Opening day harvest down

[AT Hiker]

Approximately 400 from last year and 800 from the year before.

Is it weather, lack of interest, overall numbers down,etc? What's your guess? I didn't hunt so I definitely didn't contribute to the overall harvest.

*Then again if you add in the velvet hunt the numbers jump back up to 2016.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/amp.tennes ... 1410658002



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Andy S.]

From my other post:

Opening weekend kill (Statewide and WMA) was definitely down from years past:

2018 - 994 (opened Sep. 22nd, earliest calendar day in September it can open based on 4th Saturday in September)
2017 - 1,417
2016 - 1,808
2015 - 2,526
2014 - 2,765
2013 - 3,075
2012 - 3,127 (opened Sep. 22nd, earliest calendar day in September it can open)

 

[AT Hiker]

Thanks Andy! I didn't see the other post, my bad.

Those numbers are crazy though. I would like to see them correlated with statewide population estimates and license sales (assuming we could see archery specific sales).


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Andy S.]

I am tucked away in the southwest corner, so my perspective is limited to my area, but I can tell you for sure that the majority of people in my circle of friends/hunters/acquaintances either tried to hunt and got rained out (me), or did not even mess with it all all, due to the constant rain and unstable atmosphere. The area I hunt got 6"+ over the last 3 days.

 

[Andy S.]

Thanks Andy! I didn't see the other post, my bad.

No problem. I'm glad you started this thread as it has been on my mind all day, just not got around to it.

 

[megalomaniac]

The weather certainly hurt this year's kill, but obviously the declining trend is due to a decline in population... There are simply fewer deer in TN due to a combination of increased predation and 3 does/ day liberal limit in much of the state.

 

[tiecampdeerslayer]

Deer numbers are not down in southern middle TN, our trail cameras have been out all Summer and we're loaded with deer. In year's past our green fields have been up by opening day but with all the dry weather, we had to wait until this past week to plant. I'm going to assume the dry weather being the difference and the lack of food plots being up paired with the early Sept 22 opener and acorns not on the ground yet.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[lightsareout]

Weather here; this rain greatly affected my plans for hunting


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[TheLBLman]

The weather certainly hurt this year's kill, but obviously the declining trend is due to a decline in population....

Personally, I don't think the deer population density has much to do with this year's opening archery harvest being lower ON A STATEWIDE BASIS.
In relatively small localized areas, population density may be a larger factor, but not statewide.


I believe the #1 reason for the relatively low harvest this year is the weather.

The #2 reason (and the main reason for the annual "trending" of lower harvests) is a decreasing interest in early archery deer hunting by the vast majority of deer hunters.

The #3 reason (new this year) was the "velvet" hunt took away some of the "opening day" allure,
combined with fact that many those who participated in the August velvet hunt had already got "going" out of their systems.

 

[Atchman2]

The weather is what took me out of it. Not the rain, but the heat is just too much.

 

[TheLBLman]

Think about it . . . . . .

"Opening Day" regardless of whatever season segment,
simply no longer has the great allure of the traditional "OPENING DAY" of Deer Season.

'OPENING DAY" was once a time that actually happened closer to just once a year,
right before Thanksgiving, and it was a much bigger deal than today.

The archery opener just isn't what it used to be,
and this has very little to do with the deer population,
which is actually higher statewide than in times past when
the archery opener was a much bigger deal.

 

[catman529]

Weather sucked here. I went both mornings but no evenings, and I left early on Sunday morning cause the rain got too bad.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

 

[PickettSFHunter]

It rained here where I live nearly constantly the two days. Big EHD die off for us last year, low fawn recruitment this year. Recipe for decline. I've seen more bear kill pics than deer. Also more bear on cameras than deer.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[muddyboots]

This is my personal opinion. Since unit L started my deer sightings at this time of year has went way down. It's just not as much fun to me as it used to be. Used to on opening morning of bow season it was a matter of how many deer I
Was going to see and if they got close enough. Now with deer sightings way down and limited range of archery equipment I just don't try the kill does as hard as I used too.

 

[Rakkin6]

Weather up here in Clarksville has been horrible. I didn't even attempt to get out this weekend in Clarksville or on Fort Campbell.

 

[TDW05]

It was simply too hot and had other obligations and I think that had to play a huge factor.

 

[MUP]

The weather(heat) kept me out of the woods on opening weekend, and will likely keep me out the the next week or so as well.

 

[rolltide22]

I had to work Saturday morning, complained about the heat Saturday evening so I watched football, and complained about the rain Sunday evening. In short, I stayed at the house.

 

[megalomaniac]

I dunno... most of the state biologists in all southeast US states are in agreement that the deer population is declining. Many would argue that is a good thing. But fewer deer in the population usually translates to a lower harvest.

MS biologists recognized it a few years ago and publicly admitted it last year. Doe limits were reduced in areas with the greatest population declines as a consequence

Sent from my SCH-R970X using Tapatalk

 

[TheLBLman]

I dunno... most of the state biologists in all southeast US states are in agreement that the deer population is declining. Many would argue that is a good thing. But fewer deer in the population usually translates to a lower harvest.

