We are getting screwed in Decatur County - Season Dates

[Core Lokt]

Had a buck chase a doe by yesterday. Glad we have 200 AC of the club in Fl. It's sad to be excited about the rut and depressed about the season going out in the same thought. Sure you can kill a big buck out of rut but I have a question. Why do all hunters take their vacation during the rut????

 

[JPoutdoors23]

Lord help y'all are all butt hurt about something that really isn't that important. If you can't kill a mature buck between the days listed you might wanna redefine your hunting abilities. There is never gonna be any laws that make everyone happy it is impossible. Be happy with what ya got find a way to make it work for you and not complain so much places up north have two weeks to hunt period. Be glad you got January 10th they could make it December 10 th

I hunt 3 miles north of the Florida line, it's a little different animal down here. Tons of poachers, night hunters, hunters hunting out of season, and mainly rifle hunters. I've even had new bucks showing up in February on my cameras looking for does. Have you ever questioned why there's only a 2-3 week season up there? What's their reasoning behind it? Low population? I always seek to understand before forming an opinion. Wish it could be different up there!!

 

[GameMgr270]

In the SW corner, the big boys just begin to get on their feet after Christmas and usually get stupid right as the season ends. They are virtually non-existent until then. I routinely see the biggest and oldest bucks chasing doe's during the last two weeks of January into the first of Feb. I actually have had chasing into March some years and each year find scrapes in April. Spotted fawns into November and early December the next years confirm this.

Out of 15+ mature kills over many years, 75% have been from the Dec 26-Jan 15 period. We would have gotten more had our season reflected our rut periods better. The post rut happens after season and is usually the best time to get an old one. We just watch them on camera and from the cabin porch. Nothing worse than hunting a few big ones hard all season with no luck, only to watch them carelessly walk around in daylight within view of your campsite just after seasons end. Happens every year.

We don't want a longer season, we just want a season to match our region's rut and make for a more exciting hunting season. One season date for the whole state is just plain lazy from a management perspective. Create regions and dates tailored to each region based on THAT regions polling/research. Other states do it. It hurts no one. It only helps everyone. But since the Georgia DNR is always right I guess these other states who have done it based on "research and polling" are just...clueless?

Guys, take a look at this link and imagine applying some of it to Georgia. I don't see why anyone would object to having dates and bag limits being based on their county/regions needs and opinions:

http://m.myfwc.com/deer/dmu

http://m.myfwc.com/hunting/season-dates/

 

[JPoutdoors23]

Had a buck chase a doe by yesterday. Glad we have 200 AC of the club in Fl. It's sad to be excited about the rut and depressed about the season going out in the same thought. Sure you can kill a big buck out of rut but I have a question. Why do all hunters take their vacation during the rut????

Exactly, why do more dreams consist of seeing that buck you're hunting chasing a doe versus just coming out to feed right at dark? I wouldn't complain either way, but the rut is what excites most hunters. There are multiple reasons deer season and the most sought after game seasons are scheduled around the breeding seasons.

 

[maxwell42583]

Amen! I hunt SW Grady County and for my entire life the rut starts around Christmas or New Years Day. I have always been furious with the hunting season dates. Why the heck would you end the season when the deer hunting gets good. Heck, the Florida season right to the south of me by ten miles goes until February!! They have their seasons split up by regions not north and south! So dumb.

 

[JPoutdoors23]

In the SW corner, the big boys just begin to get on their feet after Christmas and usually get stupid right as the season ends. They are virtually non-existent until then. I routinely see the biggest and oldest bucks chasing doe's during the last two weeks of January into the first of Feb. I actually have had chasing into March some years and each year find scrapes in April. Spotted fawns into November and early December the next years confirm this.

Out of 15+ mature kills over many years, 75% have been from the Dec 26-Jan 15 period. We would have gotten more had our season reflected our rut periods better. The post rut happens after season and is usually the best time to get an old one. We just watch them on camera and from the cabin porch. Nothing worse than hunting a few big ones hard all season with no luck, only to watch them carelessly walk around in daylight within view of your campsite just after seasons end. Happens every year.

We don't want a longer season, we just want a season to match our region's rut and make for a more exciting hunting season. One season date for the whole state is just plain lazy from a management perspective. Create regions and dates tailored to each region based on THAT regions polling/research. Other states do it. It hurts no one. It only helps everyone. But since the Georgia DNR is always right I guess these other states who have done it based on "research and polling" are just...clueless?

Guys, take a look at this link and imagine applying some of it to Georgia. I don't see why anyone would object to having dates and bag limits being based on their county/regions needs and opinions:
http://m.myfwc.com/deer/dmu

Thank you, thank you, thank you!! I agree 100%. I'm not against any hunters and their beliefs / experiences in any part of the state. I want the best experience for everyone and with respect to the animal and what's going on in each area.

