BigGameHunt.net Hunting Forums

[ryhan]

I am starting to see a lot of smaller bucks and BIG does here in NB. Do you think it is time to shorten our season from 4 weeks down to 2 weeks, or change from buck only with doe draw to doe only with buck draw. Or maybe close the season for a few years?(that wold be hard for some of us lol) Just a thought that me and my hunting buddies have been chewing about. ::-k ::confused2 Any thoughts out there????

[ratrivertrapper]

I think the bigest reason for that is our season starts to early ! the rut is just starting when the seson closes all your finding now is pre rut i found a few rubs and no scrapes yet ,at our camp this week one deer was taken on a rub and it was a spike horn . they may have to go to a draw for big bucks as well as does,Nova scotia finishes first sat in dec we always get bigger bucks there

[jim muir]

well i've seen more than enough does that openning up a either sex no draw season would be fine with me. and as far as big bucks go i've seen a few this season but they like to keep those red dots between them and myself, excet the one standing on the median of the highway outside of Quispam. I'd like to see a black powder season in late november or early december, that one could be 2 weeks long but the province needs to balance the doe buck ratio especily with the high fawn survival rates with all these mild winters we've had.

[ryhan]

I like the sounds of a black powder season. Never thought of that before. :lol: Not that I own a black powder rifle, but I have been looking at them real heavy. Wondering if I should buy a kit or buy it bit by bit.

[wonksy]

ya i think doe only for a few yrs wouldnt hurt!! theres just too many doe for the bucks...they dont travel in the rut like yrs ago....they have no need too with all them doe's. and most hunters shoot the first buck they see cause it might be there last and alot hunt for the meat also. with all the small bucks being shot up its hard to grow trophies....not sure what the plan is but they gotta come up with something thats for sure.


P.S. I WOULDNT MIND SEEING THE DEER SEASON SHORTENED AND THE MOOSE SEASON EXTENDED...I'M SURE OTHERS WILL AGREE THATS ITS JUST TOO DAM SHORT...BUT US THAT LIVE HERE ALL KNOW THE REASONS WHY ITS SO SHORT....WHAT A SHAME :evil:

[marko5440]

I know that in some areas of southern NB we are seeing very large herds while in northern areas the deer are slowly increasing in numbers. Will we get to the population levels of the late 70's and 80's? I think so but it will still take years for the population to be where it was at in the northern part of the province.

So de we start the season later and have it finish later? Yes! With well documented global warming patterns our falls are starting later and are warmer than in the past which means theat the rut is starting later. So why de we continue to have a season whose dates have not changed in decades. The warmer weather explains the increasing populations and also explains why small bucks are being taken a lot more than the mature ones.

Why not have the season bumped up a to start a week later but also stipulate that in areas where a hunter can hunt a doe they can only do so in the first two weeks of the season. The last two weeks would be set aside for hunters hunting bucks but no does can be taken. This will releive hunting pressure on bucks in the early part of the season. Those that want does for meat get what they want and the trophy hunters will have the opportunity to hunt during the rut without the added pressure of hunters looking for a doe or a buck.

[ratrivertrapper]

marko5440 wrote: I know that in some areas of southern NB we are seeing very large herds while in northern areas the deer are slowly increasing in numbers. Will we get to the population levels of the late 70's and 80's? I think so but it will still take years for the population to be where it was at in the northern part of the province.

So de we start the season later and have it finish later? Yes! With well documented global warming patterns our falls are starting later and are warmer than in the past which means theat the rut is starting later. So why de we continue to have a season whose dates have not changed in decades. The warmer weather explains the increasing populations and also explains why small bucks are being taken a lot more than the mature ones.

Why not have the season bumped up a to start a week later but also stipulate that in areas where a hunter can hunt a doe they can only do so in the first two weeks of the season. The last two weeks would be set aside for hunters hunting bucks but no does can be taken. This will releive hunting pressure on bucks in the early part of the season. Those that want does for meat get what they want and the trophy hunters will have the opportunity to hunt during the rut without the added pressure of hunters looking for a doe or a buck. ...the rut here in New Brunswick peaks in the last two weeks of nov to the first week in dec , neither the moon phase or weather has little or nothing to do with it .it is more to do with the shorter daylight hours ,although weather does have a lot to do with there movement and activity so does hunting presure . the DNR know this and thats why season dates are set pre rut same goes for moose ! I don't think they are about to change it ! check out this site ! www.trmichels.com/rutdates.htm

[marko5440]

I read the research and i do agree the the moon phases and daylight affect deer movement. Thanks for providing the link. What it does not mention and that we know based on prior hunts and discussions with other hunters is the role the cold plays on deer movement. although anecdotal we have all heard stories that no buck movement was occuring until the cold snap takes place in the fall and generally once the mercury drops the movement picks up with more daytime sightings of bucks. Although i am still a relatively young hunter i have been hunting for 25 years and the temperatures in the fall as a youth and the temperatures now are significantly different.