Hunters cussing, discussing rule
Page 23 of the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency’s 2016-2017 Hunting & Trapping Guide explains the new definition of antlered deer and antlerless deer. As we close in on the final days of the season the new definition has been the most discussed, and probably cussed, regulation since the state went to a two-buck limit several years ago.
For sure, it has had an impact on the number of deer killed.
As of Friday morning, 82,331 male deer have been killed during the 2016-17 season that ends with the annual Young Sportsman Hunt Jan. 14-15 That compares to 89,202 bucks killed last season.
The figures are even more dramatic when it comes to antlerless deer killed thus far this year compared to a year ago — 62,662 to 74,659. Figure in that about 68,000 hunters have killed one buck and 40,342 have killed at least one doe and you get the big picture.
Hunters have been more selective when it comes to pulling the trigger.
“From the initial numbers that I have observed it looks like the antlerless buck harvest numbers took a definite drop from the previous years,” said Daniel Stanfield, the TWRA Region 1 big-game and furbearer coordinator. “So, that would definitely support the fact that hunters were more selective and observant of what sex the deer was before the decision was made to pull the trigger.”
The new definition was established by the Tennessee Fish and Wildlife Commission at its seasonsetting meeting last May. An antlered deer is now defined as any male or female deer with an antler protruding above its hair-line. An antlerless deer is also now defined as any deer with no antler protruding above its hair-line.
For sure, this topic will probably be discussed when the Tennessee Fish and Wildlife Commission (TFWC) meets Jan. 13 in the Flyway Room of the Big Cedar Lodge at the Bass Prop Shops at The Pyramid. The one-day meeting begins at 9 a.m. and is open to the public.
One of the most outspoken critics of the new definition for antlerless deer has been Dr. Allan Houston, research professor of Forest and Wildlife Biology in the University of Tennessee’s forestry, wildlife and fisheries division who is stationed at Ames Plantation near Grand Junction. He directs the plantation’s 18,600-acre forest and wildlife management and research.
“I am still solidly against the rule,” Houston said.
Among the reasons why he is against the regulation:
1. “No one has given me any explanation for its need and they (TWRA) have offered no metric to tell us when that goal is reached . . . whatever that goal might be.
2. “Where serious deer management is imposed and the entire herd is managed as opposed to simply making decisions one deer at a time, there needs to be a reasonable buffer to work against and three inches (the old rule) was reasonable.
3. “There are more inventive ways to impose a protect the button buck strategy.
4. “The rule tends to encourage a fairly easily rationalized unethical behavior.
5. “Much of Tennessee’s segment is aging and seeing an acorn on a deer’s head at 173 yards is nearly impossible.”
Jim Cook, who lives in rural Hardeman County, has been against the rule since the get-go, and, like Houston, believes one of his main concerns has been the eyesight of aging deer hunters.
“Our eyesights are not what they used to be,” Cook said. “They (TWRA) didn’t take into consideration that a lot of us hunters are senior citizens. If the TWRA wants to reduce the doe population in the state, I believe this will do just the opposite (to) what they are trying to achieve.”
And then, there are hunters like Charles Petrey, a retired State Farm agent who lives in Fayette County. He has been in favor of tightening the rules on killing antlerless deer.
“I had asked for this several times,” he said. “Most of the ‘antlered’ deer we were taking are small bucks. If you kill the young bucks you do not have enough remaining to grow the big ones. It’s plain wrong to say you can’t tell, especially with the optics we have on most rifles. If you can’t tell then don’t shoot. Give it a few years (and) see how it works.”
Houston understands the dilemma facing hunters.
“There will be a sentiment that says, ‘What’s the big deal, just be careful?” he said. “And while this is true it is only occasionally pertinent. Not everyone hunts over a food plot or out of box stand. And, much of the deer hunter sentiments are to shoot as few deer as possible.”
Houston, who coordinates Ames Plantation’s deer program, said members have killed seven of what he calls hair-liners. “That’s a little bitty buck,” he said. “One of the two you get for the season. That stinks, especially if you need a doe or two to fill the freezer and are now scared to death (to shoot).”
Houston said he has talked to two of West Tennessee’s top deer processors and both reported that their business was off at least 30 percent this season, which he said, “mirrors our results exactly. So, the hair-line rule may be contributing negatively to local economies.”
The rule will surely be tested Sunday through Jan. 13 when the TWRA hosts its second annual Antlerless Deer Hunt on all privately owned lands in Unit L counties, which includes all of West Tennessee. Privately owned lands include leased land and land owned by individuals. It is the responsibility of hunters to obtain verbal or written permission to hunt on privately owned lands.
Among the items on Friday’s TFWC agenda:
The TWRA’s wildlife division staff will present waterfowl and other migratory bird hunting seasons, including Sandhill cranes, for next season; presentation by Memphis-based Ducks Unlimited on its partnership with the TWRA and a review of the big game tagging/ harvest reporting. For additional information go to tnwildlife.org.
Got an outdoors item of note? E-mail Larry Rea at lroutdoors@att.net or go to his web site at lroutdoors.com; listen to Larry Rea on Outdoors on Saturday mornings from 6-7:30 on ESPN 790-AM.