Michigan's new one buck rule

[steveodtw]

Michigan DNR just announced hunting rule changes for 2027 Deer Season. A one buck rule only allows hunters to buy a single buck license, or a combination buck and doe license.
It eliminates a second buck option. I think a lot of Michigan hunters with combo licenses passed up does to shoot the first 3-4-5 pointer, thinking they have meat and still could take that big buck. Resulted in way to many young bucks taken, leaving way too many does. I had some seasons where I saw over 20 does throughout the day and no bucks. I eventually would shoot a big doe. In Bovine TB areas of the state (where my deer camp is) they even sold special doe permits for $10-15, and even that didn't solve the imbalance.
It also eliminates the so called Rifle line which only allowed shotguns, pistols, muzzleloaders below line across the middle of the lower peninsula (more densely populated area). About 5 years ago they also allowed some larger bore straight walled rifle cartridges, bringing on the boom of the .450 Bushmaster rifles.

I haven't read all the small print of the new law changes, but this should get things moving.

 

[Ethang]

The Limited Firearms Zone restrictions is going to be a big one...it was moronic to say that a 30/30 or 45/70 was far too powerful to use in the Southern Lower, but a Inline Muzzle loader shooting Sabots, or a 450 Bushmaster or 41 Great Lakes was just fine...I am fine with the one buck rule, but think that doe permits should go back to $5. We have far too many does where I live.

 

[Mobuck]

From a different point of view: North MO had a '4 point rule' for around a decade prior to the CWD catastrophe. Protecting those 'dink' bucks lowered the overall antler quality noticeably. Maybe you ask why? Because those dinks were breeding does out in the open because they were protected while the big bucks were hiding in thick cover and doing less breeding. Now that we have CWD herd reduction tags on our north farm, we blast the dinks first. I think I shot 4 dinks last year and one good sized buck.

 

[krw]

If Deer didn't have horns, there would be a bounty on them. I think I hav said this before

 

[Yaworski]

I think a lot of Michigan hunters with combo licenses passed up does to shoot the first 3-4-5 pointer, thinking they have meat and still could take that big buck.

I'm not a hunter. Does it take more skill to kill a buck? Is hunting a buck more dangerous? Is the meat better?

 

[Xrayist]

Haven't hunted in many, many years, but I live in Colorado and they used to have, (still have?) a rule that you could only purchase one license, be it for bow or muzzle loader or modern rifle/pistol seasons. There were special licenses, but those were after the regular season ended or in certain overpopulated areas. But for arguments sake, let us say that you bought a license and took your chance during bow season and were not successful. Well you are done for the season. Now my cousin lived back east and he was able to buy a license for bow season and if unsuccessful bought a license for muzzle loader season, and if still unsuccessful, but one for modern rifle season. If he harvested a deer during the modern season, and he had paid, say, $30 for each license, then that deer "earned" the state $90, or $60 or $30 depending on when he was successful. Still only one deer, but a lot more money went to the Fish and Wildlife. In Colorado, whether or not you harvested a deer during your one shot (pun intended) you paid $30. Seems to me that if a state were serious about making money during hunting season, they would jump at the chance to collect up to 3x the amount for a single deer. May sound rambling, but economics is economics....

 

[gnappi]

I'm not a hunter. Does it take more skill to kill a buck? Is hunting a buck more dangerous? Is the meat better?

Maybe(*), no, and no(**)...

* Bucks are generally more wary and smarter than a doe and may t
** In my experience, younger animals are better eating regardless of sex.

PS, the best way to correct an "imbalance" is to close ALL taking of bucks and depending on population possibly followed by a 2 or more doe limit.

In the 80's New York had many deer roaming nearby Kingston eating the resident's ornamental trees, bushes and gardens. From what I read they still have an overpopulation problem.

 

[Mobuck]

I'd say it takes more self control to kill an older/bigger buck because quite often that requires passing up shots on smaller bucks or does.
'Doe' can have different meanings to different hunters and/or different locations. I/we target 'longhead' (older) does because we're trying to reduce overall numbers. It's a factor of fawn survival and older does are more successful.
Doe meat vs buck meat: In November/December, I field dress a lot more fat does than I do fat bucks. Does are just laying around the edges of crop fields while bucks are chasing from one place to another and/or fighting with other bucks.

 

[375hh1973]

I probably kill 6 does to every 1 buck.

Lot more of them in my area, they taste better anyway.

Target the long head ones too

 

[krw]

Well when you want good beef you dont kill an old Bull. When you want good venison You do not kill an old ruttin stinkn mature Buck. You can kill long nose does that can be tough as Sin. Some are still lactating early in Ark season. I like to eat the 1/2-2/3 grown yearlings. Lil does or button bucks make -0- difference