 

[maxwell42583]

Exactly, why do more dreams consist of seeing that buck you're hunting chasing a doe versus just coming out to feed right at dark? I wouldn't complain either way, but the rut is what excites most hunters. There are multiple reasons deer season and the most sought after game seasons are scheduled around the breeding seasons.

You do realize that buck movements increase greatly during the rut. Therefore yours odds of shooting a buck increases during the rut. Many people have jobs or children that prevent them from hunting all the time so they choose to hunt when their odds are the best. Not everyone owns their own land or lives near their lease.

 

[Dustin Pate]

Did any of you questioning about the new dates...1) attend any of the public meetings that were held the year prior to setting these new regulations or 2) email or call the DNR with you comments?

 

[Core Lokt]

FWC has thief issues too but at least they split the dates for different parts of the state!!

 

[JPoutdoors23]

You do realize that buck movements increase greatly during the rut. Therefore yours odds of shooting a buck increases during the rut. Many people have jobs or children that prevent them from hunting all the time so they choose to hunt when their odds are the best. Not everyone owns their own land or lives near their lease.

Yes, I was agreeing with you and furthering your point.

 

[JPoutdoors23]

Did any of you questioning about the new dates...1) attend any of the public meetings that were held the year prior to setting these new regulations or 2) email or call the DNR with you comments?

This is part of my original point in my original post, in which many who have responded neglected to read apparently. I didn't find out about any of this until stumbling across that GON issue with the vote in it, and that was a few days before the deadline. I emailed and called immediately and they took note of it. How many people knew nothing about it? I would say the majority knew anything of it in SW GA. I knew nothing of any meetings that have ever taken place.

 

[Dinosaur]

In the SW corner, the big boys just begin to get on their feet after Christmas and usually get stupid right as the season ends. They are virtually non-existent until then. I routinely see the biggest and oldest bucks chasing doe's during the last two weeks of January into the first of Feb. I actually have had chasing into March some years and each year find scrapes in April. Spotted fawns into November and early December the next years confirm this.

Out of 15+ mature kills over many years, 75% have been from the Dec 26-Jan 15 period. We would have gotten more had our season reflected our rut periods better. The post rut happens after season and is usually the best time to get an old one. We just watch them on camera and from the cabin porch. Nothing worse than hunting a few big ones hard all season with no luck, only to watch them carelessly walk around in daylight within view of your campsite just after seasons end. Happens every year.

We don't want a longer season, we just want a season to match our region's rut and make for a more exciting hunting season. One season date for the whole state is just plain lazy from a management perspective. Create regions and dates tailored to each region based on THAT regions polling/research. Other states do it. It hurts no one. It only helps everyone. But since the Georgia DNR is always right I guess these other states who have done it based on "research and polling" are just...clueless?

Guys, take a look at this link and imagine applying some of it to Georgia. I don't see why anyone would object to having dates and bag limits being based on their county/regions needs and opinions:

http://m.myfwc.com/deer/dmu

http://m.myfwc.com/hunting/season-dates/

Great post brother. You get it.

 

[Dinosaur]

Did any of you questioning about the new dates...1) attend any of the public meetings that were held the year prior to setting these new regulations or 2) email or call the DNR with you comments?

I sure would have if I'd known about them. I guess I need to sign up for updates for the future. They may try to take days from Jan, and have it come in Labor Day next.

 

[maxwell42583]

Yes, I was agreeing with you and furthering your point.

Sorry meant to reply the guy you replied....

 

[Watasha]

If season was ending in three days and I was mad about it, I wouldnt spend my last couple of days of the season posting comments on here fussing about it, I believe I'd be hunting. I've had great deer seasons and not so great deer seasons just like the rest of you fellas, but I've never considered my success or lack there of to be any fault of GA DNR.

 

[C.Killmaster]

This is part of my original point in my original post, in which many who have responded neglected to read apparently. I didn't find out about any of this until stumbling across that GON issue with the vote in it, and that was a few days before the deadline. I emailed and called immediately and they took note of it. How many people knew nothing about it? I would say the majority knew anything of it in SW GA. I knew nothing of any meetings that have ever taken place.

