The Future of Hunting in Ohio w/ Mike Rex (Ohio Wildlife Council Chairman) | HUNTR Podcast

In this episode of HUNTR Podcast, we bring on special guest Mike Rex to talk about the future of hunting Ohio. Mike is a Chairman of The Ohio Wildlife Council, where his job is to review and vote on all ODNR Division of Wildlife proposed regulations. Away from his day job, Mike loves the outdoors and is nothing short of a big buck killer with multiple qualifying deer in the Buckeye Big Buck Club. We pick Mike's brain about a lot of the issues we talk about on the show such as baiting in Ohio, the impact of cell cameras, crossbows, and the lack of hunting access. With Mike being in a position of power, it's nice to know he's the real deal and just as passionate about big deer as we are. Enjoy this episode as we get to know Mike and talk Ohio!
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[@larryhobbs8769]

Man this was the best episode yet. Y’all got to have Mike back on. He disagreed with about 75% of what y’all was talking about. Love it

[@HUNTRPOD]

What a cool discussion right?! We love discussions like this

[@wijoey710]

Hopefully Uncle Ted gets on soon and does some real schooling

[@appalachian8999]

Uncle Ted says there’s nothing wrong with baiting. Do you fish with just a hook? Some ppl don’t have large properties that hold deer to hunt. So baiting is the only way to get deer where they can shoot them. People that want to dictate these petty things like Don Higgins is the real problem to the real deer hunter.

[@wijoey710]

@@appalachian8999 those people talk trash about baiters but don't consider food plots baiting which is what they are

[@Iowa_Whitetail]

I have to admit- that comment is hilarious!!!!! I agree far more with Jared & Jeremy but that comment is funny - no matter what opinion or stance u have. 🤯🫵😜😂😂😂

[@ThePlainNsimple]

Make your state draw for non-residents if you want to decrease leasing.

[@Keith-x8x]

They could do that if they doubled the license fees! Outside of that it’s about the money out of staters bring in

[@ThePlainNsimple]

Double them then. Not limiting NR's is literally like taking a crap on the residents.@@Keith-x8x

[@nicksummerfield5408]

If the states did that with no point system that curve a lot

[@veteranoutdoorsman9978]

Guys lease in Kansas and Iowa which are draw states just to keep others out untill they have tags. That will continue.

[@ThePlainNsimple]

I said decrease, not eliminate.@@veteranoutdoorsman9978

[@garretts1604]

Adding some facts- Ohio has over one million acres of a public hunting land to access. Non residents- 10% of hunters are non residents, which is the same percentage of free licenses handed out.

[@lukepatrino8668]

I think the biggest thing is the non resident coming in buying up properties that aren’t residents and being able to hunt here. We also need a draw like Iowa. I like you guys but it’s funny how you never bring up that aspect of it because neither of you are residents of Ohio.

[@kingbronco6398]

Good point

[@jamesarettajr501]

If you stop hunting because they stopped the baiting you wasn't a hunter anyway .

[@wijoey710]

Who are you to determine what a hunter is

[@Nobody-c6g]

Yes you was feller 😂

[@bradleyfarve]

How about the people with 10 acres that deer wouldn’t travel at all if there was no bait

[@wildoutdoors8336]

@@bradleyfarvemake a small 1-3 acre kill plot?

[@johnthacker608]

What's the difference?

[@sureguy8124]

Get rid of trail cams, especially the cell cameras. As for baiting, It should be discontinued, let hunting be as natural as possible.

[@daveyboy8907]

Bingo

[@Rj_engel]

I can definitely agree with cell cams but I would say regular trail cameras have some major positives and allows hunters to be more selective on bucks. It’s easier to pass a 2 year old if you know a 3-4 year old is in the area!

[@sureguy8124]

@@Rj_engel yes agree

[@BrettP-1123]

Love how y’all emphasize the lack of access. As a young man trying to buy a small farm in central Ky for myself I’ve been screwed over by leases and the inflation of land prices. Even though I make a decent living it’s difficult to find other places to hunt.

