Growing up in the late 80's and early 90's when you could legally take 15 or more bucks, I can't believe I'm asking this. How would you guys feel about shorter deer seasons? I feel like our 100+ day season is way too long. And a one buck limit would be nice. Make archery season basically the month of October. Muzzle loader is one week after juvenile. And rifle is from the first weekend in November until Sunday after thanksgiving. And I understand everyone who depends on deer meat. Let's keep the generous doe tags. Two to three years of that, I believe would drastically improve the age class of bucks in tn.
Looking for opinions on season date changes
- Thread starter Monk74
- Start date
Why in the wide world would I voluntarily give up a situation where I could hunt any day I wanted to from September-January? My opinion? Absolutely not on all suggestions.
I'd be for this
Kritter Gitter
Well-Known Member
I think you have lost your mind!! The 2 buck limit I think is already helping and by the look of some of the deer posted on here, we have pretty good bucks now. They screw us on duck seasons already and now the draw hunts too. Don't give em any more ideas on new ways!!
Leave everything alone
Finally someone asked my opinion.
I propose a 1 day season per hunting weapon? One Wednesday in Sept for archery. One for muzzle loader in November. One day for rifle in December.
Keep the two buck limit but put a rule no more than one buck per weapon and only one buck per day.
All deer must be self processed.
I propose a 1 day season per hunting weapon? One Wednesday in Sept for archery. One for muzzle loader in November. One day for rifle in December.
Keep the two buck limit but put a rule no more than one buck per weapon and only one buck per day.
All deer must be self processed.
Doecrusher
Well-Known Member
Id be for to increase the archery to what rifle is now and make rifle what archery is now. Keep the two buck limit.
NO
Out before lock down ......
BSK
Well-Known Member
I see no problems with the buck age structure in the areas where I work (Western Middle TN). Maybe other areas have a buck age structure problem, but not in my region. I would hate to see even further restrictions that would produce no positive results (in my area).
The deer in unit cwd are so scared for there life I witnessed a woodpecker tapping a tree yesterday clearing an entire field of doe's. It's been an all out assault here. All the processors are at maximum capacity for the second year in a row. Not sure how much longer we'll be "trophy hunting" here and it's not because of cwd it's because the handling of it.
Kirk
Well-Known Member
No.
poorhunter
Well-Known Member
I'd be for 2 or three buck limit either one. Keep bow season as is, but move gun season to first Saturday in November to weekend after Thanksgiving. Take a week off and have two weeks muzzle loader. I'd be fine to make muzzle loader doe only too. No matter what, in my opinion, there way too many days with guns in the woods. I'd stop the 3 does a day too, not because so many actually shoot three a day but because it sends a message that screams kill all you can no matter what and bring all your friends too.
poorhunter
Well-Known Member
Scratch all that....TN has such a long rut season depending on where you live that this wouldn't work.
If you want to cut back on season length, eliminate archery season. Then keep the two buck limit.
I like the extra time so that I can spread out my pressure over a greater time period, not hunt every day. And I don't get antler envy, either
I like the extra time so that I can spread out my pressure over a greater time period, not hunt every day. And I don't get antler envy, either
Bone Collector
Well-Known Member
NOPE. We lowered the buck limit from 3 to 2 and there was no biological reasoning for it, just guys that could bend the ear of the commission wanting their vision of what they thought deer hunting should be in TN pushing their view points on others.
season is fine, limits are fine.
one issue I see is this plan doesn't take into account that a lot of the southern counties do not see a rut until December. So you want to take away their opportunity to hunt the rut, because you think it will grow bigger bucks for you? Seems fair
Also in Mid TN we have a trickle rut every year with the main part in Nov, the secondary in Dec. and usually a small pop in January that is outside of season or at least when you can shoot bucks (unless you're a juvi).
season is fine, limits are fine.
one issue I see is this plan doesn't take into account that a lot of the southern counties do not see a rut until December. So you want to take away their opportunity to hunt the rut, because you think it will grow bigger bucks for you? Seems fair
Also in Mid TN we have a trickle rut every year with the main part in Nov, the secondary in Dec. and usually a small pop in January that is outside of season or at least when you can shoot bucks (unless you're a juvi).
A lot of rutting activity doesn't even start until December for a lot of southern Tennessee hunters.
Our buck age structure seems fine here. No need to take any more opportunity away from deer hunters.
Our buck age structure seems fine here. No need to take any more opportunity away from deer hunters.
Quick question for you Monk. How many States in addition to Tennessee do you hunt, if any?
1 season oct1 - jan 31
any weapon
any weapon
1 buck per weapon, 3 weeks archery , 2 weeks of muzzleloader , and 1 week of gun on public land. People that fall under landowner exemption any weapon no limit from the start of September
TNMountain
Well-Known Member
I'd like to see the season start Mid October for archery, 1 week muzzleloader before thanksgiving , then 2 weeks rifle starting Saturday after thanksgiving, then back to archery until January 31!
catman529
Well-Known Member
No and no.
There are places that are managed for trophies, and that's a good thing.
But on a statewide level, herd health and hunter opportunity are the goals. Gotta have something for every type of hunter while keeping the deer herd as a whole in mind.
I heard land is cheap in Kentucky, you could always start house hunting up there. Then you'd have your one buck limit and shorter gun season that you want.
There are places that are managed for trophies, and that's a good thing.
But on a statewide level, herd health and hunter opportunity are the goals. Gotta have something for every type of hunter while keeping the deer herd as a whole in mind.
I heard land is cheap in Kentucky, you could always start house hunting up there. Then you'd have your one buck limit and shorter gun season that you want.
Leave it alone! If you want bigger bucks let 2.5 and 3.5 year olds walk. Work on deer habitat in the off season. Don't shoot many does that is what makes bucks and draws them in during rut. I know a guy that shoots everything that he sees and he can't understand why he doesn't see big bucks.
Winchester
Well-Known Member
NO, we have it great in TN right now, best its been in modern history and actually still getting better. Why in the world give up so many great opportunities when nothing major is wrong to start with??
catman529
Well-Known Member
Exactly. I had to leave a heavy horned mature deer that was showing up in daylight on public land because I tagged out. I guess I'll be after him again next year. We've got something for everyone, plenty of season for people to fill their freezer or chase the big one, or both.
A shorter season wouldn't hurt my feelings but as it is now if I don't want to hunt when it's open I don't. Other than the Presidents Island hunt in October I've hunted one day and that was opening day of muzzleloader. The longer season actually gives me more options to hunt if I can and want to. One buck limit wouldn't bother me either as some years I don't even kill one.
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