I see in Game Check they have a comparison tab so you can check this years total against the last two years by county.

https://game.dcnr.alabama.gov/Report/Compare/Deer

The biggest thing I see on that is that people that hunt public land don't report deer

That and the people are definitely getting more educated. The ones that did not know what county they killed their deer in decreased by almost 30% in the 18-19 season. State should be proud, they are teaching people something. People now seem to be learning what county they are actually hunting in. Overall reported harvest is up 10.5%, even with all the crappy weather, as compared to the previous year. Does that mean our deer population is expanding or does it simply mean that more people are participating in Chuckie Check??????? Sure wish there was some way to actually determine if there is any statistical validity to the sample data being collected........

Most people I talked to (a bunch ) this year didn't report nothing. None that I know of went over the limits . Matter of time theyll say , we'll it ain't working let's force tags down their throat's

What a waste of money and time .

Lol

Instant Analysis.... folks who reported last year, reported this year. Folks who ain't gonna, ain't gonna.

I agree with this. Can't just look at this year compared to last. Have to compare all three years of mandatory. First year and this year real close. Last year was a slow year by the numbers. Still a small sample but appears to be consistent to me. According to Chuckle around 35% reported the first year and with the numbers so close I would say that 35% reporting should be close this year.

At what point do the numbers get put to use?

So how do these numbers let us know how the deer herd is doing?

I would like to see the number of hunters reporting in each county compared to the number of licensed hunters.

I’m not sure what the answer is but the current system is not it. Maybe tags but that may be government over reach?

A fine example of a gathering of useless data. I would like to see a written summary of how this data can be of any use to someone who hunts in this state.

This is from the DCNR website on Game Check:

Managing Alabama’s deer population and its deer hunters is a unique and challenging process. WFF strives to be proactive in its management strategies and to keep the best interests of the deer populations and deer hunters at the forefront of the decision-making process. As data collection efforts improve and WFF gain a clearer understanding of the desires of the state’s deer hunters and the status of its deer herd, changes to the length and timing of Alabama’s deer season, bag limits, and other aspects of deer hunting in Alabama are likely in upcoming years.

Less than 1000 taken in Colbert ? Lol

Game check is a joke

Does PDHA stand for public deer hunting areas? If so wtf is that? If not what does it stand for

Also, what is the “other” land classified as if it’s considered public

Does it really make sense that deer numbers are up over last year, but man hours in the woods is probably at a 5 year low due to the majority of weekends having rain? Curious for an explanation for that. Nearly each county is a couple hundred over where they were last year. Either numbers are improving OR reporting is up OR the numbers are being fudged. Wonder which it is? Would love to hear from processors that were saying this was going to end up being their worst season in years back in January. Something doesn't make sense.

Seems like it will take years to get a majority to check deer in. My opinion anyway lol

Less than 1K in both Coosa and Elmore...... hahahahahaha!

I'd like to see the results of the estimate from the mailed out surveys for this year, versus what game check said was killed.

Game check is the biggest piece of crap I've ever seen. On the other hand, I guess we should just be glad we're not getting stopped every 5 miles because we have mud on our tires and an orange hat reflecting off the windshield. Out west they set up stops regularly.

I inquired about this via Facebook and the answer was TVA and Corp land

I've hunted out west a dozen times and have driven thru ONE roadblock/game check in all those trips.

A joke for sure.

You sir, are a lucky man!

Legitimate question

They don't, just like Game Check overall. We've got a bunch of worthless "data," and Chuckie basically is at liberty to interpret the results as he sees fit.

Well it tells you that there were a buncha deers killed, some of them was mama deers and some of them were daddy deers. The daddy deers would have been good'uns/better'uns next year if they weren't killed.

Yes, he can do what he wants. He said the first year of mandatory GC that 30-35% reported. This year's #s are real close to the first year so the 30-35% is still reporting. That means 65-70% are paying him no attention. So, yes, he can do what he wants but guess what those 65-70% are going to continue to do? Pay him no attention! Drop the buck limit to one?? Real close to the same number of bucks would still be killed, just less would be reported. Cut the season length??? We just added 3 days. Not enough data with a 3 year sample to take it back. Yes, he can do what he wants while at the same time he can do nothing.

I live and hunt in Illinois have never hunted out of state we have to buy tags before hunting and call in to state every deer shot. Tags have to be put on deer as soon as shot and cant be taken to taxidermist or processor and game warden can check for tag on any deer he sees with fines for non compliance. Im sure few don't get checked in. How does a state manage a deer herd with only a third checked in. Looks to me like hunters are screwing there own hunting up by not reporting and no self control on what they shoot.

That is the way most people down here like it. They prefer to disregard any attempt of the state to properly manage the deer herd in any way. Then bitch about the state not managing the deer herd. It really is kind of ironic but it is what it is.