[@basserbestt4063]

I took down my old trailer cameras right before season started. I had them up for months. I tagged out and shot two bucks that were never patterned or on my trailer cameras. It was the coolest experience. It was nice because I didn’t have to intrude to check cams. I learned a lot this year. I hunted edges and didn’t intrude like years past. Love this content!

[@T-Mak-s7x]

That Mike guy you guys are talking to is awesome. Wealth of knowledge from many sides of many issues. I’m sure he’s gotta bite his tongue a lot and listen.

[@Kanook99]

Agree.

[@kingbronco6398]

Fellow Ohioan here. Loved it. My number 1 thing I’d like to see happen is an out of state draw system bc you can solve revenue by making them pay $10 to apply to draw and raise in state $5. I’d be all for it. If Iowa can get all this right, we can to.

[@royguidry1311]

What about us out of state land owners. We pay more for licenses, we pay property taxes that goes to schools and roads we don’t even use. We rarely shoot small deer. We plant food plots which helps all local deer. We are also the one who drove up the property value, so now your 15 year ago dirt cheap properties are worth 3 times as much. Why would you want us to have to draw a tag to hunt. We will all leave, you may kill a few more deer but property values will drop, revenue will drop and you will still only be hunting the same public land you did before unless you buy your own land.

[@kingbronco6398]

@@royguidry1311 I didn’t say eliminate people who are out of state land owners. Many people in rural areas are actually upset about the rise in land prices. Surely you don’t think out of state land owner states are without hunting and economic success?

[@kingbronco6398]

@@royguidry1311 local folks want the land prices to stay low. It is not a good things for property to rise artificial high in value, especially when most people don’t own enough land for hunting, so that only effects most average Joe residents negatively. Plenty of resident hunters also, manage their lands, selectively harvest deer, and pay property taxes. When I travel out of state to hunt, I’d be less selective than my own state. Ohioans are not so severely broke and stupid that we need the great saviors from out of state to come and fix everything for us.

[@Hunting4knowledge]

​@royguidry1311 nobody cares about your 3rd vacation property.

[@mikefromoh2925]

Great conversation. My opinion, the solution is MODERATE changes to the regulations to the Ohio hunting laws to keep fair chase as a goal, but not cause too much adjustment for most people: A separate crossbow season that is 2-4 weeks shorter than archery season (except for handicapped people) Allow baiting but put a distance requirement from the bait, or restrict / eliminate baiting during the late season. Moderate increases to Out of state licenses. I really welcome the out of staters and value their contribution to local economies especially since the poorest countries in Ohio are where these guys are flowing to. My thoughts, great program.

[@buck16]

I remember as a long bow hunter that traditional hunters were totally against the newfangled bow with training wheels. They believed these compound bows would ruin archery season and kill too many animals. I don't hunt with a crossbow, but I think it's great that folks can and truly believe it's a very important recruitment tool. My point is you can't stop technology and these younger hunters today are not going to accept anti-technology; that ship sailed a long time ago. Trail cameras, crossbows, compound bows, baiting with food plots and kill plots and mock scrapes is here to stay. We have to quit fighting against fellow hunters and their preferred methods and just get along.

[@travisshuttleworth630]

As an Ohio resident, if I was granted authority to make one law change it would be to become a draw state for non residents or at the very least become a draw state for non resident public land hunters. Non res hunters absolutely destroy the public land starting around 25october!

[@jasonmika4954]

LMAO. Funny, I hunted PA public land for rifle opener and the problem was the Ohio non residents including vans full of 9 Amish who are driving residents out and driving deer by 10 am on the opener. I get your argument but states can't give up the non resident $. They're addicted. The states don't care about quality deer or other hunting. They need the $.

