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Ohio Deer Management Stakeholder Group

126K views 1K replies 66 participants last post by  Buck Buster 
#1 ·
by John Hageman
7:00AM TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 07, 2017
The ODNR, Division of Wildlife (DOW) has formed a Deer Management Stakeholder Organization that will be tasked with helping them develop Ohio's 10-year deer management plan.

The list of organizations includes many of the most interested parties that are able to provide meaningful input regarding Ohio deer management recommendations.

A series of 5 quarterly meetings, taking place from May, 2017 until May, 2018 will take the place of the poorly-attended deer summits that were offered over the past 3 years.

One representative will be supplied from each group, which currently includes (in alphabetical order):

Buckeye Big Buck Club, Buckeye Firearms Association, League of Ohio Sportsmen, Ohio Bowhunters Association, Ohio Conservation Federation, Ohio Dept. of Agriculture, Ohio Farm Bureau, Ohio Farmers Union, Ohio Forestry Association, Ohio Senate, Ohio Wildlife Council, Quality Deer Management Association, Social Media, The Nature Conservancy (Ohio), The Ohio State University Extension, The Outdoor Writers of Ohio, The Whitetail Deer Farmers of Ohio and Whitetails Unlimited.

Dr. Doug Dessette, an applied decision research specialist from The Ohio State University's School of Environmental and Natural Resources will moderate the sessions. DOW biologists and administrators will play a technical role in the background to provide expertise when called upon by the committee to do so.

Planned topics of discussion will include timing of seasons, deer population goals with respect to their own historical perspectives, interests, but by maintaining a solid foundation of science-based management.

Sportsmen can still make their opinions and preferences known about Ohio's fish and wildlife management, including our deer population and hunting seasons by attending the annual open houses, offered at each of the DOW District offices on Saturday March 4, 2017.

[Editor's Note: We will provide updates as this project unfolds over the next year. Ohio deer hunters may send questions/comments to us via the email by clicking here.]

This article originally appreared in Ohio Outdoor News. Republished with permission

I will be representing the Social Media group. What you read on this release is all that I know at this time. As I learn more I'll pass the info on to you.
 
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#2 ·
Well, I just wonder how this will turn out.. I'm an optimist so I'm optimistic!

The summit at ceasers creak had plenty of people show up. They just didn't like what was said. I guess now they have their group that will agree with what they want them to agree with... But I'm optimistic!! Lol hopefully it will turn out well.
 
#3 ·
Sounds shady to me. They don't want to put the higher ups on the spot in front of hunters who will ask questions they don't have logical answers for. Go to the open house and voice your opinions to the lower level employees. Unbelievable!!! Well, not really.
 
#1,346 ·
We have most of these groups individually trying to do different things in PA, but they don't represent the majority of hunters just the special interest groups. The PGC will go along with some of these groups but only if it is something that they want or have already been doing! I have only read #'s 2-3-4-&5 but have to say that you have them pegged pretty good if they are the same as in PA. I have found that people are the same where ever, and so are the governing bodies. I have been shafted by many of the different governing bodies and I am very gun shy, so I look at things through a microscope anymore, or very closely in the least. That is why I have spoken up about the new deer management program in Ohio, sounds to me they are just throwing a bone to the dogs ton keep them quiet, and I think its working. But I like what the last four have been thinking. I think that's great! You have to be sure 63 they are not like Johnny no guns, blowing smoke. Watch closely guy.
 
#8 ·
Maybe the proposal is more smoke and mirrors. They propose going up to a 3 deer limit knowing it will not be well received. They then back off the proposal. Win win for them
They tell those that want more cuts see we tried... and they tell those that want more deer see we backed off!
 
#11 ·
Yea, I'm sure MRex will be on both counsels. Yes, he's a mod on this site.

I say this with no disrespect, but I don't think MRex fits the mold for who represents me.
Perhaps he will hear what is important to hunters off this site and relay or push for those issues..


Judging from that list very few repesent me. Many on the list have their own agenda and $ seems to be it.

We will see, time will tell.
 
#24 ·
Yea, I'm sure MRex will be on both counsels. Yes, he's a mod on this site.