You do realize the State you live in is one of those GOVERNMENT knows best and if you don't believe it they will stomp on your neck don't you? No thanks is my reply.

FOID!

And here we are Alabama has mismanaged herd to point of restocking deer population and in down hill spiral again. Maybe if they had some correct kill numbers they could readjust rules and limits. Illinois is no better they have tag information on majority of deer killed and don't use it, sell pretty much unlimited tags just for the income. It all comes down to hunters taking responsibility and managing the deer they have. you cant complain about your hunting when your part of the problem.

Why are you concerned about deer in Alabama? You've never hunted outside of Illinoise.

Just my 2 cents I know I live in a communist state. That doesn't keep me from wanting the best deer hunting I can possibly have on my place. I would assume you would want the same thing.

No , we just don't like stupid shucks like GC

My two cents...there will never be a perfect system that pleases everyone. Regardless of what’s done by the state, people will blow holes in the “theory”. Tags and check stations cost money; money that the state will have to recoup on licenses and fees. The Game Check can be and will be a good tool as more data is accumulated. Of course there will be limited participation but relative trends will emerge. As with any law, too many people look for ways to get around it either out of greed or some personal satisfaction in being a rebel outlaw??

Bottom line, as with any resource, the consumer is responsible for managing in a way to best preserve the resource. That said, the consumer needs help from time to time being motivated or reminded. IMO, fines for hunting violations should likely be increased exponentially. And before I get crucified for that, let me say that those fines to be greatly increased should be for the illegal kills (hunting at night, trespassing and excessive kills) not chicken crap laws like not having a Harvest Report Card, BS! Notice I did not include Baiting? Again, IMO, until the state puts corn ALL IN or ALL OUT, should only be able to enforce 100 yards and out of sight. I know baiting is illegal, but the state created this cluster when they added that verbiage!

Be smart, be responsible, follow the laws, report your kills and take a kid hunting and teach them to do the same!

PDHA stands for physically disabled hunting areas that can be found on different WMAs.

The whole gc thing is just a step in the direction of tags. Soon we will be told that the hunters aren't reporting and we need a tag system. Taxidermists and processors will be responsible for making sure that every animal they process is tagged. Game wardens will enforce the tag system by doing inspections of the facilities and road blocks, etc..

All this is for is so Chuck can pluck mandated participation rate out of thin air and DEMAND more rules, regulations and laws TO MAKE ALL OF THE HUNTERS TO FALL IN LOCK STEP OR ELSE!!!!!!!!!!!!

Mandatory tags are coming to add to the strangle hold and because Alabama has to be just like other states, when hunting in Alabama's pine forests is not like hunting in the ag belt of the midwest. But BY GAWD we are going to wish our way into more and more stupidity then sit around and wonder what the hell happened and why nobody hunts anymore, but government force is a great thing!!

I wish Alabama would go to a true tag system. Give you the tags when you purchase your licence. And for those that get caught moving there deer without a tag in place should be punished. The fine should cost over 2000 dollars. Then people will report as required by law.

No they won't. The same people who shoot after hours, across fence lines, over roads, into water with boats around are still going to break the laws.
The people getting tickets will be the ones who are so excited that they take pics before tagging and post up on social media.

I just hope that those that willingly choose not to use game check realize that our states future bag limits and hunting regulations will come from this data. Regulations that will not only affect the average hunter but landowners as well. By the way it looks right now we need about a two week season.

Is that what the data is showing? I only shot one deer this year....Does that mean I need a two week season where I hunt?

It's showing that deer harvest numbers are no where near what the state thought it was, whether you only kill one deer or not. Only way the state can control harvest numbers or lack of is by length of season or bag limits.

So if what you’re saying is true and we’re killing far less than they thought…..then what would be the reason for shortening the season….to kill even fewer? Isn’t the sustainability of the harvest the more important thing to look at?

The point I’m trying to make here is that the trends over time is the only thing you can really draw any conclusions from. It really doesn’t matter if they were overestimating the actual numbers in the past or underestimating now as long as it stays constant from year to year either way. That way you can see if the harvest is increasing, decreasing, or staying the same. Eventually they’re gonna just have to roll with the participation rate and hope it stays fairly constant.

I think part of the reason we saw doe harvests decrease over the last 10-15 years is in part due to the fact that the amount being killed in some areas just wasn’t sustainable.

Lots of questions could be had with the current numbers. Participation and overal deer numbers are the first two that come to mind. It's not whether I agree or disagree with game check, it's the fact that governmental decisions could be made from the data. The world runs off data these days.

The state could do more to catch spotlighters around here who kill dozens of deer every year, leaving many of them laying right where they were shot. Theres alot of that going on around here. That would help the numbers a bit