After trapping season is over I get a survey card every year wanting to know how Many of each species caught, number of sets, and amount of days sets were out etc. It couldn't hurt to mail something similar to every one who purchased a hunting license and deer permits. Its not mandatory and obviously some would toss them in the trash.... if not exaggerate numbers. But what could it hurt to get a general idea of whats unraveling each season?
After trapping season is over I get a survey card every year wanting to know how Many of each species caught, number of sets, and amount of days sets were out etc. It couldn't hurt to mail something similar to every one who purchased a hunting license and deer permits. Its not mandatory and obviously some would toss them in the trash.... if not exaggerate numbers. But what could it hurt to get a general idea of whats unraveling each season?
Well the deer tagging (call in) system does that, or at least is supposed to do that. I haven't received a trapping survey card myself.
While speaking of reporting...
I was hunting NY before and after the call in system was established there and I can tell you that deer kill to report of kill ratios went way down. Call in doesn't make any sense if you really care about getting accurate count.
I understand NY's actions because there are so many deer per. square mile (in the lower half) that it's never going to be an issue of over harvest and where it does matter, you would never be able to kill enough to make a significant impact in the population density.
With that said, Ohio (at least the northern ohio I know) isn't like NY at all and the tagging system here is ridiculous. I know of more Amish deer kills that have gone unreported than reported. Tell a warden around here about it and you might as well be talking to a tree. Nothing gets done because it's just not worth the effort on their part, I guess.
Well the deer tagging (call in) system does that, or at least is supposed to do that. I haven't received a trapping survey card myself.
While speaking of reporting...
I was hunting NY before and after the call in system was established there and I can tell you that deer kill to report of kill ratios went way down. Call in doesn't make any sense if you really care about getting accurate count.
I understand NY's actions because there are so many deer per. square mile (in the lower half) that it's never going to be an issue of over harvest and where it does matter, you would never be able to kill enough to make a significant impact in the population density.
With that said, Ohio (at least the northern ohio I know) isn't like NY at all and the tagging system here is ridiculous. I know of more Amish deer kills that have gone unreported than reported. Tell a warden around here about it and you might as well be talking to a tree. Nothing gets done because it's just not worth the effort on their part, I guess.
I thought about the call in myself but if people reported the average number of days in the field, numbers of deer seen either per outing or seasonal average of deer seen on outings, counties hunted, number of stand locations, number of days hunted per season (bow, gun, etc.) Number of harvest in a particular season, or other things that could provide valuable info I think it could give some insight if they put the proper questions on there IMO. Wish I hadn't sent the survey card in so I could snap a pic.
*Make hunting leases illegal. All parties wishing to lease land should first obtain and Purchase Outfitters/Guide license.
*Allow Snares on public land.
* Make Baiting illegal
* Implement and Enforce Wanton Waste laws
the 1st and 4th are the most important to me. Leases have stretched hunting prime areas into the realm of who has the $$$$$$. Most if not all of my hunting is subsistence, with the exception of turkey hunting. One of the reasons alot guys have trouble getting permission also. Its getting harder to pass the heritage along when people lock it up with the almighty dollar. Hunting never was about that and shouldnt be. If you wanna pay big bucks for a quality hunt then go to an Outfitter. Then theres Wanton Waste..... Its your Ethical Responsibility to harvest and utilize the animals you take. Do the best you can. i understand a Big Buck isnt as tender as a doe but after you get the rack it's not coyote bait. I've seen enough caped out headless deer DEEP in public land in the past.... my guess a lazy hunter didnt want to drag it. Thats not hunting.... its just killing.
Sometimes hunters must adjust to the times of modern day hunting. My best HS friend who lives in Alabama told me 10 years ago that if you didn't belong to a hunting lease you didn't hunt in his state! I remember telling him I would never pay to hunt. Today is a different day, I lost many of my properties to leasing, so now I play the game. I save my money and work several extra jobs to pay for several lease properties. I'm ok and happy giving the farmers a little extra money to help them and their family's. I also hunt land I do not lease, the only problem is pressure, and added pressure doesn't always equate to a successful deer hunting experience. If you have family land, be thankful for that land, and be happy you have a place to hunt. Good luck to all hunters whether you hunt for free, lease, own, pay a guide, etc.
I feel that in a state with a population as high as ohio has, and also a high number of hunters per huntable acreage this would be a huge nightmare. It works well in areas of sparse population and vast rural areas,( i.e. out west) Also , I, as a private landowner who maintains my own land, and pay the taxes on it have a huge problem with the govt telling me I must allow any tom, dick or harry they can hunt my land. More Govt control is the last thing I need
Wow what a statement, don't private landowners have rights to? I don't think my wife would like 10 hunters showing up opening morning of deer gun season on our 10 acres!
