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Neighbors- doe slaying

jagermeister

Dignitary Member
Supporting Member
18,082
223
Ohio
Even at that, how does this differ from you asking your neighbor not use his leaf blower at 1AM? It's legal, so mind your own business. Is it preferable behavior to your standard of living? Of course not, so therefore it's acceptable to ask him to change his behavior right? Certainly. I see that as no different than approaching your neighbor with a common sense management strategy. If they are open to discussion, great. That's a win-win. If they tell you to pound salt, now you know and you can adjust your management plan accordingly. And it never hurts to follow up. Don't annoy them, but a "no" the first time doesn't mean they won't come around. Maybe next year they have a terrible season and they start to think maybe Al was on to something. Having this conversation with your neighbors is an action I deem perfectly reasonable. How you approach them, handle defeat and move forward is where I think you can get out of line. But simply broaching this subject with your neighbors shouldn't be cause for ridicule.

:

While the leaf blower at 1:00 a.m. example is a bit of a stretch for comparison, I get it. Point taken. It certainly couldn't hurt anything to bring up the topic with the neighbor.
 

giles

Cull buck specialist
Supporting Member
15 deer...that's pretty impressive. Out of curiosity, what kind of numbers are you looking for? I haven't seen 15 deer combined al year. You are gonna have a hell of a time convincing those guys that you have a population problem.
 

Outdoorsfellar

Dignitary Member
Supporting Member
So, this guy has his friends come over. Are they locals, are they out of towners ? All they know is, that here is some land they get to hunt & they have success. Nothing is gonna change there. They might have no where else to hunt, & so they're gonna hunt for what they can.
 

hickslawns

Dignitary Member
Supporting Member
39,772
248
Ohio
This is fun. Some good thoughts for Al to ponder and decide how to move forward. Good points from differing views.
 

bthompson1004

Member
1,238
100
NWOhio!
My dad and his buddies enjoy the outdoors legally every gun season down in Logan/Athens area somewhere...sometimes he'd send pics of the buck he shot or all the deer they shot that week...usually it was 10-15 deer total for the week and once it was 17...then there was the bonus weekend in which most times another 6-8 would be killed...And if that wasn't enough they would go out for black powder and kill a few more over the 4 days...this went on for a few years that I can remember.

The last few years my dad has gone down there, he has come back empty handed...with statements like we only saw a couple and they were out of range, or I didn't see a single deer all week...basically he was left scratching his head..."What happened to all the deer we used to see?" We stayed within the bag limits and did everything legally!??"

"Really dad? You don't know why you didn't see any deer?"

Hope you enjoyed the glory years and it was worth it, cause here comes the consequences of those actions!
 

bowhunter1023

Owner/Operator
Staff member
48,916
274
Appalachia
My dad and his buddies enjoy the outdoors legally every gun season down in Logan/Athens area somewhere...sometimes he'd send pics of the buck he shot or all the deer they shot that week...usually it was 10-15 deer total for the week and once it was 17...then there was the bonus weekend in which most times another 6-8 would be killed...And if that wasn't enough they would go out for black powder and kill a few more over the 4 days...this went on for a few years that I can remember.

The last few years my dad has gone down there, he has come back empty handed...with statements like we only saw a couple and they were out of range, or I didn't see a single deer all week...basically he was left scratching his head..."What happened to all the deer we used to see?" We stayed within the bag limits and did everything legally!??"

"Really dad? You don't know why you didn't see any deer?"

Hope you enjoyed the glory years and it was worth it, cause here comes the consequences of those actions!

An example played out all over Ohio I'd imagine...
 

at1010

*Supporting Member*
4,969
139
Guys a lot of great feedback here and honestly I want to apologize if I came across that I wanted to scold this guy.

1. This is a large farm
2. Guys only come "down" for gun - guessing they are CLE or Akron area
3. We do see deer but not the numbers we would like to see. I think the most I have seen in a sit was 6 does. I saw 9 does in one day this season (same day I saw the 6).
4. I have hunted the last two nights and not seen a deer - according to my cameras I just picked the wrong spots- Ill try again tonight.

My main goal is to see how you all would handle this, some of you are like me and just feel like its water under the bridge so what is the point. Part of me just wants to find out more information about where the deer were harvested. Did the kill them all off the 200 that butts up to my farm or did they kill them through 1000 acres a few of their family and friends own. My main goal is to gain recon about the situation in general, as that is a staggering number of deer IMO.

Like many of you I do agree that just because something is within the rules doesn't mean you need to push it.

As some eluded to making the habitat better - I am a habitat junkie and I constantly am working to make the farm just that much better.

