countryboy89 Posted October 9, 2009 Report Share Posted October 9, 2009 so i was wondering how many of u guys from michigan are passin up the smaller ones this is my first year doin it and already passed up 4 bucks this year Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Kid Posted October 9, 2009 Report Share Posted October 9, 2009 yup been doing it for a couple years,, passed up 14 bucks last year, but it doesn't help a whole lot when my neighbor shoots small bucks but i just got to take that chance... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
countryboy89 Posted October 9, 2009 Author Report Share Posted October 9, 2009 ya thats my problem i got one set of nieghbors that shoot what ever moves and i ask if they could pass the small ones up this year but they said no. i think michigan needs to go to a rule like nothin smaller then a 6 point. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slash Posted October 9, 2009 Report Share Posted October 9, 2009 is there a limit of bucks you can shoot? if so, at least they can only shoot that limit a year and the ratio to the number that you let walk to the number they shoot seems that it will work in the long run, the older they get the wiser they get and the harder it will be for everybody to shoot them so you could have a chance down the road. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
countryboy89 Posted October 9, 2009 Author Report Share Posted October 9, 2009 ya the limit is onlly 2 bucks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
craig mack Posted October 10, 2009 Report Share Posted October 10, 2009 If the state went to a one buck rule, you would see a major improvement. I try to stick to atleast 6 point or better but if it gets to late season and I have nothing in the freezer, I shoot what I can. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StrictlyWhitetails Posted October 11, 2009 Report Share Posted October 11, 2009 Passing Michigan Bucks I have been fortunate to hunt 1-2 farms where I had sole hunting permission. Then most of the other places I hunt are shared (with many people) or state land. The only thing you can do is pass the smaller bucks yourself. Hopefully they will make it another season. And some do. I've seen good results. But in MI (or anyplace with heavy pressure) you have to change your technique to get older class bucks. Most hunters are not willing to make that jump or put in the time. And that means eating tag soup. But I'm ok with that because I just fill the freezer with does. I'd rather take 1 wall hanger a year vs. two year old bucks in a season. Back to the farms with solo permission. If you have the opportunity to manage a farm this works. But MI often does not have large tracks. Even 200 acres is not enough. Those bucks will jump the fence where you're at the mercy of the neighboring hunters. In this scenario, you will see older bucks but because the neighbors kill anything that is brown you still need to hunt hard. But tread lightly and your property will be the sanctuary. And every year I am hunting state land. Last year one of the bigger bucks I chased was on state land. Yes, I am passing dozens of smaller bucks each year before finding something older. We have a long way to go in Michigan and everyone can take whatever size of buck they want. I like that rule. I'd like to see bigger bucks but the freedom to take whatever makes you happy is great. I can't blame someone for killing a yearling who hunts 2 days a year. If that makes him happy then awesome. Actually tonight I had a friend just call me because he took his first bow doe in four years. He sounded like a little kid and the excitement glowed over the phone. That was cool. If it's your decision; keep passing up the smaller ones. That's what I am doing but I also hunt a lot. More then I'd like to admit. Brian Miller Outdoor Writer and Speaker www.strictlywhitetails.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doc Posted October 11, 2009 Report Share Posted October 11, 2009 People are getting their terminology messed up. QDM is not antler restrictions and AR is not QDM. AR is just one small component of QDM. The two terms are not interchangeable. Doc Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Randy Posted October 11, 2009 Report Share Posted October 11, 2009 but it doesn't help a whole lot when my neighbor shoots small bucks but i just got to take that chance...Your right, you have to take that chance. It will payoff in the long run... i got one set of nieghbors that shoot what ever moves and i ask if they could pass the small ones up this year but they said no.One is the keyword. Start by showing them that you will restrain from killing the small ones. Sooner or later they will kill a bigger buck due to your efforts and they will see you are making a difference. is there a limit of bucks you can shoot? if so, at least they can only shoot that limit a year and the ratio to the number that you let walk to the number they shoot seems that it will work in the long run, the older they get the wiser they get and the harder it will be for everybody to shoot them so you could have a chance down the road.Right on Slash! Even 200 acres is not enough. Those bucks will jump the fence where you're at the mercy of the neighboring hunters. In this scenario, you will see older bucks but because the neighbors kill anything that is brown you still need to hunt hard. But tread lightly and your property will be the sanctuary. Brian Miller Outdoor Writer and Speaker www.strictlywhitetails.com You have some valid points but, 200 acres is plenty if you have the three ingredients it take to hold whitetails. Food Water and shelter. We started with 120 acres and I have a couple pics for proof. People are getting their terminology messed up. QDM is not antler restrictions and AR is not QDM. AR is just one small component of QDM. The two terms are not interchangeable. Doc Doc is right, however QDM is about showing restraint in harvesting 1 1/2 year old bucks, harvesting doe and providing the proper groceries for your deer to make a healthier deer herd. With that comes,....bigger bucks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
craig mack Posted October 11, 2009 Report Share Posted October 11, 2009 People are getting their terminology messed up. QDM is not antler restrictions and AR is not QDM. AR is just one small component of QDM. The two terms are not interchangeable. Doc Very true. The problem with Michigan is we have a unbalanced buck to doe ratio. You can take two bucks anywhere in the state but there are many areas where you can not get a doe permit. The area I hunt in the U.P. has AR's in place but no doe permits. I like the AR's but you have to keep the herd balanced and thats one of the reasons Michigan fails in their management practices, in my opinion. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doc Posted October 12, 2009 Report Share Posted October 12, 2009 The area I hunt in the U.P. has AR's in place but no doe permits. I like the AR's but you have to keep the herd balanced and thats one of the reasons Michigan fails in their management practices, in my opinion. We have places here in NY where no doe permits along with AR would be the same as telling hunters there that they are welcome to spend their money on licences, but you have next to zero chance of getting a deer. Generally speaking when permits are cut down or eliminated in a Wildlife Management Unit, it means that there is an extreme shortage of deer there. Adding AR on top of that situation would be like calling off hunting season. What a great way to pare a few more hunters from our ranks. Doc Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MichiganHunter Posted October 12, 2009 Report Share Posted October 12, 2009 (edited) I havent been deer hunting yet (got a bear tag I'm still working on) but last year I passed up 9 buck total...all just too small....and did my part in doe controle...taking 3, my dad got 2, cuz on 1, uncle got 2.....wow 8 does...alot more than I thought but we see 20 to 30 does a week per person...so it's not even enough but it helps....this year i'm taking more and giving to sportsman aginst hunger. Edited October 12, 2009 by MichiganHunter Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikewink Posted October 12, 2009 Report Share Posted October 12, 2009 I hunt in the U.P. last year they instituted an antler restriction on both bucks. one buck has to have 3 points on one side. The second buck has to have 4 on one side. But that is only if you buy the combo tags. Not sure about the separate tags. I think you can shoot anything you want. It is hard when every one around you has the mentality if it's brown it's down. But, we are working on taking some does. If we see big bucks in the process then good. We have a buck to doe ratio of probably 15 to 1. Makes it hard to hunt bucks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jdavis Posted October 12, 2009 Report Share Posted October 12, 2009 I've been doing it for the past few years, usually pass on 10-15 bucks per year. We also planted our first food plots this year which have been amazing. I've got a similar problem with our neighbors, once gun season rolls around any deer on their property is fair game. But it's their property and they can do as they please with it. I've talked with them about QDM and passing on the smaller bucks but they didn't seem real interested. I figure if one of the 10-15 bucks I passed up makes it to the following year then it was worth it. I try not to disturb our woods much during the gun season, this way when the neighbors run them off their property they have somewhere safe to stay. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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