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tn24

tn24

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Heard anything or seen any pictures from the Presidents Island hunt this weekend?
 
Five of us hunted the island. Collectively we saw three shooters (one on scout day) and killed one. Weather was terrible but all of us could have shot at decent deer but not meeting the regs. Primarily 8 pointers in the 100"-120" range but one pretty 18-19" wide 6 pt. From what we could tell from observations and the pictures of the deer checked in, the infamous 22" wide slick 8 pointers aren't quite what they have been reported. I assume it just makes people feel better saying they could have killed a GIANT 8 pt. I'm not saying those deer don't exist but on average it was likely 17"-19" wide.

For those that think that lowering the antler restrictions would not change the number of deer killed or the quality of the hunt moving forward is crazy. After sitting in the stand daylight to dark in the rain and wind, a (bonus bow buck) 115" 8 pt. doesn't look bad at all. We likely would have killed or attempted to kill 5 instead of 1, resulting in 4 less 3 1/2 year old bucks next year. Those 4 - 3 1/2 bucks are exactly one more than we saw during the hunt. At the end of the day, even hunting unpressured deer, 6 1/2 old deer still don't act like 2 1/2 old deer.
 
Wow, looks to be the worst year I can recall for antlers... biggest buck looks to be only mid 130's, and many of the kills were 110's. ?just a fluke or is the loss of ag contributing to decline in antler quality
 
I am 9 points in but sort of second guessing myself at this point. I am so far in that there is no turning back. I am aware of the antler restrictions and knew it when I put in for the hunt. I understand , but why is it ok to shoot a 2.5 year old ten pointer but not okay to shoot let's say a 5.5 year old 8 pointer? And that question is not directed towards anyone person but just wondering from a management perspective why is 9 points the standard for this hunt? So a hunt that holds 30 people on the island and 30 on ensley would go downhill if you just had a 4 on one side or 15 inch spread rule? Understand I knew the rule when I applied and will go by it when I get drawn, however could someone please explain the concept ? Thanks!
 
The rule was explained to me that 9 or better cuts out most of the 3 1/2 year old deer out of the shooter category. They think that's easier than having people judge body size and guess on age being 4 1/2 or older. The hunt from what I've seen is not what it was since the flood. Also no agriculture would be a sure negative. I promise if you hunted there pre flood it would definately be worth waiting 10 years to hunt. I saw more shooter bucks in 3 days than I had seen in my whole life. I saw over 30 bucks in 3 days. 13 of them I would have shot. 4 met the 9 or better. Best weekend of bowhunting I've ever had.
 
On highly productive river bottoms, a significant portion of the yearlings and almost all 2 year olds (except the ones with the poorest antlers) would be legal with 4 on a side or 15" spread. The agency has to have a legally enforceable regulation and tooth wear or body conformation are by definition, subjective.


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deerfever":1u8nzrbe said:
I am 9 points in but sort of second guessing myself at this point. I am so far in that there is no turning back. I am aware of the antler restrictions and knew it when I put in for the hunt. I understand , but why is it ok to shoot a 2.5 year old ten pointer but not okay to shoot let's say a 5.5 year old 8 pointer? And that question is not directed towards anyone person but just wondering from a management perspective why is 9 points the standard for this hunt? So a hunt that holds 30 people on the island and 30 on ensley would go downhill if you just had a 4 on one side or 15 inch spread rule? Understand I knew the rule when I applied and will go by it when I get drawn, however could someone please explain the concept ? Thanks!
Click to expand...

They probably assume most people don't have a clue what they are looking at as far as aging deer goes and it would be a kill fest on younger deer. 4 on one side Is the most ridiculous idea ever...... right there with the counties in the flood plain being in unit L, a month and a half rifle season, shooting hen turkeys, sky busting ducks, driving a Prius, and being the gender that you choose.
 
I see what you mean , I am guessing 30 guys with bows who have waited 10 to 15 years for a hunt would slaughter the small bucks if they changed the 9 point rule at all. It would be a kill fest for sure! I guess it would be detrimental to the whole hunt if a man shot a 140 inch 8 pointer, I am guessing the gun hunters on the private by the island go by the 9 point rule also. Let's drop the 4 on one side rule because obviously the guys up here at catoosa don't have a clue on big deer. I guess why not an 8 point rule instead of 9? I am guessing regardless of what your observations where that some of those big 8 pointers do exist on the island and ensley units and some guys do see 8 pointers that are 140 inches or better and some of those deer will always be 8 pointers. Again not complaining just can't grasp the concept of your good on a 2.5 year old 10 but not a big mature 8. Yes maybe someone does shoot a small 8. How is that different than a small 9 or 10? I appreciate you guys answering my question and again I knew the rule when I started applying! I must go get in my Prius and hit the road now! Lol
 
They are not trying to see if 30 bowhunters are successful they are trying to let 5 or 6 guys kill the buck of a lifetime and they deem the 9 or better rule the best way to do that. I watched a 135 8 walk around my stand for 10 minutes. Man he was awesome.
 
More small young bucks than older big antlered deer killed this year it looks like, I think multiple 2 and 3 yr olds were killed with only a couple of 4 and 5 yr olds killed, if the pics I saw were all that was killed?
 

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