I really appreciate the dialogue- it has gears turning for sure.

CHAD- I am not sure how many guys hunt it for gun.
 

at1010

*Supporting Member*
4,969
139
My dad and his buddies enjoy the outdoors legally every gun season down in Logan/Athens area somewhere...sometimes he'd send pics of the buck he shot or all the deer they shot that week...usually it was 10-15 deer total for the week and once it was 17...then there was the bonus weekend in which most times another 6-8 would be killed...And if that wasn't enough they would go out for black powder and kill a few more over the 4 days...this went on for a few years that I can remember.

The last few years my dad has gone down there, he has come back empty handed...with statements like we only saw a couple and they were out of range, or I didn't see a single deer all week...basically he was left scratching his head..."What happened to all the deer we used to see?" We stayed within the bag limits and did everything legally!??"

"Really dad? You don't know why you didn't see any deer?"

Hope you enjoyed the glory years and it was worth it, cause here comes the consequences of those actions!

yes I had a good buddy's whose uncle owned some 10 acres. They would kill 6+ deer every gun season off that piece. My buddy's dad used to get so mad at them, and he's a big hunter. He would try to explain to them that you need to be a conservationist. That always resonated with me, I think I was about 11 when I heard that.
 

Fletch

Senior Member
Supporting Member
6,078
118
Join the club Al! This problem will always exist until there is just no more deer. There will always be those who make sacrifices and those that take more than their share. It's about glass half full or half empty and hunters will never be on the same page as far as what they feel are good deer numbers.

Just how it is.

I agree with Ric 100% on this.. He's not telling hunters what they can and can't do if legal, hes just stating a fact. Unfortunately this same scenario is unfolding in many states. Some hunters are trying to improve the deer herd, while others could give a rats ass about what the future herd is like. Like it or not.... It's a fact... Not much Al can do here except be diplomatic and try and get this neighbor to understand and get on the same page as the other neighbors...
 

giles

Cull buck specialist
Supporting Member
Al...grab a case of beer and head for the smoke. Pull up a chair and get to meet some of the guys. Who knows, you might love them and end up having some great friends and become "one of the boys". I'm sure some of them would love to hear what's beyond that ridge also.

One thing I've learned with aggressive hunters is, that if you show them pics of big bucks...they will hesitate when it comes down to pulling the trigger. This was the approach I took with my dad. He will now let deer walk by every now and then all because he thinks he might have a chance at "the big one".

Grab a case of beer and a bag of jerky...be the nice guy we all know you are. Leave your emotions at home and go with an open mind. Maybe they are all dicks, maybe they are just like we were 10 years ago. Only one way to find out and it ain't on TOO!
 

at1010

*Supporting Member*
4,969
139
Al...grab a case of beer and head for the smoke. Pull up a chair and get to meet some of the guys. Who knows, you might love them and end up having some great friends and become "one of the boys". I'm sure some of them would love to hear what's beyond that ridge also.

One thing I've learned with aggressive hunters is, that if you show them pics of big bucks...they will hesitate when it comes down to pulling the trigger. This was the approach I took with my dad. He will now let deer walk by every now and then all because he thinks he might have a chance at "the big one".

Grab a case of beer and a bag of jerky...be the nice guy we all know you are. Leave your emotions at home and go with an open mind. Maybe they are all dicks, maybe they are just like we were 10 years ago. Only one way to find out and it ain't on TOO!

Ya Dave your probably right. I am friends with the guy who gave me information. He's a great dude and I'm gunna go drink beer and bs with him tonight. I rather tread lightly but learn more then be a dick to the guy to try to prove a point.

What it does make me wonder is how far off could I have been on the number of deer around. Just last night between two cameras at 5pm I had like 5 does and tbehbwhere the same time. Then all night long had other pictures of does. Like you said earlier maybe they are just seeing more so they think there are plenty. Maybe the way my place sets up its different then the place 1/2 mile away they could be hunting.

All great points. Very thought provoking. I still ain't killing a doe off this farm this year hahahah
 

finelyshedded

You know what!!!
Supporting Member
31,900
260
SW Ohio
My dad and his buddies enjoy the outdoors legally every gun season down in Logan/Athens area somewhere...sometimes he'd send pics of the buck he shot or all the deer they shot that week...usually it was 10-15 deer total for the week and once it was 17...then there was the bonus weekend in which most times another 6-8 would be killed...And if that wasn't enough they would go out for black powder and kill a few more over the 4 days...this went on for a few years that I can remember.

The last few years my dad has gone down there, he has come back empty handed...with statements like we only saw a couple and they were out of range, or I didn't see a single deer all week...basically he was left scratching his head..."What happened to all the deer we used to see?" We stayed within the bag limits and did everything legally!??"

