So after asking folks to rank their season, as of this morning there was 71 responses.

52% of people responded that this season was better than recent seasons.
14% said this season was on par with previous seasons.
34% said this season was worse than previous seasons.

So my question:

With over 50% of people having a better year this year than prior years, can we say with a certain level of confidence that the state isn't doing as poor of a job managing the resource as we sometimes accuse them?

I'm not saying we excuse all stupidity, but taken on the whole, the results would suggest they may be doing a fair job doesn't it?

I would say I’m doing a good job managing the resources! What has the state done to help me?

This ^^ i wouldn't have any deer if I went by states rules...

Your "poll" was indicative of ranking the season. Respondents took into account sightings, misses, children getting their first, etc. Therefore, I don't think you can say with any level of confidence that the state isn't doing as poor of a job managing the resource as they get accused.

That said, I personally think collectively they do a good job of managing the resource and a terrible job of managing their own communication and internal directives. The local biologists and enforcement personnel that I have talked with are both knowledgeable and have a passion for their profession.

The very top tier appears to be where the problem lies from a people perspective in my opinion. A change is warranted in personnel, but not necessarily in the resource.

Ask this again after turkey season and potential changes at the CAB meeting for more feedback.

I would say that poll has ZERO correlation to anything just like:

I rate my season a A- . My kids killed 32 does and everyone tagged out on bucks including my 80 year old Uncle who got out of prison January 25th. So glad we got to spend some time together blasting spikes before he violates parole. Best 50 acres I ever hunted but I wish we coulda got a couple more to give to folks at Church. We just didn't really see as many deer after mid December.

Looking forward to next season. I think the State is doing a great job.

#makingmemories #doingitforthekids #ishotumallintheneck #butiranoutabeermidjanuary

#lovemyneighborswhowillneverkillabigdeerEVER #maybetheygotabeericanbum

Congrats on a good season goatkiler.

I would also say that hunter satisfaction plays a major role in the balance of management. If more hunters are "satisfied" than not, we have to give a little credit where it is due.



And I agree with all of this.

Does that mean that making the processors report kills to the government help with hunters enjoying the season???????

No, but it might mean it wasn't the end of hunter enjoyment that some might claim.

Well if you tell me the answer you want, I can phrase the question. That's not hard.

Hippie killer - getting the number to a processor was way easier than I thought it would b (probably was not for everybody - but it was for me). I was reporting in some small towns with average internet and I got the number in about 30 seconds or less

I am guessing they do this for accuracy in harvest reporting

This May start a total uproar - but since U asked - since I hav been able to feed corn - my deer sightings hav gone up - I hav killed more deer and I think I can take a better inventory of my deer herd and seeing more deer has made it more fun. Getting my own place and keeping pressure down and always hunting the wind has also helped - yea - me personally - I been more satisfied the last 2 years - I would hav to give them some credit - but baiting been going on every year for 50 years by outlaws

Most states hav some type of reporting system - i put myself in this box - I think a lot of guys don’t like their sand box messed with including myself - but that does not mean all changes or new things are a bad thing

SJ22 is 100%. The "state", better known as "little chuck sykes" had and has a vested interest in legalizing the hunting over bait. Check the record on his relationship with ol' Dan Moultrie. If he truly was concerned about CWD in our herd as he says, (while he acts out his light profanity-laced rants on the radio), then he would have never pushed for the move. That's just one instance. Ask most turkey hunters what they think of our little friend.

WE manage our herds, WE are the stewards of these animals, and I give zero credit to a paid-off napoleon-- ever! The only two reasonable implementations that the state has made in recent history which have paid any dividend in furthering the betterment of our deer herd is the date changes of the season relegated by fetal studies on conception dates; plus the not so recent move away from the one buck a day rule. Other than that, they need to turn the state's rule-making to men who have the balls to keep their hands off of my management and out of my pockets.

Oh, by the way, my season was stellar!

A+++, due to:


1) Busting tail in the off-season on farm. The season never ends!

2) Studying the whitetail all off-season. Aldeer bretheren a big part!

3) Implementing newly formed strategies. Never stop learning!


Thanks for the survey, HippieKiller! Loved seeing the comments and final tally. Interesting for sure. Please go live your name, sir.

I didn’t see the state do anything to help manage or improve my hunting, we did it all ourselves!
Like we always have, and had a great season.

None of us taxidermist and processors were reporting this info to the government. This info was given to us by hunters to verify that the deer had been game checked.