[@travisshuttleworth630]

@@jasonmika4954 ohiodnr.gov/discover-and-learn/safety-conservation/about-ODNR/news/fish-and-wildlife-recreation-contributes-billions-to-ohios-economy

[@travisshuttleworth630]

@@jasonmika4954 according to ODNR, hunting generated 1.9 BILLION dollars of revenue for the state last year. You're telling me that if we become a draw state we will go broke? I can't believe that. Cut the non residents in half with a draw system and charge double or something! There's definitely a better way than just allowing everyone in the country to come. The draw system obviously provides plenty of money or no states would do it

[@ronaldols8975]

@@jasonmika4954 sounds like PA needs a draw system too

[@philyamascunt7518]

I am a resident of rural Ohio. The deer hunting sucks in Ohio as we have super small deer, especially small racked bucks so stay away everyone, don't waste your time or money. Go to Florida or Alabama if you want to harvest a big, heavy racked, big bodied whitetail buck. Take this advice to the bank as I would never blow smoke! Honestly! I would neverrrrrrrrr do such a thing

[@rodneypeck197]

😂😂

[@PassionfortheWildandWonderful]

Please outlaw baiting during season. It has killed hunting for those of us that don’t bait and completely hurt and almost eliminated natural deer movement. I support supplemental feeding outside of season.

[@justinlivengood2109]

I’m an hour into this podcast, love it so far, tons of discussion about banning cell cams and baiting etc. I’ve had 4 TactaCam Reveal ads stop me so far haha!

[@justinlivengood2109]

5th ad is now a stealth cam and muddy cell cam ad. Take that sponsorship money, but have in depth conversations about outlawing those cell cams

[@wijoey710]

If they truly hated baiting they wouldn't bait themselves

[@andrewvarca8417]

As an OH resident, this episode was great! OH resident landowners are still required to check the deer. You can do it online and you still get a check# when you do that.

[@ThePlainNsimple]

How to fix access? First you must realize why access gets restricted. Generally speaking, the lower the quality of a whitetail state, the more land you need to control to combat the effects of poor regulations. You can hunt in the most poorly regulated state, but if you control 2000 acres of good habitat, you can have amazing hunting. Likewise, if you are in a state like Iowa, with amazing regulations, you can have amazing hunting experiences on very small parcels of land, even 10-100 acres in some cases. People lease when they feel that the only way they can see quality is by leasing everyone else out. If Ohio got rid of baiting, moved crossbows to December, and limited NR's with a draw system, quality would be amazing. Even the public land would be amazing. Why lease when the public land is infested with giants. Access would open up again, lease/rec-land prices would drop precipitously.

[@garrettmandrell9722]

Great podcast and I learned a lot. Something that saddens me is the continued restriction on gun hunting. As a big 2A advocate and fan of guns I wish I had the same access and time to hunt with them as bow hunters. I understand why not but I still wish something could be done.

[@garrettmandrell9722]

Let me add in the fact that I’m a new hunter who didn’t grow up hunting (only hunted the past 4 years) and every deer I’ve killed with my rifle (3 total) has been inside 40yds.

[@Iowa_Whitetail]

THIS IS EXCELLENT!!!! I’ll add some solutions IMHO: 1) BAITING gone will NOT lower hunter #’s in long run. It will increase the quality & age structure of herd & more folks will be excited to hunt due to this. The # driving factor to hunter #’s is: ACCESS & DEER POPULATION. & we can’t dismiss the negatives of baiting on the degradation to our forests, browse & animal health!!! Any science based or biology based argument for baiting is a losing argument & that’s just a fact we need to address. Baiting has ALMOST Zero merits beyond bringing in deer to shoot. Last thing on baiting- u want to give ammo to anti-hunters…. Look what happens when they showcase corn piles & deer shooting to the public. The public turns against hunters in THAT case overwhelmingly!!! States where public debate over bait has taken place, the general public does NOT support it & turns public off to hunting big league. 2) OHIO wants more access & better quality hunting: put a quota on NR tags sold. When your residents don’t have access…. Limit access to NR’s so R’s can have more access. It will free acres up & alleviate the leasing lockdown. BOTTOM LINE: if Ohio keeps baiting & keeps NR flood gate wide open- their access will continue to dwindle, the hunter #’s will decline. They will continue to degrade habitat (oak regeneration for example) & more guys will continue to lease their neighbors so they can reduce another party with bait piles on the fence. The status quo is going to exacerbate the problems!!! Long term (2-4 years), the elimination of bait & some NR quotas would keep hunter #’s at a far higher retention level + improve quality of herd. Lot more to this but thanks for taking all this on. Great discussion & awesome we having it!!!!