I say this with no disrespect, but I don't think MRex fits the mold for who represents me.
Perhaps he will hear what is important to hunters off this site and relay or push for those issues..

Judging from that list very few repesent me. Many on the list have their own agenda and $ seems to be it.

We will see, time will tell.
I'll be on the committee representing the Wildlife Council. Jerry Weingart will represent the Buckeye Big Buck Club.
 
#12 ·
Bill, read the bottom of Bawana's post, he is the one representing the "social media" section.

We could use this as a good folks… It took me a few days to realize this once I first found out. But if you step back and look at things, we're a hell of a lot better off then we were a few years ago. You guys now have 2 mods on this site that site on the board and a couple of others that have inside people. Time to turn your way of thinking and make something happen. I believe you have all the people you need in your corner right here. Time to put differences aside and get rid of the "they won't listen" attitude. Get behind Brent and Mike, support them. Do things like Diane and put together solid research backed with numbers. It's time we get answers from our "leadership" and we have the tools to do so right here!!! The amount of drama within the walls of this place is crazy…get rid of it and make your voice worth something.
 
#13 ·
For those of you who may not know me.....
My name is Brent Laner, I'm from East Central Ohio, New Phila to be exact. I'm 63 years old, married with 5 kids and 4 grand kids....so far. I've been a member of this site since 2002. I was an Ohio State Trooper, retired in 2002 after 25 years. I've been involved in agricultural work basically since I left the patrol. I am currently an insurance adjuster for federal crop insurance. In 1987 I purchased 48 acres of ground and built a log cabin on it. I've been here for 30 years and when I die they will spread my ashes here as well.
I will be honest, I'm not sure how this group will play out, but I feel it has a lot of promise and I plan on giving it my best. Once some things are firmed up and I know a little more I'll be posting on here to get opinions, might be just in discussions, and it might be by way of polls or surveys. Feel free to ask away or if you wish PM me.
 
#27 ·
Bawana, I believe your sincerity and am glad we have a voice in the mix. Here is my issue with this situation, I'm assuming that since odnr will be on the sidelines to give information that will ge vital for numbers going forward, that it will be the same blown out of proportion, down right lying a$$ numbers they give everybody else. For this to work and work right, I believe the first thing as a group that you need to do is vote in a way to get your own information!! I know plenty of hunters in Athens who have already told me they will gather deer numbers info and habitat info for Athens county this year!! Real data from real hunters is the only way this is going to work. Otherwise your just using the same old numbers that they us to manage that we all know are way off!!
 
#15 ·
Could you tell us how you were chosen to sit on this board? What kind of interview did they give you?Questions you were asked etc? Give us your beliefs and views on public land hunting what needs fixed what don't. Will you be representing the whole of hunters over your own opinions. Your view on how you feel the isn't has handled deer heard numbers? Please and thanks.
 
#17 ·
I hope it works. We could be in a lot worse shape. At least they are making changes before we end up like indiana's seasons and laws....decreasing bag limits this season and this season to come in some counties is better than staying the same or increasing for a decade. We as deer hunters, have some representation now (we hope) only if it is a few. Better than of having an unheard voice.......
 
#22 ·
Im going to plan to attend, and I hope things change.

Hunters do have some say in minor things, like when the bonus gun season is. But is that all this meeting(s) is about? Details of the "10 year plan"? The press release did state that they want hunter opinion, but that the way the herd is managed is still going to be science based(science fiction). That still sounds like, "we want your opinion as long as its inline with what the DOW has already determined".

I still doubt very much that the meat and potatoes of the plan is up for debate or the general direction of deer managment in Ohio.

But we all have to try, if this 10 year plan is junk, we are totally screwed.

We need a whole new outlook and direction first, thats the overwhelming issue in my book.
 
#23 ·
Im going to plan to attend, and I hope things change.

Hunters do have some say in minor things, like when the bonus gun season is. But is that all this meeting(s) is about? Details of the "10 year plan"? The press release did state that they want hunter opinion, but that the way the herd is managed is still going to be science based(science fiction). That still sounds like, "we want your opinion as long as its inline with what the DOW has already determined".

