Whitetail History

Interesting read! Very similar to GA and my guess is most states east of the Mississippi river. My boys never knew what it was like to have virtually no deer to hunt. I do. Deer hunting was a non-event where I grew up because there were basically no deer. Thx to a massive restocking program by our DNR in the 50s and early 60s, and sound management, we now have a robust deer population all across the state, with the exception of the mountain region. I've hunted since I was old enough to carry a gun. Got my 1st .22 for Christmas when I was 11. Never saw a deer until I was 16 or 17 and I can remember it like it was yesterday. I still get a thrill when deer appear. I was looking out the cabin door this morning before coming home and 2 doe(s) came into the cabin field to feed. I immediately grabbed my binos with joy. Hope that feeling never leaves me.
 
Interesting read! Vl get a thrill when deer appear. I was looking out the cabin door this morning before coming home and 2 doe(s) came into the cabin field to feed. I immediately grabbed my binos with joy. Hope that feeling never leaves me.

I keep mine by the window for that reason!!!!!!

bill
 
Quick IN deer history:
1893 - last reported wild deer kill (Knox County)
1934-1942 - 296 deer purchased from other states (WI, MI, PA & NC) and stocked in IN
1943 - state wide deer population estimated at 900
1951 - first deer season in over 50 years (3 days)
1953-1955 111 deer released from ither states
1956 - deer trapping and relocation of 500 deer
1975 - deer harvest of 9,000
1985 - deer harvest of 32,000
1988 - deer harvest of 60,00+
1991 - deer harvest of 95,000+
1994 - deer harvest of 110,000+
1996 - deer harvest record of 123,000+
1997 thru 2003 - deer harvest holds steady at +/- 100,000
2004 thru 2007 - deer harvest holds steady at +/- 125,000
2008 thru 2012 - deer harvest holds steady at +/-130,000 (record in 2012 of 136,248)
2013 - begins harvest decline at 125,000+
2014 - harvest of 120,000+
2015 - harvest of 123,000+
2016 - harvest of 119,000+
2017 - harvest of 113,000+

Most Hoosier hunters I think are concerned about the rapid decline we are seeing and the lack of change in management policy within our DNR. For the most part our antlerless limits are the same as they where a decade ago.....the dynamic has changed, yet the management practices have not! Harvests grew from the most part from 110,000 and above for nearly 20 years and now we are at the starting point in a span of less than 5 years! I think it's safe to say the rising river has "crested".....time for a new plan!
 
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