I would like to comment on your lack of Deer sightings during the 2006 Wisconsin Fire Arms season.
I hunt in the Southern half of the Nicolet National Forest and have been doing so for the past 18 years or so and have taken my fair share of deer in that time. And even though the deer numbers in the area my family and I hunt was about average for opening weekend this season (For sightings and harvest) We've all seen 2 major changes in the 2006 season,

1.High numbers of Coyote tracks, Much more than normal
2. An unbelievable influx of new hunters in the area

I except the "Rabbit / Coyote" theory no problem, We'll just hunt small game more often.
But the hunting pressure in the area where we hunt was almost unbearable.
Two hunters in our group both had Bucks coming in, 2 different places, 2 different times, but were both shot by new hunters in the area at less than 60 yards away from each of them, if this gives you any idea.
We talked to many new faces over those 9 days and found the answer, (Never minding the fact that this is public land, We've seen the slowly increasing numbers of hunters over the years but not to this extreme surge) The answer lies in three things at present according to the new hunters that we talked to about, What made them come to this area to hunt?
First, The Tigerton paper company land being closed to public hunting, 500,000 acres is alot of land to loose, The Nicolet N.F. was the next closest big public land to hunt, where unfortunatly it already recieves alot of pressure.
Second, There was no Earn a Buck in our DMU
And the third most common reason was that baiting is still allowed in our DMU.
So to me, thinking about not seeing to many deer because of Coyote, would seem like a simple solution "Hunt more Coyote"
But the problems that I see in the near future of running out of room to hunt in the BIG WOODS is getting serious. Not all hunters scout or place stands or do other outdoor recreations at the same time, so no one really knows for sure who will be around on opening day, But if this is what the future of Deer Hunting is coming to, I certainly hope that some one can find a good solution. By the way, after opening weekend only 2 deer were shot in the whole area for the rest of the season. It seems all local deer were holed up quickly, or pushed complelty out of the area.
The end result was plenty of "TAG EATING" to be had by all.

Sidman

Well finding this article, made me think about my season. I hunt in lower Alabama on a timber lease. This was my 1st year at this location, and Alabama as wel,l and there was a lot of talk about this season and a rather poor Buck production.

As I listen to all the guys chat about different thoughts to why the hunt was poor, I could not help to notice on my own was a rather large population of Coyote's.

And almost every evening at sunset I could hear their howling packs on the chase and many evenings here them crashing through the woods until they had come to catch their prey.

At least twice I had my gun up ready thinking for sure they were coming right to me. (The coyotes never made it though)

I would see more fresh dog(coyote) tracks than fresh deer tracks many mornings on my walk out the woods.

I asked the gang and none of them felt it was a big issue, as for me I felt it to be a natural preditor and could really slow the deer travel down.

Here are some of the other thoughts I heard around camp.

1. Alabama made the doe's killable all season, with two kills a day allowed. I was to understand this was a state cooridnated effort with the Insurance companys to help slow down traffic accidents involving deer, and the locals have seen a decline since this was set forth.

2. Alabama had a unusually warm season and this attributted to a lack of deer movment during daylight hours. ? More noctournal than normal.

3. The most stated answer to a poor season
Quoted "I have hunted here for years and I dont know what to tell you. It is just a bad year"

I will happily go back and hunt again if we get the lease back, and I won't let the Coyotes walk by this next year with out shooting the buggers.

Being afraid to shoot most the time because of either poor shots or a chance of spooking any deer close by.

If I saw dogs(coyotes) I didnt see deer that afternoon or evening.

For the record 500+ acres 6 hunters , 2 of us shot lack luster bucks ( small 7 point and my B.U.M = Butt Ugly Mutant, big cowhorn).

We put, between the two of us, 46 days of hard hunting with an average of at least 7 hours a day.( I track my days / Hours and what we see when possible)

We were the most active two hunters. I also collected 3 early season does of the 4 taken during our hunt. As you can see a rather poor hunt.

Best a luck too y'all next season

Steve

Steve,

Thanks for your comments on your 2006 Deer Hunting Season.

Like you, I when seeing or hearing coyotes while deer hunting, I was not seeing deer.

Your mention of the weather being warmer than usual raises another point. It was a bit on the warm side here for most of our deer hunting season too.

Can You Put Yourself in This Picture?

Free-Deer-Hunting-Tips.com blog readers have heard of slower 2006 deer hunting seasons from Steve, Sidman and me.

Do you think Global Warming is affecting the deer behavior in your deer hunting area?

Have you been hunting timber company land once open to the public now being closed off or leased to private hunting parties?

Have coyotes or wolves made for a slow deer hunting season for you?

What are your deer hunting findings, experiences, problems or solutions?

Here is your chance to help fellow deer hunters. I’d like to hear from everyone reading this.

To give me your thoughts, simply look for the link “Questions and Comments” right under my blog post here. Click on the link. You can post what you would like, and it will be emailed to me. I read every post.

Good Luck and Great Hunting!

Marty Prokop
www.free-deer-hunting-tips.com