MLD Permits, Their Use Good For Hunting

[Thumper]

In talking to TPWD personnel it was mentioned that they are seeing a clear trend moving towards the use of MLD permits by ranch employees and land owners leaving the hunter sucking hind teat as the "management tool of choice". The hunting opportunities they thought they would provide are not happening.

I remember reading about one ranch that got a special MLD permit to remove 1000 deer using any means they deemed necessary, even spot lighting and shooting from a helicopter.

My question is how many bowhunters using MLD permits feel that MLD permits have increased their hunting opportunities and hunting oportunities for new hunters?

[J-DAWG]

I hear what your sayin'

I have only had two opportunities to have "more" of a chance at deer with the MLD permits, and I do not lease land. Both were due to the fact that I knew the land owners. Other than that I would hate to be on a lease and have the owner letting "non paying" persons shoot up the countryside for me!

[stonecold]

the part i don't understand is why they let them start shooting guns right in the middle of our archery season, surely 3 mos. is enough...

[TXJon]

I bowhunt on MLD tags on Army COE land, and I think it's great. I am a meat hunter, and the only hunter in my family, and this might be the first year I can shoot enough deer to last us all year.

[barnett77859]

if you have a high fence ranch and its over run with deer whos at fault
you the land owners are you penned them up open the gates and let them out. Why just kill them because you can get the mld permits
thats messed up. Do your neighbors a favor and let the excess deer
out if you have to many. Why waste them.

[bowhuntntxn]

I don't think anyone is wasting deer with MLD permits. I have not seen an increased opprotunity because of this program, but I am sure there are some land owners that actually need them due to crop damage, and habitat destruction. High fence ranches are not the only ones eligible for this program. It seems like you would see a lot more cheap doe hunts to get the numbers right for the ranches that use this, but I haven't seen it. If anyone is one a MLD plan, and needs some does out this year, just let me know, and i will do my part to help!!

[Jamie]

MLD's primary purpose is NOT to increase hunting opportunities...it's to reduce the deer population on a specific property.

That said...I know of a couple of TBH'chers that have seen their hunting opportunity increased due to them (MLD permits)

[Legdog]

Population reduced by two.

Christmas Sausage being processed at Kuby's to savor in Old Mex.

Thanks MLD program!

[buck_wild]

I've got to use them several times on the King Ranch but can't say that personally they have done much good for me.

[Doublej]

I've used them to take 2 does on my property in Columbus and plan to take at least one more. The advantage to me is they don't come off my license tags and I can still use them at my lease in Eden. I have full freezers and have donated meat this year.

[Codie]

As Jamie said MLD permits were not created to enhance hunting opportunities. They were created to make the hunting opportunities that we have more quality opportunities by getting the deer herd numbers to where they need to be for that particular piece of property. On the other hand I can tell you that I have introduced two kids to hunting using the MLD permit program and have also given freinds and family multiple opportunities to increase their time in the woods during the season because of MLD permits. In fact I'll have two more opportunities this season since we still need to have a couple more hunts in order to get all the deer killed that we need to. I'm sure others have provided way more opportunity in the woods for people than I have, but I can say that giving people more times in the woods is a positive that MLD permits bring.

[Tye]

We have been using the MLD Permits for about 8 years. We have been high fenced for 2 years prior to the MLD's. I have found that it gives the landowner more of an opportunity to remove cull bucks and excess does prior to the rut. It also allows our guests to retain their licences for their own lease. Being in a one buck county...it is almost a must

As far as this statement

Do your neighbors a favor and let the excess deer
out if you have to many. Why waste them.

That would be illegal and we have never wasted meat. If we can't use the meat...we either donate them to the hungry or give them to friends.

I would say that the MLD's give more of an opportunity to those that get invited/or pay to hunt a place that has MLD'ss since they retain their licences.

[Russ81]

I've used the MLD permits and never had a problem with them. I try to give people who help me out either a chance to hunt does or bring them meat b/c of they're help but the don't want to hunt. Fact that most people don't see an increase in oppurtunities is mainly it's easier to let a few guys go out and do the job of harvesting excess deer than selling hunts to the public. Thumper, as for the article you read, shooting deer from helicopters and spotlighting are something I doubt Parks and Wildlife would approve of. Do you have the article still or remember what publication you saw it in?

[Death Whisper]

MLD permits have definitely increased my hunting opportunities...

[Mary]

If you were to research some of the Hunter for the Hungry Programs, as well as some local Food Banks, you will find that MLD permits have helped tremendously. Lots of families are provided for through the MLD program.