I still doubt very much that the meat and potatoes of the plan is up for debate or the general direction of deer managment in Ohio.

But we all have to try, if this 10 year plan is junk, we are totally screwed.

We need a whole new outlook and direction first, thats the overwhelming issue in my book
.
I was just thinking about this (again). It seems to me that over the years, the outlook has shifted. The ODNR grew the herd through crafted regulations. As it expanded, they focused on growing the population and expanding it into areas that could support deer. Whatever impact the deer were having, the thought was, "If we're going to have a deer herd, this is the price we pay."

Somewhere along the way, we reached a critical point and the deer took over their own plan. They moved into suburbia and cities and flourished in areas where I suspect people gave little thought to at first. All the while, the business of deer hunting grew. Not just deer scents, calls and camo, but the DOW fees for licenses and permits. A two headed monster was created. Deer and the impacts they bring, and the business of deer hunting and its impact on the state and state businesses.

Once we hit the point where there was conflict, homeowners and their flower beds, deer/MVAs and crop damage among other things, the focus shifted. Of course, now we are not worried about growing deer, but stamping out conflicts. The state was ill prepared for a resident deer population in Beachwood and other places with pockets of woods but no conventional deer habitat. In my opinion, the state managers made a knee jerk reaction (aided by the lobbying efforts of farming and insurance interests) instead of a thoughtful plan, get rid of as many deer as we can without completely alienating the hunters.

There is an opportunity for balance that has been completely missed so far. Regulations that would target specific populations of troublesome deer, not the whole herd. When a bear eats a camper out west, they don't launch a campaign to eradicate the bears, they go kill that bear. We are killing deer in Hocking county because a deer got hit by a car in Summit county.

The state should continue to encourage hunting in suburban communities. Withhold state funding (like the feds do) if the communities with problems don't do something themselves. Plot areas with crop damage permits and give adjoining or nearby landowners the opportunity to kill more deer. Establish highway corridors where areas along the roadways that experience higher than normal deer/MVAs have a higher bag limit (not entire counties, 1/2mile on either side for example). Limit the kill on public property by lowering the limit and counting any deer killed in the state against that limit. Do those type of things within the framework of managing the remainder of the herd with an honest eye on carrying capacity and overall health.
 
#25 ·
This sounds like it could work. Thats a room of people from all backgrounds and interest. It's not easy to manage 3 deer herds in one state. A publicly accessible herd with one of the highest hunter densities in the country, a private land herd, and a urban herd to top it off. I hope we see more diverse management as our herd is just that, diverse. Our habitat varries significantly. It is changing daily now, less and less of it. One quick look at the link I posted to historical satellite photos shows you how much habitat is dissapearing. I'm counting on a deer herd my kids and someday grandkids can pursue.
 
#30 ·
Might work. I'm still skeptical. Like Bryan said it has to start with ACCURATE numbers. The kill em all mentality has to go and a true management plan has to be implemented.
Can anyone tell me that they know for a fact that x number of deer were harvested in their county? No. We rely on Division of Wildlife's numbers. Are they accurate? Nobody knows. Kill may have been off by 20% this year. We'd never know. That's where trust in accurate numbers comes into play. They've done nothing but damage our trust in them. I'm skeptical!!!
 
#31 ·
As you should be, the harvest numbers have always seemed a little skewed! Ok I can deal with a little white lie to get more guys in the woods. It creates revenue and helps with management. But the wildlife council adding an extra doe tag to the counties in the south in hopes of selling more licences is absurd. I hunted public land the whole month of October and can count on two hands the number of deer I seen, not the ones in range, the total number. This is in Athens county, where the average Joe will shoot two does next year. I want to know exactly what scientific research was shown to prove that this will help grow the heard that is almost non existent on some public tracts in Athens county!! Don't believe me, take a walk and see for yourself!!
 
