Pull The Trigger To Help Contribute To A Healthy Deer Population In The State
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DAVE’S WORLD
By David Howell
It’s been almost six months since I have written about one of my favorite topics, but the long lull between turkey season and deer season is almost over. The calendar shows that fall should be arriving, and with that comes the time to plant food plots and check deer stands – any excuse will work to get out in the woods.
Countless hunters have been carefully watching the forecast for weeks trying to coordinate planting food plots with a few drops of rain that never appear. The forecast changes daily, a chance of rain will show up in the long range prediction only to be removed the next time you look. It tricked me, I planted food plots a couple of weeks ago hoping that one of those elusive clouds would appear. I made sure to cover the seeds, running a harrow over the plots in case the weatherman was fibbing again. The idea was to make it a little harder for the birds and other critters to eat the seeds before they have a chance to sprout.
I think it was only a day or two after I planted before the turkeys appeared, scratching in the dirt for a meal. The turkeys have been so regular that I wonder if any seed will be left if we ever get a rain. I guess they are hungry with the drought. It makes you wonder if a long winter is ahead for wildlife, the drought has impacted the browse and many report the acorn crop is very slim due to a late frost back in the spring after the oak trees had already started budding.
Whether in the city or country, the reports are that deer have been very active. They love the tender flowers and other “snacks” in our yards that have been nurtured and watered. I think I have seen more deer along the roadsides eating browse in the last few weeks than I ever remember for this time of the year. The Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks (MDWFP) reports a record high in deer population in the state this year. The agency cited decreased harvest numbers as one culprit in the growing population, estimating on average that a hunter harvests less than two deer annually.
In a press release, the agency encouraged hunters to utilize their bag limits and harvest one more deer this season to contribute to a healthier deer population. The agency’s enthusiasm for hunters to pull the trigger created confusion for some hunters, who thought that the bag limits had been increased. The agency had to release a second press release responding to confusion and emphatically stating that the bag limit has not been increased.
The problem is not the bag limit, hunters are allowed three antlered deer and five antlerless deer during the season in our zone. The problem is lazy hunters like me who fully plan on shooting a few does to help with the population only to fall short. It is easier to watch them than to shoot them, and we all know that the work starts when you pull the trigger.
I remember years ago when I was first hunting and hunters were not allowed to shoot does except for on a special designated day commonly called “doe day.” It would sound like a war, as hunters took advantage of this opportunity. I guess it was more fun back then, but I was a lot younger. I am going to try and do my part this year and fill the freezer.
