Game poor Wisconsin

In the UP outside of Menomonee. We are on 400 acres but surrounded by ag land with corn and alfalfa. The farmers have already killed loads of deer with the ag tags. Most go to the local zoo to feed the big cats. Of those 95 last year, which was more than normal, I'm sure many of us saw lots of the same deer. The 2nd day, the sightings dropped to around 35 which is still good.

King salmon, where in the world do you hunt that you see that many deer?

Doesn't sound complicated to me. You buy a regular tag or a combo tag. That seems simple to me. You don't have to worry about where you use them. No special zones all over like the CWD, HEZ, HRZ, etc...

As for the bucks and older bucks, we can't control what the neighbors shoot which is pretty true anywhere someone hunts. Our group are not trophy hunters either. Camp rule is 8 or better with no restriction on age. The group always gets multiple 8 or better bucks but never a P&Y or B&C or close to it for that matter. However, our group of 5 did see 95 deer on opening day last year and we see deer at every bow sit regardless of weather. That in itself is awesome for us.

So all those complicated rules and most bucks are still only making it to 2 years old in MI??

The thing with how MI does it is you can buy a "regular" buck tag which is good for any buck just like WI which is good for the younger hunters or meat hunters. If a person only hunted archery or gun and would limit themselves to one buck anyway, then that is the way to go. If a person has higher standards or wants a buck via archery or gun (or 2 in either), then the combo tag with the restrictions is a good way to go and is valid in either archery and/or gun.

Another thing in MI is that you can't buy more than one doe tag if you are not hunting private property. You can buy additional tags on private property.

I also love that you don't need to register deer or wear back tags in MI.

Don't bash my liking for MI as I still hunt WI too and usually kill my bigger bucks in WI. I do see far more deer where I hunt in the UP though but most bucks are 2.5s and younger.

Antler restrictions would be good in the way king stated. You only get one buck tag that you can kill anything with antlers no restrictions. But if you get 3pts and buy a second tag then you would have restrictions on both tags. I think that would help the bucks grow bigger but still allow some to shoot whatever they want. I'm fine with the youth hunt but I would like to see them have one week starting on a monday and go till Sunday but include all the hunts, deer, turkey, & duck.

Not sure if I'm on the antler restrictions band wagon. If I have low doe numbers in the area and my kid wants to take a animal. You know what they are taking. Antler restrictions will prohibit that. Than again if the population was backup to 30-35 deer per square we might not have to worry about taking an extra doe or 2. If you know what I mean.

I too agree with Bowbuckman. I second all of his suggestions and jump on the "Quality" vs "Quantity" bandwagon too. Antler restrictions and limited antlerless tags would be a great start. Seeing more deer and larger bucks is just a year or two away. In addition, why can't the DNR separate private land and public land when it comes to issuing antlerless tags?

I had never heard of the 3 point for the first buck and 4 point for the second rule in Michigan. Interesting...

I gotta agree with most of what buckbowman stated. Another thing is that that standard 9 day season with hunter's choice will (a) simply things with the lack of all the special seasons and rules and (2) will help increase the herd without all the doe slaughters. If people really need that many deer, they could buy more tags but it would cost far more which the DNR could use. Things used to be so much simpler back in the day.

The one thing I do disagree with is the reduction in bears. I am a big bear hunting fan and WI is a world class bear hunting state with both numbers and size. The population at 24k-36k is not too many when you consider there are around a million deer. There is room for both herds to be successful and WI is world class in both areas.

I am all for the reduction in wolves and coyotes though to a major extent. I think the bobcat population is fine and I can't wait until I get that tag which I am close on. All of my grand kids accumulate bear and bobcat points yearly as a gift from grandpa

Number one, it would lower the bear population. Number two there would be a few more deer to take for those hunters who would like to shoot one but hold off cause the population in certain areas is hurting as it is. Third it would stop the deer from going mostly nocturnal from the early gun seasons. Fourth it would make tons of hunters happy because the state finally listened to a few things the hunters have been telling them. Win Win situation all around. I am sure there are more than that. Oh and please don't think for one minute I am against kids hunting cause I'm not! My kids will hunt when they are 10 with me during the regular seasons. Oh and a big THANK YOU to those responsible for making that happen!

what would these changes accomplish? and or do?

I don't mind the youth hunt, but being able to hunt it for 6 years is a little overkill. At 14 and 15 they can hunt on their own during the regular season but not during the youth hunt, kind of weird. Not really a big deal though to me.

Youth hunt is the 6-7th thats the first weekend.

I personally would love to see us go back to the standard 9 day hunt only with hunter's choice and no bonus tags. Just like the good old days. If bonus tags must be sold, raise the price to like $50 and make some money. I would however keep the Youth hunt but have it the first weekend in October. I believe it is the 2nd weekend in Oct right now.

I kinda like what MI has in regard to buck tags too. You can either get an archery buck tag or a gun buck tag but not both unless you buy a combo tag. A combo tag requires 3pts or better on one side for 1 buck and 4 pts or better one side for the other buck.

Well Jzzzz for starters they should stop the unlimited tags on deer hunting. Raise the number of tags available for bear. That would be a good start. Maybe reanalyze thier current DPSM numbers and deer habitat numbers. Get rid of the Holiday hunts and the other early gun seasons. Kids can hunt when they are 10. That is special enough. These are all things that have been brought up in the past by lots of others. Nothing new. This would be a great start!