A message for the IDNR Deer Biologist..

Willie · Jan 16, 2024

Hello Everyone,

The NRC has just posted their meeting agenda for January 23rd. I have attached a copy of the agenda item that pertains to deer.

Current Meeting Agenda

www.in.gov

This is a link to their website.

This is just their first meeting regarding the changes to the deer rules that we have been talking about for a while. According to the new state law, there will be two (2) public comment periods for these proposed rules, both of which have an on-line or written option. If you send this information out to your blog, lists, or membership; please let them know that there will be instructions for making comments and the dates for that period will follow soon. It is important to follow those instructions for how to make a comment and do it within the specified time period to ensure their comments make it into the official record. If they just send their comments to me directly, I don’t think they will make it into the official record (because I work for DNR and not the Natural Resource Commission [NRC]).

This is a new process for commenting on proposed rules and we (DNR) do not know exactly how this will work. But we find out information from the NRC, I will be sure to pass that along.

Another important aspect that I want to point out are the numbers of antlerless deer that can be taken for each county. We are proposing to switch to a county bag limit system with a statewide bag limit on top of that. This will be different from the bonus antlerless system.

For the bonus antlerless system, the number of antlerless deer you can take is the number of county bonus antlerless deer + the number of archery antlerless deer (2) + the number of muzzleloader antlerless deer (1).

For example, Brown County this year had a bonus antlerless limit of three (3). But you could also take two (2) antlerless deer in archery and one (1) in muzzleloader season (assuming you did not take a buck with one of these licenses) for a total of six (6) antlerless deer.

In the proposed rules….the new Antlerless Bag Limit for Brown County would be a four (4). That is four total.

Each county has it’s proposed County Antlerless Bag Limit listed. In every county, the number listed is less than the number of historical bonus deer + archery + muzzleloader antlerless deer. And on top of that, there will be the Statewide Bag Limit of six (6) antlerless deer.

This is a big change from how this was done in the past, so it is important to understand the difference between the county bag limit system we are proposing and the county bonus antlerless quotas system we have been using.

Let me know if you have any questions.

joe

Joe N. Caudell, Ph.D.
State Deer Project Leader

TAB30-06 · Jan 16, 2024

I actually just got done reading the proposed rule changes! None of it seemed unreasonable. When does the end of season survey come out?

El Conquistador · Jan 16, 2024

Thanks for providing this information. I think something needs to be done to limit the generous anterless bag limits we have now. I have been deer hunting for over 40 years and we are getting close to what the deer populations was back in the 80's. I remember when we had a statewide anterless bag limit then the deer population exploded, now I feel from my experience from hunting in southern Indiana the deer population has declined drastically. I would be in favor of going back to an overall statewide bag limit.
I will be providing comments to the NRC on this matter.

bwframe · Jan 16, 2024

I'm a meat hunter. I guess I differ from some? I don't care for the DNR taking away deer hunting opportunities.

Especially the Late Antlerless Firearm Season...

312 IAC 9-3-4 (h): Removing the Late Antlerless Firearm Season

Indiana currently has a firearms season for antlerless deer from Dec. 26 through the first Sunday in January of the next year in counties with a bonus antlerless quota of four or more deer. This rule was initially proposed to try to significantly increase the harvest of antlerless deer, but research on that season found that hunters harvested antlerless deer later in the season in counties where that season is in place. A survey of deer hunters in 2021 found that only 24% of hunters used the season in the previous year and 38% of hunters reported hunting that season in the previous five-year period (see the 2020 Deer Report). When asked what the general level of opposition or support was for that season, the DNR found that 43% of hunters were supportive to some degree, and 27% were opposed to some degree. Therefore, because of the split interest by hunters for this season, the low use by hunters, and its ineffectiveness at changing the deer harvest, the DNR proposes to remove this season.

phylodog · Jan 16, 2024

Wholeheartedly in favor of reducing bag limits.

Willie · Jan 16, 2024

Natural Resources Commission to meet Jan. 23 at Fort Harrison State Park

The Indiana Natural Resources Commission (NRC) will conduct its next bimonthly meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 23, at Fort Harrison State Park.

The meeting begins at 10 a.m. ET at the park’s Garrison Ballroom, 6002 North Post Road, Indianapolis.