[@ronaldols8975]

10000000%

[@ThePlainNsimple]

Ohio would blow every state out of the water if they got rid of baiting and moved crossbow season to December.

[@cjyoung4493]

Preachhhhhhh

[@buck16]

I think we need to go old school and the first part of archery season through the end of November should be long bows and recurve bows only with wooden arrows and stone broadheads. Then the first week of December should be compound bows, then the second week of December could be crossbows and then the third week could be muzzle loaders and then the fourth and final week could be guns. If you're against crossbows, then you should be against compound bows.

[@Kanook99]

@@buck16awesome point. Kinda funny but I get your drift.

[@ronaldols8975]

A November 15 start date for compounds would also be helpful

[@ThePlainNsimple]

💯@@ronaldols8975

[@rickknochel7513]

I agree that cell cameras are probably the biggest problem or at least the easiest to change. I think it has the largest effect on access!

[@954RR_]

HUNTR Podcast Bingo would make episodes even more fun. 1st to get Bingo with “Cornpile, Crossbow, Cell Cam, Ohio, Access, etc.” with Deer Gro as the free spot! 🦌 🌱 🦌 🌱 🦌

[@museum52]

As a Indiana resident I couldn't agree more.... I've always said if we had the laws Ohio has we would be in competition with them... Our gun seasons are way too long... I wish we had their regulations...

[@PazNthru]

Yep our CO don't care one bit about deer all about selling tags and kissing insurance agencies butts

[@casethegoatwilliams2034]

I mean no disrespect but being a hunter in northern Indiana I need all the time I can get because I don’t have very many acres to hunt and I feel like that the gun season length is fine because of how few acres I have access to

[@habakabee]

I truly think the decline in hunting experience is because of social media , just like everything else . Look at all these pages sharing huge bucks on Ohio , putting it on such a pedestal . All it’s doing is showcasing it and causing out of staters and the land leasing to get out of control .. it’s a domino effect.. corn piles and crossbows might not be everyone’s cup of tea . But it’s always been allowed .. social media incline = domino effect on everything else which leads to worse hunting experience… just my opinion

[@brob-zy8zi]

Bingo! Bingo! Bingo! Look at KZbin. Just search "deer hunting tactics" and thousands of videos are at your fingertips. There are tons and tons and tons of how to videos, scrape week videos, where to hunt, how to hunt, when to hunt etc etc etc. And no matter what anyone says about having a goal in mind of "Just wanting to help other hunters get better" that's false. It's all rooted in money. Or at least the majority. These people are getting paid for these videos. The problem with hunting is also rooted deeply in leasing large chunks of land and planting top quality food on it so deer never have to leave. As the man said, pay to play. Everyone wants to find a smoking gun but it's more like an arsenal being used against the common man. But I agree 100% that social media and how to videos etc are killing hunting.

[@Duane14]

Raising non res tag prices and limiting their tag numbers would help access. Outta staters won't lease land if they aren't guaranteed tags...

[@jasonmika4954]

That sounds great until you're the guy that wants to go back to his home state and hunt with his dad and brother and can't or have to spend even more money to do it.

[@Duane14]

@jasonmika4954 can't make everyone happy. But residents need to be 1st priority. Iowa works like that, as do all western states. If ohio keeps doing nothing, deer hunting will just go farther down the shitter for everybody.

[@bracketracingtv2447]

Should be 500-600$ for a non resident tag. Lets be honest the ODNR wants more hunters for more money. They could cut half the non residents out at that price and still make more money. You can basically hunt ohio with lodging and gas. We really need draws for out of state. Last 10 years this state has been pounded by non residents. With all the leasing, outfitters popping up and public land hunting getting real big its tough for your local hunter here to even get in the woods. I hunt public mostly and i like the challenge but when i cant even find a parking spot on a 30,000 acre piece its getting out of hand. 70 percent of these people are non residents. Everyone should get to hunt ohio i get it but unless your willing to move here i think you should have to draw for a tag or pay for it.

[@nestraiderservices]

I could not agree more been saying this for years we are one of the most sought-after states to hunt due to quality and cost. It is insulting that a non-resident can hunt here for half the cost of some of the other desirable states.

[@ryanfarmer5155]

Give it time, Kansas ran into the same issue and now is a Non Resident draw state. I'm from out of state and hunt Ohio every year and I agree, there should be a point system and an increase in NR tags.

[@kienton6795]

Missouri decades ago passed a small tax on all sporting goods products that went to conservation and some of the money goes to land acquisition. Today MO has good amounts of public land to hunt on.

[@HUNTRPOD]

Richest department in the country because of that tax. Best thing they ever got approved

[@baitball4665]

Huntr guys talked all about that on another episode

[@trevorwayne3586]

Guys are killin 3-4 yr old bucks with bows I personally kno of 4 over 140 this year

[@zachphillips4743]

Y’all have the best hunting podcast on KZbin. Hands down.

[@freedomarchery6617]

It seems REALLY hard to believe that there are less hunters here in SE Ohio.

[@waynemayle865]

It's true I'm in Washington County gun hunters are very few anymore

[@adrianeberwine6355]

Coshocton,muskingum , and Guernsey counties look like WW3 during gun week.

[@waynemayle865]

@@adrianeberwine6355 I grew up in Zanesville hunting an fishing I know there's alot more hunter's in those area's

[@Hunting4knowledge]

I'm new to hunting in SE Ohio or maybe all the people I've met just suck, but everyone here in Ohio that I've met that hunts is bow crazy or lazily picks one off of a buddies field. Less good land to access, hunting is becoming expensive. As with most things it's been commercialized to death

[@DavidCundiff-fx2mm]

Make out of state hunting license and deer tags lottery. Would be a start. God forbid the state loses some money for the sake of ohio resident hunters. And have antler restrictions 3 pt on one side.

[@jerimahjohnson8698]

I'm glad something needs to be done here in Ohio. Otherwise we are gonna end up a broken whitetail state like most of the other states. I think that Iowa bunch like skip s and the Iowa bow hunters are a good model for success here in Ohio. They fought off outside influence $ and managed to keep a good thing going. I hope Mike and you guys team up because the pressure coming to bear on Ohio make break us sooner rather than later.

[@HUNTRPOD]

We won’t let the state break. Honestly it should just continue to break antler score records if we make small changes

[@OGFinishingTouch]

Reecogzdofn plans 😮

[@ItsAllGravy0123]

I've hunted basically all of the public land surrounding Columbus Ohio this entire season and its been flooded with hunters. New young ones, new old ones, a ton of illegal immigrants mostly tho. If you haven't noticed by all the Mexican flags on all the trucks around here this is their land now. This country isn't ours. It's not speculation anymore. It's the new reality. But yea huge increase of people in these woods. ALL using crossbow too. Good luck even seeing a deer. Their all pushed out or dead. Not to mention theirs a ton of trail cams everywhere so yea I think we need to lower the doe limit. 6 is a too. Does are this best bait for bucks. Keep the does around you'll keep the bucks around.

[@DavidCundiff-fx2mm]

​@@ItsAllGravy0123100% correct!!!

[@mikefromoh2925]

Eastern Ohio against PA and WV gets gun hunted heavier than other parts of the state… may be people from those states also.

[@jhendo58]

I think things like cell cams, crossbows, straight wall cartridges, etc are all great tools to use in Ohio BUT when u have the exception of baiting thrown into play with all of those other tools it doesn’t work to well especially when you have a bunch of corn piles in every 30, 70, 150+ acres of woods and there’s Atleast a hunter or 2 on each parcel. I’m in that same pool of “I bait because I feel like I have to”…. Baiting has definantly in the last 5-10 years sky rocketed out of control and because of that and an increase of hunting pressure on surrounding parcels the average age of a buck in my area has went from that 3-4 down to the 2-3 range in the last 3-4 years. I do not understand why as a resident of Ohio you would not want baiting to be banned? If baiting was banned I bet you within a couple years age class would go up drastically and on top of that I feel deer #’s would also go up resulting in better quality harvest. I remember in the mid to late 2000’s (2005-2010) hunting with my dad as a young kid the quality of bucks were amazing there were No use of corn piles or anything in the area and the deer population thrived and the rut was unbelieveable Now looking at and hunting the same piece of property that me and dad did when I was a kid is a whole different story in a negative way now the ruts suck because of low deer #’s and the 2 things that made it that way that I have been saying for years is hunting pressure which could potentially lead to over harvesting of a deer herd in an area and then on top of that you have corn piles which make it easier to attract deer mature doe, mature buck, fawn it don’t matter you put corn down and the deer will be there. You eliminate the use of corn piles and magical things will happen in Ohio. Yeah some people may stop hunting but after them couple years after baiting has been banned and they drive down the road in the late summer and see a bachelor group of very nice quality deer feeding in a bean feild I’m sure they’ll plan on buying a license and tag again and if they don’t then hunting just ain’t in their blood. Do the right thing Ohio.. outlaw baiting…losing hunters will hurt you but won’t hurt the real true hunters out here… it’s like a bandaid just rip it off.

[@Keith-x8x]

His baiting theory isn’t up to snuff IMO. First off if you take away the bait there would be a considerable amount of 2-3 year old deer live which in turn helps them get closer to maturity. Also if these hunters who strictly bait quit, IMO, would open the door for real hunters to get back in the game. And I’m not buying hunter numbers dropping is going to take away our right to hunt, that’s a BS excuse!

[@seangaul4618]

I wouldn’t cry a drop if trail cameras we’re never a thing. There are hunters and people that know how to hunt.

[@steveranelli3992]

Not a big fan of feeding during the season. I do agree with Mike we need a strong growing voting base of hunters in Ohio. Just remember you don’t own deer that frequent your property or have the right to tell someone else what to shoot….especially kids. I have been bowhunting Ohio as a resident since the late 80’s. Have killed nice bucks with out bait and cameras and wouldn’t be upset if they ban both but I do think it would hurt our numbers. Also think Ohio should go to a draw for out of state tags like others. Would take some pressure if public lands.

[@ryanbarrows4355]

Bow hunters! Compound or Xbow! Resident and non resident! 100 percent are shooting 5,and 6 year old bucks everywhere in Ohio on private land over corn just as much as gun season or youth season. Don’t think they aren’t

[@TheAbleFarmer]

Gun hunting is way down in Coshocton Ohio where I live. Barely any shots Monday of gun season. Barely any cars packed along the roads. I didn't hear a single shot Saturday morning of gun. Everyone is hunting in archery. Solution imo: 2 week crossbow season. Kids under 16 and people over 60 can use them all of archery.

[@Sean9.8]

I’m from Texas and have no fight in your battle but I have a very hard time understanding how taking away cell cams would help you have bigger bucks? I think that mindset is very short sided. Yes, it may very well help you for a few years . However, as the extra advantage of managing bucks with a cell camera goes away, younger bucks will be shot and in just a few years you will start loosing a whole age class of deer. The cell cam allows people to be pickier . For a trophy buck hunter this should be your ultimate goal

[@Kanook99]

Great point. I would have to believe you have many years of hunting experience. Thank you.

[@IsaacGoodson]

I’ve watched this podcast twice now to form some thoughts on it. With no disrespect, I think both of you are looking at this solely from a nonresident standpoint . From a landowner/resident standpoint, it’s even more challenging for me to manage deer with non resident hunters leasing property near us that used to not be hunted or not nearly as pressured. You guys complain about the price of doe tags, but you don’t complain that you get in to hunt without a lottery and can just come do it over the counter. Limit the number of non resident hunters but make the tags more expensive, the revenue stays the same. Ohio is top 3 states for big bucks, go hunt in Kansas or Iowa the way you can In Ohio. Exactly, you can’t due to the non resident restrictions. Non residents have it too easy in Ohio, just from an Ohio landowner perspective. Love the podcast just wanted to share some thought!

[@codyyamnitz]

Feel the exact same about Missouri

[@trevorwayne3586]

Finally a real hunter podcast Ban Trail Cams Ban Bait

[@chrispark6927]

One thing we can all agree on....if the license plate says Ohio we know they can't drive for shit! 😂

[@mikealrichards508]

I think the answer to the question asked in the podcast about the tipping point was the loss of Meade Westvaco Lands for public access. Once Meade Westvaco sold those properties to other paper companies the access/leasing struggle began.

[@rayvanzytveld7868]

One of the best pod casts I have ever seen. Thank you!

[@Dominic-ti7kq]

ohio should go to a non-resident lottery system and increase the fees if you are selected. that would satisfy the revenue stream without allowing everyone who wants to come to ohio just to kill trophy bucks but still allowing some to. I'm blown away by the number of people I see on social media groups for ohio hunting that ask where the best places to go are since they are coming from out of state, "first time hunting ohio" they all say....

[@RipToeMountain]

Quality input from Mr. Rex, especially the discussion about the introverted nature of older bucks. I live right across the river in WV and have been hunting Ohio since 1993. ODNR with the 1 buck rule, limited type of firearm hunting after the rut makes Ohio a premier big buck destination. Not sure I buy the "high grading" argument with timbering or big bucks. One of my best places in Ohio is near that Intel location and I'm sure I'm gonna lose it soon..I hated that part of this discussion😢. Guess I'll just coyote hunt more. Anyway, its nice to know Ohio has a few actual hunters on these wildlife commissions.

[@mcw-lg2dm]

Wv has the potential to be "almost" as good as Ohio, but the 3 buck limits absolutely kills it. Look at the bow only counties and how they compare to the rest of the state...a one buck limit would be a huge step in the right direction.

[@jerryelliott4447]

I’m a landowner resident in central Ohio, there is a land owner check in option on the odnr site, that’s how I check in my deer, we hand write our tags

[@kylehenderson7205]

Just food for thought! What about being able to use cell cameras but they can't be where you're hunting. Same as your idea with the corn pile line of sight idea?????

[@patrickdickinson375]

IMO, Mike is a people pleaser and is the wrong guy to be making decisions for Ohio. He talked out both sides. The best leaders and policy makers have the “vision and courage” to make tough decisions that might piss off a few people/hunters. Great conversation. 👍🏻

[@HUNTRPOD]

Oh interesting! For sure has to be a people pleaser in that position I guess right?

[@patrickdickinson375]

Maybe 🤷🏼‍♂️… but trying make/keep “everyone” happy is how we get to where we are.

[@garretts1604]

Great episode and talk points gentlemen. Mike is such an accomplished hunter and sound voice for our group(s). As someone who owns land in Ohio, there is no reason for my neighbor with less than 2 acres to have a feeder off the property line. Measures to make things easier eat the effort of hunters …big spoons end up to less miles walked.

[@KillingStuffWithJosephJackson]

As annoying as I’m sure it is to you, there is a reason your neighbor has a feeder up on 2 acres. That might be the only land he has to hunt. It’s also his land. His land is no less his than your (I’m assuming bigger property) is yours. Not everyone can afford much, if any, land especially now with the market. