The head Ia. DNR biologist says: "The data is not intended to be used for additional regulations, like antler point restrictions."

They also indicated a less than 14" main beam is 95% of the time a 1 1/2 year old in Iowa.


I wonder what else this information is good for, or could be used for? Anyone have a guess?

That would definitely would make it more difficult to illegally use the same tag on another deer with the same number of points.

Maybe they think they can reasonably measure the age structure of the bucks harvested with this tool...???? We all know there are always exceptions but maybe this way is reasonably accurate for their purposes. I hate antler restrictions to me it's just a way to sell same number of licenses but curtail the harvest. A way to lower buck harvest but not lower the income generated.

Currently all we have to do is report if its a buck or doe.

That is what they claim. But I'm wondering what that information is good for, if they aren't going to implement antler restrictions as they claim.

Which leads to antler restrictions.

Or maybe they're worried you're shooting old, tuff eating deer?

But, but, but.... "The data is not intended to be used for additional regulations, like antler point restrictions."

They have also sent out a multi page questioner consisting of 42 questions, to a limited number of deer hunters. Asking their views on trophy hunting, meat hunting , cross bows, how you hunt, where you hunt, trail cameras, and a whole lot more.

When I first saw the email I thought they were saying you have to measure before you kill it so as I read and saw you didn’t have to measure until you register it didn’t seem like a big deal.

Finally, it's been a few hours since we've had a good conspiracy theory. I was beginning to give up hope.

It’s the guvment
They’re there to help lol

I am always very hesitant any time the State Wildlife asks hunters or trappers for more information

Illinois always wants points and circumference of the base

Without in person registration wildlife researchers keep trying to find ways to monitor the status of their populations. How accurate this would be? We don't know but over time it could gain some confidence or accuracy. There will be many who may well fudge the measurements etc. to express their displeasure etc. The researchers can build into that data programs that can help correct for those incidences. Once a program is set up and has some longevity it really does not take near as many samples to gain accuracy ad many think. When WI was using the SAK format to estimate deer populations, ages etc. their estimates of harvest with factors put in for days of season, number of licenses sold. weather etc. etc. their estimates of the 9- day gun harvest were amazingly accurate. Sometimes better than 95%. We decided to move away from this most accurate format to others based on politics and other non science related rationale.

Bryce

Do you know what they are planning to do with this information they are gathering? That is what I'd like to know.

Are there regulations related to that?

What are they planning to do with that information?

ADC I believe it’s just trying to figure out the age of harvested bucks we also give a measurement from corner of eye to corner of nostril with does included on the eye measurement . It’s been that way here since they started the call in harvest report which I prefer because it was always hard to go 35 miles to a check station with an evening bow kill and get home and get to work and if it’s warm that was an extra problem.

Thanks.

Why would they need to the age of the harvested bucks? What difference does it make?

I think it is safe to say that the DNR is collecting to data to determine whether or not they will impose antler restrictions in the future.