What is the gripe?
I am failing to see what the gripe is here? From what I have gathered, MLD was established to increase hunter opportunity and to allow ranch managers and landowners the ability to manage their deer herd. This is exactly what it does. And here are some possible reasons why there are not as many doe/meat hunts being advertised: MOST intensely managed ranches will not allow a hunter to sit without a guide. By the time the ranch pays for the guide and the feed (corn), the ranch is probably losing money on these low-cost hunts. When ranches allow unguided doe hunts, there are usually a few nubbin's that hit the ground. Mistakes can and will happen, but they are a lot more likely to happen without a guide. Now, don't anybody take that the wrong way...I am talking about "Joe Blow Hunter" who just wants to go out and kill stuff and doesn't really know what he is doing. We all know people like that. I know of one ranch in particular that runs these unguided hunts, and the manager told me they usually kill 18-20 nubbin's a year! Can you imagine the economic impact that will have on that ranch, not to mention the herd? Landowners are becoming more involved in managing the deer, and doing what needs to be done. MLD gives them the ability to do that. What is wrong with that? And if you want to talk trends, how's this for a trend---I now get paid by ranches to come out and kill does and culls. There is so much risk, economically and management wise on doe/meat hunts, that they would rather pay someone to do it than to sell the hunts. Sounds kinda wierd, but more and more ranches are starting to do this.
And, I still don't see what the gripe is. If someone does not hunt an MLD ranch, then what do they care what goes on on that ranch? I like the fact that we get to start shooting rifles in October. I wish we could start in September. It gives us more time to get the work done.
To answer the original question...Yes, MLD's have greatly increased my hunting opportunities and for many of my friends and family as well.
I am failing to see what the gripe is here? From what I have gathered, MLD was established to increase hunter opportunity and to allow ranch managers and landowners the ability to manage their deer herd. This is exactly what it does. And here are some possible reasons why there are not as many doe/meat hunts being advertised: MOST intensely managed ranches will not allow a hunter to sit without a guide. By the time the ranch pays for the guide and the feed (corn), the ranch is probably losing money on these low-cost hunts. When ranches allow unguided doe hunts, there are usually a few nubbin's that hit the ground. Mistakes can and will happen, but they are a lot more likely to happen without a guide. Now, don't anybody take that the wrong way...I am talking about "Joe Blow Hunter" who just wants to go out and kill stuff and doesn't really know what he is doing. We all know people like that. I know of one ranch in particular that runs these unguided hunts, and the manager told me they usually kill 18-20 nubbin's a year! Can you imagine the economic impact that will have on that ranch, not to mention the herd? Landowners are becoming more involved in managing the deer, and doing what needs to be done. MLD gives them the ability to do that. What is wrong with that? And if you want to talk trends, how's this for a trend---I now get paid by ranches to come out and kill does and culls. There is so much risk, economically and management wise on doe/meat hunts, that they would rather pay someone to do it than to sell the hunts. Sounds kinda wierd, but more and more ranches are starting to do this.
And, I still don't see what the gripe is. If someone does not hunt an MLD ranch, then what do they care what goes on on that ranch? I like the fact that we get to start shooting rifles in October. I wish we could start in September. It gives us more time to get the work done.
To answer the original question...Yes, MLD's have greatly increased my hunting opportunities and for many of my friends and family as well.
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