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#32 ·
A little more about me and I'll try to answer some of your questions in the process. I am a deer hunter plain and simple, Primarily now I bow hunt, but I still have and use both shotguns and muzzleloaders. I do not consider myself a trophy hunter, but I limit myself to what I consider mature bucks (3.5 and older) when buck hunting. I have 48 acres of my own which is where I do most of my hunting, plus a few neighbors property. One area where I will rely on you folks pretty heavily is public land deer hunting. I have hunted public ground for turkeys and rabbits in the recent past but not deer.
I was contacted back in late October and asked if I would consider representing all the social media groups on a panel setting up a 10 year plan for Ohio Deer Management. This Stakeholder group is the result of that. I do not know exactly how these meetings are going to play out. I believe this can be a great thing for Ohio or it may be a bust, but I'm going to do everything I can to make it work for us. Representing all social media is somewhat daunting in itself. How do you find everyone! I have contacted one other site at this time, and I will be contacting a few more. Likewise I will be contacting a few Ohio facebook sites.
 
#40 ·
Working together for a common goal is what everyone wants!

It will be difficult to represent everyone's specific problem or issue.

But the number one common problem seems to be fewer and fewer deer over the last 5 or 6 years. The herd is stable right now, and decreasing in many areas. Member's want stable and increasing.

Good luck to those representing us.
 
#43 ·
I think if access were improved hunter attitudes would be very different. There are good huntable populations of deer in many parts of the state, but access is very limited to those of us who do not own land. I think there needs to be a plan to add public acreage and proposals on how to regulate leasing and outfitting. I might even suggest a syntax or licensing fee placed on recreational leases and outfitting that is earmarked for public land acquisition.
 
#47 ·
I have no problem with paying more as long as the money is used for purchasing land and managing it correctly.
That's my big concern about purchasing more public ground..... If it's managed like the public we have now it won't be worth hunting in a few years. It's sad because our public ground could be so much better than it is.
I also wouldn't mind paying more for them to be able to have two Wildlife Officers per county. Public needs more enforcement. Too much dumping etc going on and one officer can't keep up with an entire county. I know that's wishful thinking though.
 
#49 ·
Public land is awesome for me this year...

For deer and other wildlife the answer is logging... And thick stuff. Hint hint.. Of course there needs to be some mature hard woods just not to the level we are at now.

That's where the division of forestry and Odnr need to work as a team. Farming practices need to change a bit. Buffer zones fence lines need to be encouraged. They not only promote cover for the oh mighty buck but for all wildlife including song birds.
 
#50 ·
I myself would not have a huge problem going on public and harvesting a deer. I did pass up a three year old 135 ish buck on public this year hoping he would make it till next year. He has so far, we just found one of his sheds yesterday!! Can I get him in range next season for a shot, who knows. Point is there are deer on public land that can be harvested by the seasoned hunter!! But let's face it, most hunters in the woods are not seasoned by any means. Most wouldn't know the difference between a white oak acorn and a red oak acorn if you hit them in the forehead with it. These guys, the weekend warriors, the ones who can only hunt a handful of times a year, are the hunters we are in danger of loosing!! I've heard it from many of their own. Mouths. They keep saying it's getting harder and harder to fill a tag on public land and since none of them own any, they may as well hang it up!!! I hate hearing someone say that. Think about it, if they started hanging it up and we lost say 35% of our tag and license sales. Then we would be in a truly bad way!! Saying that the glass is half full is something I always try to do, but in this case, the future of men in the woods with deer tags out ways my selfishness!!! This time :)!!!
 
#51 ·
I myself would not have a huge problem going on public and harvesting a deer.
According to the DNRs statistics your an elite hunter. Resident all season success rate on public land was 14 percent in 2015-16 season. Page 7 of the deer summary. If all a new hunter has to hunt is public land, is a 14 percent success rate good enough to keep them around is the question. Eating grocery store meat would be cheaper no doubt. Private land in the same year was 33 percent. That's the odds of harvesting just one deer. License sales are decreasing 1-2 percent a year they say so we're definitely not growing hunter numbers at the current rate. I talked to a DOW guy today that said they are trying to increase bag limits to make up for lost revenue from the peak years. Heard it first hand from DOW. Not sure how the wildlife council plays into that but that's the DOW agenda I was told. Also the goal right now is to sell as many tags to non res as possible to make up for decreasing resident hunter numbers and what their data says is less residents hunting public land. They think there is actually less pressure on public land today.
 
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