"Really dad? You don't know why you didn't see any deer?"

Hope you enjoyed the glory years and it was worth it, cause here comes the consequences of those actions!

A great example of what I was leading too! Thanks for sharing that!

Adam, I wasn't throwing rocks buddy. You're right, the guys stayed within the law when it comes to bag limits but sooner or later Alberts area could end up like the area I hunt here in Warren county if more hunters don't start being conversationalists. I don't think it's fair or right for some hunters to limit out while the rest eat tags so there'll be something to hunt the following season.
Just because the DOW set bag limits doesn't mean they were the correct bag limits. Some areas they did a good job in bringing down the deer numbers but in many they all but eradicated them. I'm hoping they realize that and make the necessary adjustments so they bounce back.
Example, if you are allowed 30 frog limit per night and you gig all 30 frogs living in one pond, is that sound conservation? The sad thing is with the competition we have today there will be several coming through later to gig what might have moved in later or any small ones you left behind. I mean you stayed within the law but you have to do more than that if you want our kids and their kids to enjoy what we have now.

Like Brian said earlier, I really hate seeing fellow members and hunters arguing and getting into heated discussions over this topic. We need to all stand together and unite to the betterment of our hunting legacy. Those that have plenty of deer and think those of us are a bunch of whiney asses enjoy your situation while you got it!
 

finelyshedded

You know what!!!
Supporting Member
31,900
260
SW Ohio
I agree with Ric 100% on this.. He's not telling hunters what they can and can't do if legal, hes just stating a fact. Unfortunately this same scenario is unfolding in many states. Some hunters are trying to improve the deer herd, while others could give a rats ass about what the future herd is like. Like it or not.... It's a fact... Not much Al can do here except be diplomatic and try and get this neighbor to understand and get on the same page as the other neighbors...

Thanks Rich! I agree Al should do his best to be civil and try to come to some sort of agreement or understanding with his neighbors.
Just want to emphasize that it's pretty safe to say that everyone here on TOO cares about the health and future of our deer and other critters we all like to hunt. We all pretty much know those outside of here amongst the outside world who only care about themselves and don't give a rats ass about conservation.
 

Fletch

Senior Member
Supporting Member
6,078
118
Thanks Rich! I agree Al should do his best to be civil and try to come to some sort of agreement or understanding with his neighbors.
Just want to emphasize that it's pretty safe to say that everyone here on TOO cares about the health and future of our deer and other critters we all like to hunt. We all pretty much know those outside of here amongst the outside world who only care about themselves and don't give a rats ass about conservation.

Ric..Al's only option is to try an have his neighbor see the light... And this is his ONLY option.. So take him to a Columbus Blue Jackets game and buy him dinner... By the way guy's... Congrats on a great season so far.. At first I was going to say put in a fantastic food plot as far away from his neighbors property as he can to keep the deer on his property. Then I remembered baiting is legal. His neighbor just needs to dump a truck load of corn and hes back in the game.
I read a thread not long ago on a Jersey site similar to this. Guy was complaining that his neighbor was shooting every buck he passes on and he was getting tired of the whole deal. Now remember in Jersey you can shoot multiple bucks. OUCH.. There goes his buck population. He tried talking to the guy, but guy has become a dick and says I'm not doing anything illegal, so take a hike.. Evidently the property this guys owns is long and VERY VERY NARROW.. Since the guy can't be reasoned with the other guy came up with a simple solution. Put a shed or two on the property line.. In Jersey we have Safety Zone laws. You cannot hunt or possess a loaded firearm or bow with a nocked arrow within 450 feet of an occupied building. Since a shed can be occupied at any time this neighbor is screwed.. Agan he was asked nicely.
 

at1010

*Supporting Member*
4,969
139
Guys thank you again for the input.

Again, I do have a lot to make my farm the most attractive around. I know many of my neighbors who work with me on managing the deer do the same. I do see deer in person and on camera. I of course would love the population to get higher as many of us.

I was supposed to meet my buddy tonight but plans fell through. I will catch up with him soon and let you all know how it goes. I am going to probably just asking non chalantly if they have ever considering trying to manage the deer herd or if they just hunt. See where the conversation goes.
 

at1010

*Supporting Member*
4,969
139
I am curious. What are the rules of the co-op?

Doesn't sounds like they have rules. We currently don't have a CO-OP per say but some of my neighbors and I talk about deer and how we want to grow bigger bucks. We simply do this by talking, not shooting does, sharing trail camera pictures, sharing a laugh together over a beer, etc.

It is very informal. I just need to get more folks to the party.