I could see this creating a huge problem for many reasons! Safety would be first and foremost , I cant see this being a safe scenario? I still believe landowners have rights, one of their rights would be who they allow to hunt, and who they don't? What if the landowner and his children were hunting their own land that day, and an army of orange hunters showed up to hunt the same property. This could be very, very, dangerous to all parties involved!
Hunters would be more displaced by opening up privatelands. Instead of your lands being crowded..they would actually be less crowded. The deer herd could be managed better. No more out of control deer herds from posted land.
...and "trespassing" would be a thing of the past.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using Ohub Campfire mobile app
I feel that in a state with a population as high as ohio has, and also a high number of hunters per huntable acreage this would be a huge nightmare. It works well in areas of sparse population and vast rural areas,( i.e. out west) Also , I, as a private landowner who maintains my own land, and pay the taxes on it have a huge problem with the govt telling me I must allow any tom, dick or harry they can hunt my land. More Govt control is the last thing I need
Wow what a statement, don't private landowners have rights to? I don't think my wife would like 10 hunters showing up opening morning of deer gun season on our 10 acres!
I could see this creating a huge problem for many reasons! Safety would be first and foremost , I cant see this being a safe scenario? I still believe landowners have rights, one of their rights would be who they allow to hunt, and who they don't? What if the landowner and his children were hunting their own land that day, and an army of orange hunters showed up to hunt the same property. This could be very, very, dangerous to all parties involved!
all residents of ohio have rights...many here dont think they should...only hunters have rights...to heck how it effects anybuddy else...thats why we need the odnr...:biggrin:
First I would expand the wardens athority and allow them to write citations for anyone tresspasing while you hunt. As of now the person(s) have to be hunting to be cited by a game warden and in some areas you cant get the sheriff to do anything. Have had alot of hunts ruined by people on ATV's. Then do away with outfitting and leasing. Finally create a scale if you recieve say up to 6 crop damage permits you have to allow X number of people hunt for 2 years and the more permits = more hunters.
First I would expand the wardens athority and allow them to write citations for anyone tresspasing while you hunt. As of now the person(s) have to be hunting to be cited by a game warden and in some areas you cant get the sheriff to do anything. Have had alot of hunts ruined by people on ATV's. Then do away with outfitting and leasing. Finally create a scale if you recieve say up to 6 crop damage permits you have to allow X number of people hunt for 2 years and the more permits = more hunters.
Hunters would be more displaced by opening up privatelands. Instead of your lands being crowded..they would actually be less crowded. The deer herd could be managed better. No more out of control deer herds from posted land.
...and "trespassing" would be a thing of the past.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using Ohub Campfire mobile app
Your proposal would end hunting in Ohio - the general public would never
stand for this nonsense - dang - you would see the biggest voter turn out in Ohio history to vote to ban hunting if people lost control of their private property - double dang :mischeif:
Your proposal would end hunting in Ohio - the general public would never
stand for this nonsense - dang - you would see the biggest voter turn out in Ohio history to vote to ban hunting if people lost control of their private property - double dang :mischeif:
Some of the requests would require a fairly involved level of micro managing on behalf of the ODNR. From a manpower and financial standpoint, I don't see some of them as practical or even possible.
If you have any concerns about the use or misuse of crop damage permits for instance, animal populations and things of that nature etc., why not establish a better relationship with your county game officer? Get involved with the organizations and clubs that are active on these subjects. There is also the Open Houses which have an absolutely pathetic turnout each year. More people could attend those to communicate their concerns. If you can't attend, there is an email option and if you can read this message you have it within your power to use it.
Poachers? Turn them in. 1-800-POACHER. Most of the information leading to investigations and arrests come from non poachers that hunt. Be a good witness, take notes, observe violations and communicate it with someone who can aid in a prosecution.
Ohio's DOW could be the best in the nation if hunters would put forth the slightest effort to communicate, get involved in the process and be the best stewards of the land they can be.
When 300 - 500 hunters are involved in the process that 300,000 - 400,000 participate in, this is what you get. Deal with it or do something.
Sometimes hunters must adjust to the times of modern day hunting. My best HS friend who lives in Alabama told me 10 years ago that if you didn't belong to a hunting lease you didn't hunt in his state! I remember telling him I would never pay to hunt. Today is a different day, I lost many of my properties to leasing, so now I play the game. I save my money and work several extra jobs to pay for several lease properties. I'm ok and happy giving the farmers a little extra money to help them and their family's. I also hunt land I do not lease, the only problem is pressure, and added pressure doesn't always equate to a successful deer hunting experience. If you have family land, be thankful for that land, and be happy you have a place to hunt. Good luck to all hunters whether you hunt for free, lease, own, pay a guide, etc.
Its not the farmers around here in my area. Its actually companies/individuals buying up the land. They turn around and lease to hunters in the fall and winter then lease it to farmers to plant spring and summer.
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