To hunt or not to hunt.

S

skhunter

CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Rating - 100%
304   0   0
Location
Lizard Lake, Sask.
Last year winter was terribly hard on the deer population here in Sask. I have been thinking about not hunting this year, not because I don't think I can get a deer but because the it will reduce the herd even further. Do you think us hunters should take some responsibility and not hunt for one season when the population suffers. I enjoy hunting every bit as much as the next guy, but let's face it none of us are going to go hungry if we don't shoot a deer. We could still buy a habitat certificate to support wildlife.
I shout the loudest about native hunting being hard on population, so am I being a hypocrite if I hunt when the population is suffering.
 
I'd buy a tag. You might get an itch to go out for a day or two if you have extra time. This way you can have the tag just so you can avoid the whole "seeing the biggest deer of your life but didn't have a tag" situation.

Low populations don't stop some Indians from having a free for all to the point where they have to shut down their hunts so the populations can rebound. I wouldn't call you a hypocrite, I'd call you a Native... just kidding ;)
 
My dad and I are in the same boat.
We each have 2 antlerless mule deer tags and a whitetail tag.

Went out and had 22-23 mule deer walk by us. Didn't even lift the rifle up. Lots of does and big fawns.

I know there was a thread about whether you would shoot the doe or fawn but I just couldn't shoot one.

Will be out on Friday looking for whitetail but it will have to be a nice buck before I shoot anything.
 
Pickles said:
My dad and I are in the same boat.
We each have 2 antlerless mule deer tags and a whitetail tag.

Went out and had 22-23 mule deer walk by us. Didn't even lift the rifle up. Lots of does and big fawns.

I know there was a thread about whether you would shoot the doe or fawn but I just couldn't shoot one.

Will be out on Friday looking for whitetail but it will have to be a nice buck before I shoot anything.
Click to expand...

Why get antlerless tags if you are not going to use them? IMO taking the correct number of antlerless is an important part of the harvest.
 
A couple of years ago we had a tough winter that really nuked the whitetail bucks in my zone. That year we only saw one and he was a little guy, maybe into his second year. We walked away from him without ever considering taking a shot. Same as OP, I just couldn't see reducing the population any more after the beating they took the winter before.


Mark
 
I have been hunting Saskatchewan as a Canadian resident for the past five years and have yet to meet a local who shoots anything but what they think would make book. I myself head out to Saskatchewan to shoot a trophy and nothing else. I will go home empty handed rather than shoot an up and comer
 
1899 said:
I suspect seasons would have been shortened or closed if there was a serious problem.
Click to expand...

Looking on the moose management debacle currently ongoing in BC would you be 100% confident that the game department would get it right? Or the past decisions (tri-palm and 10 point BS)?

The bottom line is that the population of deer in Zone 21 and 22 (I can't speak for others) took a pounding last winter. Lots of dead deer found as the snow receded and deer dying through the spring. I spent a month there this fall running around all over farm country. Not many deer out there. I personally would either buy the tag and eat it (so that the game department gets the revenue) or simply sit it out. Maybe clobber some coyotes to help keep the pressure off.
 
Tough one... I practice management on my local herd and know how many are out and about but that is me... Good on the op for asking the question...

It's always a struggle... I can only speak for ontario experience but can tell you it goes both ways... They don't give you extra tags during a boom because they are so far behind on reacting...

Tough call... If you are seeing few I would suggest being selective.. Jmop
 
danny45 said:
I have been hunting Saskatchewan as a Canadian resident for the past five years and have yet to meet a local who shoots anything but what they think would make book. I myself head out to Saskatchewan to shoot a trophy and nothing else. I will go home empty handed rather than shoot an up and comer
Click to expand...


Hello, we haven't met. I shoot what I think will make the menu.
 
skhunter said:
Last year winter was terribly hard on the deer population here in Sask. I have been thinking about not hunting this year, not because I don't think I can get a deer but because the it will reduce the herd even further. Do you think us hunters should take some responsibility and not hunt for one season when the population suffers. I enjoy hunting every bit as much as the next guy, but let's face it none of us are going to go hungry if we don't shoot a deer. We could still buy a habitat certificate to support wildlife.
I shout the loudest about native hunting being hard on population, so am I being a hypocrite if I hunt when the population is suffering.
Click to expand...

You could buy a habitat certificate to help buy a new office chair for someone in Regina.
 
Last edited:
If it is legal, it is going in my freezer. It is not my job to be an armchair biologist. I have read so many conflicting opinions on this very topic that I have decided that my job is to simply go out there and do what a hunter does.
 
Skhunter, I hear what you are saying and have been having this debate also. I am thinking I will buy a tag and wander around shooting coyotes while holding out for a new world record buck. So ya, just business as usual!
 
I bought a tag this year but already bagged a moose so the deer are safe ( unless I see the trophy buck of all time).
Just to keep the .308 from being disapointed I am thinking of shifting my efforts over to wolves. There seems to be allot of those around this year.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom