MI removed the southern gun line!

[Addicting]

Which part specifically do you think is an assumption?

I'll take your word on donating being a pain, never done it, so I have no clue

That most people weren’t shooting does because were chasing bucks.

No survey that went out asked that question.


There is a small group of folks in the state that are very loud about wanting QDM type of management. The rest of us just don’t care to get involved that much. The squeaky wheel got greased.

This won’t really solve anything till there is a mechanism to deal with excess after the trigger is pulled.

It may make a better age class of bucks in the near term. But when we had this in the 80-90’s big bucks were not around every corner. There were still a hell of lot of yearling bucks killed under the one buck tag rule.

 

[gwhunter]

I found this screenshot on my FB feed rather amusing. While I dont take this perspective, exactly, and won't intentionally shoot a button buck. I found it hilarious nonetheless.

 

[Perlodid]

That most people weren’t shooting does because were chasing bucks.

No survey that went out asked that question.


There is a small group of folks in the state that are very loud about wanting QDM type of management. The rest of us just don’t care to get involved that much. The squeaky wheel got greased.

This won’t really solve anything till there is a mechanism to deal with excess after the trigger is pulled.

It may make a better age class of bucks in the near term. But when we had this in the 80-90’s big bucks were not around every corner. There were still a hell of lot of yearling bucks killed under the one buck tag rule.

According to the recent NRC memo that was sent out prior to this meeting, almost 80% of Michigan deer hunters don't harvest any antlerless deer in a given year. Granted I don't know the specifics on what data they used to come to that conclusion, but what else could that mean besides people chasing bucks over does?

And there will still be a hell of a lot of yearling bucks killed under the new one buck rule. So what? That doesn't hurt my feelings one bit. I don't think there will be a dramatic shift in button buck harvest either under the new regs no matter what people are posting on Facebook.

I think this was a decision from the DNR to make a moderate change to the regulations to hopefully impact hunter behavior over time to shoot more does. Any changes in age class structure in bucks is a distant secondary goal that essentially only exists for QDM minded hunters - AKA a bargaining chip (for the agency).

 

[MTLabrador]

Don’t give Montana FWP any ideas… We’ll see “earn a buck” by shooting 10 muley doe regulations next year if they see this.

 

[Addicting]

According to the recent NRC memo that was sent out prior to this meeting, almost 80% of Michigan deer hunters don't harvest any antlerless deer in a given year. Granted I don't know the specifics on what data they used to come to that conclusion, but what else could that mean besides people chasing bucks over does?

What else could it mean? That it’s total BS.

20% of our 600,000 licensed deer hunters (120k) in 2025 hunters killed 48% of the total harvest.

Bucks. Does. Total

153,696

142,149

295,845

I find it hard to believe that memo was remotely correct and those statistics were used/twisted to show what someone wanted them to see.

I bet the real data would show that majority of people only shoot one deer. I would bet that has to do with freezer space and life commitments more than anything.

 

[Perlodid]

What else could it mean? That it’s total BS.

20% of our 600,000 licensed deer hunters (120k) in 2025 hunters killed 48% of the total harvest.

Bucks. Does. Total

153,696

142,149

295,845

I find it hard to believe that memo was remotely correct and those statistics were used/twisted to show what someone wanted them to see.

I bet the real data would show that majority of people only shoot one deer. I would bet that has to do with freezer space and life commitments more than anything.

But now you are talking about the quantity of deer harvested, which is a completely different thing. I totally agree with you that a relatively small proportion of hunters harvest a disproportionate amount of deer compared to the rest of licensed hunters - I was only responding to you saying it was an assumption that most people weren’t shooting does they because they were chasing bucks. Of course you can twist data a bunch of ways to make whatever point you want, but I don't think it's unreasonable to take this particular data point at face value. It wouldn't surprise me either if the majority of hunters only harvest one deer, but I haven't seen any data on that anywhere.

 

[buckbull]

I went to a 350 legend the first year illinois allowed straight wall cartridges. Shoot barnes tsx bullets. Love it. So much better than dealing with slugs.

 

[RealMuddyboots]

So I authored the straight wall rifle for Michigan in May 2009 with collaboration with Rep. Matt Lori and took 5 years of constant battles to finally to get thru NRC in 2014. The battle over "safety concerns" with DNR were truly epic and frustrating to say the least.

I think the change to full blown rifle has been building since we now have 11 years of "safety" information with straight wall. I hope this was the determining factor for this decision but crickets on how this decision was made.

I have been fighting for more transparency with DNR and NRC since they have not updated the NRC meeting minutes on line since August 2025. This is absurd! The agendas are nice but the minutes are the results and decisions of said meetings but yet DNR has failed to provide the REQUIRED transparency of these NRC meetings. I have involved my state rep to get this info and why. Their answer was "lack of resources" to have someone upload the minutes. Uh huh. Yeah, that dog doesn't hunt in my book. DNR stated they have to "hire" someone to upload minutes that takes maybe 1 minute out of someone's daily tasks. WTH. I have requested copies of the minutes thru my rep. Why? Michiganders must have this information to understand the what critical decisions are being made and how for any wildlife decision where NRC is involved. We knew full rifle was being discussed and was put off until it wasn't. So what was the process of this decision change? We need to know for other future changes to be informed and prepared to either support or determine next steps. This transparency is required to insure all decisions are readily available to everyone.

I also find it interesting the decision was made immediately after the dissolution of the MUCC. No I am not wearing my tin foil hat nor have blown up photos the grassy knoll. Just an interesting coincidence.

I agree with full rifle if the decision making process was made with data supporting the decision. Indiana going this route has certainly helped too! I have enjoyed using rifles down there for sure!! My recent 06 build I posted up here is going to get a workout...I will shoot a few flatheads to give the 06 some "work" as well!