Interesting video about deer hunting...

[camlock]

http://www.whitetailproperties.com/vide ... of-hunting

A good video...I agree with a lot of it...HOWEVER, the last 45 secs or so, I think sound wonderful in this video but are not exactly realistic picture of the landscape in which we exsist. It's opposite, the deer is driving things to segregation (at least I know in Southern parts of MS). If you are connected or wealthy or I guess in the right places, deer hunting has never been better...but it's not all inclusive and easy and what not for everyone...it's an arms race that drives good men to act a fool in many cases.

[hillhunter]

I agree with you Cam, while it is better hunting and quality deer being killed here in the south, the opportunity to hunt is fast decreasing. However, I think there are many people who just refuse to hunt a WMA just from the stigma attached to it, and because of laziness. There are still those who would rather trespass than go to a WMA. This state really needs to update the penalties, especially repeat offenders for hunting from road and trespassing. Not play money either, a hundred bucks never deterred anybody from doing anything.... 2-3k would.

[stang67]

This is a conversation I enjoy. I think many great areas of the state have peaked. Whether they'll cycle back around is anyone's guess. I do not think the state of MS, on the whole, is getting better. I predict that many *good* areas today will be subprime in 5-10 years, like my area has regressed recently. To me, areas with majority leased land have been decimated. Few people are willing to pay $3000 and kill a sustainable number of bucks (I happen to believe its around 1 per 100 acres on above average land). Yet the state tends to relay a message that we need to kill more. It doesn't add up to me.

And I don't believe MS is a sleeper state either. Will said he knew of 10 booners? There are 20 acre wood lots in WI where a net Booner is killed every year with a bow.

[matador1]

I agree with you Cam, while it is better hunting and quality deer being killed here in the south, the opportunity to hunt is fast decreasing. However, I think there are many people who just refuse to hunt a WMA just from the stigma attached to it, and because of laziness. There are still those who would rather trespass than go to a WMA. This state really needs to update the penalties, especially repeat offenders for hunting from road and trespassing. Not play money either, a hundred bucks never deterred anybody from doing anything.... 2-3k would.

I agree alot with this. I was part of a conversation one time wher some locals were messing with a local roadhunter who wasn't afraid to speak his mind. His reply to their picking was basically "A trespassing ticket cost me $350, that means I can get caught ten times a year and not spend what you all spend on club dues". It's a lack of respect for the law adn the ramifications of getting caught. Same thing with a tag system. go through a mid western state and get caught with a deer not tagged and see what happens.
And our GWs are undermanned and handcufffed. they can't do their job for all the beaurocracy. There is alot that coudl be done to improve the overall situation.

Now with that bneing said, I do believe we are in a better position now than 20 years ago. If you can't or won't pay big dues for a club there are ample opportunities to kill both numbers of deer and nice deer on public land. If you are willing to work for it.

[stang67]

What's MDWFP doing with the house at Canemount anyway?

[peewee]

There is no doubt the deer hunting is 10 fold better than when I grew up (I am 39). The problem is there are alot less hunting opportunities. I am fortunate to be in a good club but it is a drive to get there. When I was a kid I walked out the front door and could go in several directions and shoot whatever moved and noone cared. Very few kids have these opportunity now due to the cost of hunting. The flip side is when kids do get to go hunting the deer hunting is more exciting than when I grew up. I can remember hunting all freaking year in and only seeing a handfull of deer. I about fell out last year when my daughter said "Daddy this is a slow morning" and we had seven different deer already pass us.