Guys at work think its about time to cut back on doe days. I was listening to them talk about how they dont see the deer they use to. Most of these cats are hunting franklin, colbert and lauderdale. They had several ideals or suggestions on what they think it should be, I had to throw my 2 cents in and said it should be done by region or county not state wide, which it is now I think there are a couple counties that stop on jan 7th but I was wondering what the concensus was across the state.

note: two of the guys complaining shoot 4-6 does a year

YES, in the 3 counties I have hunted in over the past 3 years. A definite YES. Every county in the state doesn't have black belt deer density, or Jackson county deer density and it's time the hunters recognize that. The state is not going to.

I don't understand why deer hunters can't police themselves and do what's right!! Is it that hard to apply some self-discipline and NOT shoot does if you don't need to?

on a side note...what ya'll see and whats there ain't always the same thing in regard to deer numbers.

I hunted one of the first DMAP clubs in Al many years ago. It was badly out of whack. Four hunters on four fields could each see 40-50 deer on the same evening.

We started shooting does only, no bucks of any size allowed. 50 does on 1800 acres the first year. Deer sightings went to hell, maybe see 3-4 deer on a greenfield. Landowner got nervous and called a halt o doe shooting a week before season ended, maybe 45 does already killed.

First week of Feb, on a cold still morning, he saw 100+ deer on a drive thru the property. Next year we were at it again....

I agree with Bucktrot. It's recognizing what your particular land needs and then disciplining yourself to do that. I call it being a good steward of what The Lord has given to us. We shoot 2 per member on our club; then meet on Jan 1st to see where we are and if we need to quit or try to kill more. If we killed 2 per member that would be almost 100 does. Last year we killed 31 and everyone was happy. This is on 3500 acres in Winston. I also bow hunt only 60 acres in St Clair and if we can kill 10 does off of it we would feel like it was a good start:) it has too many. It's in the edge of a subdivision with our big does weighing in at 75-80 lbs. Like Fur said; different areas have different needs!

I agree with Fred. What's seen and what's there aren't always in lockstep.

If hunters want to see numbers, fine. Seeing 20 or 30 deer a sit can be done. That's fun and good for kids, too. Kind of like having an overpopulated farm pond where they can get a nibble on every toss of a cricket, if you don't mind stunted fish.

If hunters want to "grow big bucks" and "see the rut" then it takes work and dedication in a true year-round management program involving killing does along with habitat management (fire, timbering, grasses to hide fawns, etc.) and predator management (more than shooting whatever coyotes trot out during the season).

Agree 100%...If you need to shoot more shoot em..If you don't,don't.I use to shoot alotta does when I needed to and now I don't.I shoot does during bow season.If I don't get any during bow season I usually don't shoot but one for the freezer.Its not rocket science.Like bucktrot said.
its self-discipline.

This^^^^, nobody forcing hunters to shoot them. Sounds like those Goobers need educated that those 3 counties prolly have less deer than any other counties in the state. It's a no brainer.

I shoot 3-5 does each season. IF I get a buck that's just an added bonus. But, I'm on <300 acres and our place is only a portion of the core area for many deer. I don't think I'm over harvesting any does, personally.

I find it ironic that many people who WANTED buck limits vs education are now proposing education vs regulation on the dwindling deer numbers in many areas and antlerless harvest.

Actually, laughably funny!!!

Shoot what ever makes you happy. Although i would say for the most part we are shooting too many does. I think people confuse QDMA with kill every doe you see.

I agree with policing yourself like bucktrot said, but if you have a small lease surrounded by larger clubs that shoot lots of does, I don't know how well that works and your overall deer heard would definatly be affected.

X2 Danny. Amazing ain't it?

I thought they said we need the bureaucrats to decide these things for us.

Oh we need education. The hunters need educating and the some of the "biologists" need educating. I don't shoot does in my home county. No point in it. The problem is, I am very much in the minority. Most deer hunters now are trained by Big Buck TV and all they preach is to shoot more does.

I definitely agree that shooting does shuts down deer sightings. What it shouldn't have an effect on is trail camera census numbers, especially off season camera census numbers. If I don't see 'em and don't have pictures of 'em, odds are they aren't here.

Also, no doubt 2 of the counties I'm talking about have the lowest population in the state, but the state sees fit to lump these counties in the same pile with the counties that have 50 deer per square mile. One size fits all deer harvest strategies don't work.

From the minutes of the Conservation Advisory Board, May, 2007

Report of the Deer Study Committee
page 60

That's hilarious. What part of Selma does he hunt in? He probably has more deer in one of his fields than I have on my whole property.

we have plenty in those counties, need to look closer


deer ain't moving good since the acorns started raining down, they don't have to

heavy acorn crop=low sightings in areas with good acorn trees.

Okay I am going to say this! Listen good!

YOU CAN'T JUDGE YOUR DEER POPULATION BASED ON WHAT YOU SEE ON GREEN FIELDS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!