The agenda and downloadable related materials are posted at nrc.IN.gov/meetings-and-minutes/current-meeting-agenda.

two70 · Jan 22, 2024

Despite much complaining to the contrary, it seems the DNR is more than willing to listen to hunter complaints, even if those complaints take us back to the boom and bust harvest cycles of the late 90's and early 2000's.

tcecil88 · Jan 22, 2024

I am in agreement with most of the proposals except for getting rid of the late antlerless season. I have alot of trouble now drawing my bow with all the clothes on and it was nice being able to fill a tag that late in the season with a firearm. A buddy of mine and I filled tags that way in 2019 and it was one of the funnest hunts we had been on. We sat together and had 7 does come through in a group and we took two of them. We joke that there were bullets and and deer flying everywhere. It was a successful hunt and great times with a great friend.
I am usually a one deer a year guy. 1 deer provides enough meat for my wife and I as we eat alot of chicken and pork too. I am pretty picky about the deer I shoot. I typically pass on bucks 2 1/2 years and younger and pass on small does and does with fawns. As a result, I don't get a deer every year and I am good with it because of the restrictions I place upon myself. The cost of processing has alot to do with it too.

singlestacksig · Jan 22, 2024

bwframe said:
I'm a meat hunter. I guess I differ from some? I don't care for the DNR taking away deer hunting opportunities.

Especially the Late Antlerless Firearm Season...

312 IAC 9-3-4 (h): Removing the Late Antlerless Firearm Season

Indiana currently has a firearms season for antlerless deer from Dec. 26 through the first Sunday in January of the next year in counties with a bonus antlerless quota of four or more deer. This rule was initially proposed to try to significantly increase the harvest of antlerless deer, but research on that season found that hunters harvested antlerless deer later in the season in counties where that season is in place. A survey of deer hunters in 2021 found that only 24% of hunters used the season in the previous year and 38% of hunters reported hunting that season in the previous five-year period (see the 2020 Deer Report). When asked what the general level of opposition or support was for that season, the DNR found that 43% of hunters were supportive to some degree, and 27% were opposed to some degree. Therefore, because of the split interest by hunters for this season, the low use by hunters, and its ineffectiveness at changing the deer harvest, the DNR proposes to remove this season.

especially if they keep giving antlerless tags for free to archery .. If the antlerless population is really that low they should first start reducing the free tags , not take away the only time a guy might have to try to fill the one tag he can get..

model1994 · Jan 22, 2024

thanks for sharing

pappyon · Jan 27, 2024

every year its the same old crap. Face it our DNR leaders suck. If you want to reduce deer it is easy. Not by giving out endless tags either. The same guys that kill deer always get their deer. Spo many cannot get one. Here it is. allow a doe with a shotgun. Allow baiting. And for those who say its unethical you are ignorant. are all hunters in Michigan Wisconsin M<innesota Ohio Kentyucky and numerous other states unethical??? It isnt easy but it is easier for a guy or kid to bag a deer over bait. If too many were killed (which they say never are) then eliminate it the next year. This new rule changing idea ia about as confusing as it gets. The educated people in charge dont have a clue. I could give you so many examples where our DNR has dropped the ball because of ignorance it isnt funny. I used to help them at Kingsbury. The people running it told me and proved it to me that the same 10% of guys will kill deer and the others get skunked. Its true. Make it easier for the older or the kids to bag a deer. even whena deer comes in anything can go wrong. It isnt easy. Its just a bit easier.

greg · Jan 27, 2024

singlestacksig said:
especially if they keep giving antlerless tags for free to archery .. If the antlerless population is really that low they should first start reducing the free tags , not take away the only time a guy might have to try to fill the one tag he can get..

When are free tags allowed in archery season and who issues them?

greg · Jan 27, 2024

pappyon said:
every year its the same old crap. Face it our DNR leaders suck. If you want to reduce deer it is easy. Not by giving out endless tags either. The same guys that kill deer always get their deer. Spo many cannot get one. Here it is. allow a doe with a shotgun. Allow baiting. And for those who say its unethical you are ignorant. are all hunters in Michigan Wisconsin M<innesota Ohio Kentyucky and numerous other states unethical??? It isnt easy but it is easier for a guy or kid to bag a deer over bait. If too many were killed (which they say never are) then eliminate it the next year. This new rule changing idea ia about as confusing as it gets. The educated people in charge dont have a clue. I could give you so many examples where our DNR has dropped the ball because of ignorance it isnt funny. I used to help them at Kingsbury. The people running it told me and proved it to me that the same 10% of guys will kill deer and the others get skunked. Its true. Make it easier for the older or the kids to bag a deer. even whena deer comes in anything can go wrong. It isnt easy. Its just a bit easier.