There were 4 series of public meetings (totaling 29 meetings) and comment periods over the last three years where a uniform, statewide season was discussed. Two for Georgia's Deer Management Plan and two for the normal regulation cycle that finalized the season dates. The meetings were advertised here on the forum (see below), through press releases, social media posts, and email blasts to >100,000 hunter email addresses. GON also mentioned it in a number of articles about the deer plan. Public meetings for regulations take place in January every other year and are advertised in the hunting regulations guide and all the other ways mentioned above. What more would you suggest be done to get the word out about regulation changes?

http://forum.gon.com/showthread.php?t=829895&highlight=public+meeting

http://forum.gon.com/showthread.php?t=828558&highlight=public+meeting

http://forum.gon.com/showthread.php?t=811687&highlight=public+meeting

http://forum.gon.com/showthread.php?t=777444&highlight=public+meeting

http://forum.gon.com/showthread.php?t=778418&highlight=public+meeting

http://www.georgiawildlife.com/node/3773

http://www.georgiawildlife.com/node/3842

http://www.georgiawildlife.com/node/3679

http://www.georgiawildlife.com/node/3473

 

[JPoutdoors23]

If season was ending in three days and I was mad about it, I wouldnt spend my last couple of days of the season posting comments on here fussing about it, I believe I'd be hunting. I've had great deer seasons and not so great deer seasons just like the rest of you fellas, but I've never considered my success or lack there of to be any fault of GA DNR.

How would I have seen 3 bucks locked down with does if I had not been hunting??? There's nothing wrong with standing up for what is right and being against laziness. I took last Thursday through this Wednesday off to hunt because of the better weather, and I will be there Saturday and Sunday. Too bad the DNR won't patrol the out of season hunters, road hunters, and poachers in my area after the season goes out, or in season for that matter.

 

[otis]

If season was ending in three days and I was mad about it, I wouldnt spend my last couple of days of the season posting comments on here fussing about it, I believe I'd be hunting. I've had great deer seasons and not so great deer seasons just like the rest of you fellas, but I've never considered my success or lack there of to be any fault of GA DNR.

The problem with this line of thought is that you could apply to it any season dates or periods set. For example, you could say the same thing if DNR set a two week season in July. Or April or whenever. Just go hunt and quit ur complain makes no sense.

Nobody is complaining about length of season. They are suggesting that the season accurately match deer behavior. DNR (earlier in this thread) stated they believed they do that, but the facts they use (studies, etc) don't even match up.

 

[JPoutdoors23]

There were 4 series of public meetings (totaling 29 meetings) and comment periods over the last three years where a uniform, statewide season was discussed. Two for Georgia's Deer Management Plan and two for the normal regulation cycle that finalized the season dates. The meetings were advertised here on the forum (see below), through press releases, social media posts, and email blasts to >100,000 hunter email addresses. GON also mentioned it in a number of articles about the deer plan. Public meetings for regulations take place in January every other year and are advertised in the hunting regulations guide and all the other ways mentioned above. What more would you suggest be done to get the word out about regulation changes?

http://forum.gon.com/showthread.php?t=829895&highlight=public+meeting

http://forum.gon.com/showthread.php?t=828558&highlight=public+meeting

http://forum.gon.com/showthread.php?t=811687&highlight=public+meeting

http://forum.gon.com/showthread.php?t=777444&highlight=public+meeting

http://forum.gon.com/showthread.php?t=778418&highlight=public+meeting

http://www.georgiawildlife.com/node/3773

http://www.georgiawildlife.com/node/3842

http://www.georgiawildlife.com/node/3679

http://www.georgiawildlife.com/node/3473

GA DNR has my email address through license purchases over the years, and I have never once got an email from them about any regulations or anything that I can remember. Reaching out to hunters through a subscriber website is not an accurate / efficient means of getting the word out. Maybe they should actually send emails to everyone who purchased a license and require an email address for that very purpose.

 

[otis]

There were 4 series of public meetings (totaling 29 meetings) and comment periods over the last three years where a uniform, statewide season was discussed. Two for Georgia's Deer Management Plan and two for the normal regulation cycle that finalized the season dates. The meetings were advertised here on the forum (see below), through press releases, social media posts, and email blasts to >100,000 hunter email addresses. GON also mentioned it in a number of articles about the deer plan. Public meetings for regulations take place in January every other year and are advertised in the hunting regulations guide and all the other ways mentioned above. What more would you suggest be done to get the word out about regulation changes?

http://forum.gon.com/showthread.php?t=829895&highlight=public+meeting

http://forum.gon.com/showthread.php?t=828558&highlight=public+meeting

http://forum.gon.com/showthread.php?t=811687&highlight=public+meeting

http://forum.gon.com/showthread.php?t=777444&highlight=public+meeting

http://forum.gon.com/showthread.php?t=778418&highlight=public+meeting

http://www.georgiawildlife.com/node/3773

http://www.georgiawildlife.com/node/3842

http://www.georgiawildlife.com/node/3679

http://www.georgiawildlife.com/node/3473

You've cited press releases and half a dozen forum posts quoting the press releases. I'd wager that less than 3% of the states registered hunters actively view this board. I've got no clue who monitors DNR press releases. And, from reading the press releases, it was a predetermined action where the DNR had already declared the state's hunters want a unified season.

As to what else could've been done? How about mailing a notice to each licensed hunter in the state about the proposals and upcoming actions. You'd get 100% notice and much greater participation than what this was, which appeared to be a way to achieve a predetermined objective and make it appear legitimate.