will force their own self serving interests to the detriment of a better balance between human communities and nature. Ohio sportsmen and conservationists would be wise to pay attention and be active about such issues. The future welfare of our hunting and outdoor recreation community depends on it.




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[jaybird62]

ditto!!

[cjd3]

I'll try and do my part.