Correct.
But while the population has been declining in some areas, it has been expanding in others.
STATEWIDE in TN, we have more deer now than we had over two decades ago, when archery deer hunting was much more popular (here in TN).

I'm just thinking the decline in interest for early archery is driven more by other factors than by our current statewide deer density.

Do agree that deer density is a factor, and generally when more deer, more interest in hunting them by the masses of potential hunters.

 

[TheLBLman]

Still, if we measure the number of deer available for harvest per collective day of deer hunting,
it's probably much higher than in times past?
This should be true whether we're talking archery or gun hunting?

We're in the same ballpark of having the same number of licensed deer hunters we had a couple decades ago.

But that average hunter is spending fewer days afield annually deer hunting, including the fact that many once avid bowhunters have totally quit early bowhunting, as they're realizing their enthusiasm is more about effective deer hunting than any enthusiasm for accepting the handicap of less effective weapons.

 

[tiecampdeerslayer]

Has anyone given thought to the new law for transporting deer across state lines? Could this have deterred some from hunting opening weekend or from releasing an arrow? I live just across the state line into AL and know many who live in AL and hunt TN, some are waiting until cooler temps before harvesting a deer. This probably isn't a major factor but could be a minor factor in harvest being down.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Mike Belt]

Probably a multitude of reasons and then scramble in the difference in given areas. The thrill of opening day doesn't seem to have the appeal it once did. I think this is in large part because of the changes in doe harvests. Prior to the liberal regulations we have now if you wanted to kill a doe during the season it almost exclusively had to be done during archery season. In most of the state now you can take one at will during any season all season long and consequently, the urgency to put meat in the freezer has waned. In addition, because of the liberal regulations over the past few years deer numbers may be down considerably in certain areas. This, along with a good percentage of hunters aging and not having the drive they once did, the extreme heat usually associated with the opening of archery season, and the non-stop hunting seasons allowing deer hunting throughout the entire fall and winter season; all contribute to the lack luster appeal of having to be in a stand opening weekend of archery.

 

[chris1976]

Approximately 400 from last year and 800 from the year before.

Is it weather, lack of interest, overall numbers down,etc? What's your guess? I didn't hunt so I definitely didn't contribute to the overall harvest.

*Then again if you add in the velvet hunt the numbers jump back up to 2016.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/amp.tennes ... 1410658002



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I think with the growing number of people pursuing mature bucks and the more we learn about mature buck behavior, we are seeing less hunters wanting to go afield early season when chances are pretty low on these older deer. I have been a dedicated early season hunter all of my life. But in the last few years I have been waiting until pre rut to hunt my farm. Weather is better, there are less snakes and insects to deal with AND there are more rutting bucks because I haven't alerted them by stinking up the woods during October. Hunt smarter not harder.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[AT Hiker]

I'm sure the new CWD laws play a small role in the harvest numbers for Archery opener but that still doesn't change that a very obvious trend is happening.

My guess is hunter participation is down and the desire to shoot "any" deer is fading away.
In my area, Deer numbers are definitely down from the hay day but I wouldn't say it's a bad thing.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[MUP]

Approximately 400 from last year and 800 from the year before.

Is it weather, lack of interest, overall numbers down,etc? What's your guess? I didn't hunt so I definitely didn't contribute to the overall harvest.

*Then again if you add in the velvet hunt the numbers jump back up to 2016.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/amp.tennes ... 1410658002



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I think with the growing number of people pursuing mature bucks and the more we learn about mature buck behavior, we are seeing less hunters wanting to go afield early season when chances are pretty low on these older deer. I have been a dedicated early season hunter all of my life. But in the last few years I have been waiting until pre rut to hunt my farm. Weather is better, there are less snakes and insects to deal with AND there are more rutting bucks because I haven't alerted them by stinking up the woods during October. Hunt smarter not harder.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I'm also in this camp.

 

[AT Hiker]

I think with the growing number of people pursuing mature bucks and the more we learn about mature buck behavior, we are seeing less hunters wanting to go afield early season when chances are pretty low on these older deer. I have been a dedicated early season hunter all of my life. But in the last few years I have been waiting until pre rut to hunt my farm. Weather is better, there are less snakes and insects to deal with AND there are more rutting bucks because I haven't alerted them by stinking up the woods during October. Hunt smarter not harder.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I sorta fall into this. I also have less places to hunt so the ones I do have I keep the pressure off until I think it's best to go (closer to rut).



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Shooter77]

I lost my lease at he beginning of the year and didn't really have much good options for season. So for the first time in 29 years I missed opening day/weekend. I've consistently killed 2 does opening weekend for the past 6 years. 2012 I got 3 does & a buck opening day and my dad scored on a buck & doe that day off the same farm. I've really just not been excited about hunting this year at all! hope something changes soon.

 

[mattmillard510]

I think the 2 buck limit and more people self imposing antler restrictions plays a role

Weather played a role

Lower number of hunters

I personally wouldn't read too much into it. We worked Saturday and got out Sunday. I filmed my buddy shoot this one

Then he filmed me tag out Sunday evening

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[gator-n-buck]

Buck Limit, Weather, full moon, temps, and velvet season. I'm sure the buck limits have contribute to the #s going down the past several years.