Indiana is not in a reduction mode and hasn't for a few years….only in a reduction zone is over population

singlestacksig · Jan 27, 2024

greg said:
When are free tags allowed in archery season and who issues them?

firearms and ML are good for ONE deer, archers is good for TWO deer..

greg · Jan 27, 2024

singlestacksig said:
firearms and ML are good for ONE deer, archers is good for TWO deer..

Each Deer requires a second license…. One deer one license second deer requires a second license.

Bundle license is only license that is good for multiple deer.

Firearms license is Buck only….

natdscott · Jan 27, 2024

pappyon said:
every year its the same old crap. Face it our DNR leaders suck. If you want to reduce deer it is easy. Not by giving out endless tags either. The same guys that kill deer always get their deer. Spo many cannot get one. Here it is. allow a doe with a shotgun. Allow baiting. And for those who say its unethical you are ignorant. are all hunters in Michigan Wisconsin M<innesota Ohio Kentyucky and numerous other states unethical??? It isnt easy but it is easier for a guy or kid to bag a deer over bait. If too many were killed (which they say never are) then eliminate it the next year. This new rule changing idea ia about as confusing as it gets. The educated people in charge dont have a clue. I could give you so many examples where our DNR has dropped the ball because of ignorance it isnt funny. I used to help them at Kingsbury. The people running it told me and proved it to me that the same 10% of guys will kill deer and the others get skunked. Its true. Make it easier for the older or the kids to bag a deer. even whena deer comes in anything can go wrong. It isnt easy. Its just a bit easier.

Interesting perspective.

I'd typically have said something like "Not getting it done? Change, and get better."

...rather than changing the rules.

But I do understand your points, in the larger scheme of state population choices.

Mij · Jan 28, 2024

pappyon said:
every year its the same old crap. Face it our DNR leaders suck. If you want to reduce deer it is easy. Not by giving out endless tags either. The same guys that kill deer always get their deer. Spo many cannot get one. Here it is. allow a doe with a shotgun. Allow baiting. And for those who say its unethical you are ignorant. are all hunters in Michigan Wisconsin M<innesota Ohio Kentyucky and numerous other states unethical??? It isnt easy but it is easier for a guy or kid to bag a deer over bait. If too many were killed (which they say never are) then eliminate it the next year. This new rule changing idea ia about as confusing as it gets. The educated people in charge dont have a clue. I could give you so many examples where our DNR has dropped the ball because of ignorance it isnt funny. I used to help them at Kingsbury. The people running it told me and proved it to me that the same 10% of guys will kill deer and the others get skunked. Its true. Make it easier for the older or the kids to bag a deer. even whena deer comes in anything can go wrong. It isnt easy. Its just a bit easier.

greg · Jan 28, 2024

Mij said:

Easier is always the answer…

BTW…..you can use a shotgun now to kill a Doe! It's always been legal

Hawkeye · Jan 28, 2024

tcecil88 said:
I am in agreement with most of the proposals except for getting rid of the late antlerless season. I have alot of trouble now drawing my bow with all the clothes on and it was nice being able to fill a tag that late in the season with a firearm. A buddy of mine and I filled tags that way in 2019 and it was one of the funnest hunts we had been on. We sat together and had 7 does come through in a group and we took two of them. We joke that there were bullets and and deer flying everywhere. It was a successful hunt and great times with a great friend.
I am usually a one deer a year guy. 1 deer provides enough meat for my wife and I as we eat alot of chicken and pork too. I am pretty picky about the deer I shoot. I typically pass on bucks 2 1/2 years and younger and pass on small does and does with fawns. As a result, I don't get a deer every year and I am good with it because of the restrictions I place upon myself. The cost of processing has alot to do with it too.

" I have alot of trouble now drawing my bow with all the clothes on"

A call for the year-round nude bowhunting season? That would truly be a "primitive" hunting season!

pappyon · Jan 28, 2024

singlestacksig said:
firearms and ML are good for ONE deer, archers is good for TWO deer..

yes archers can take two deer but must buy 2 license. One for each deer.

A message for the IDNR Deer Biologist..

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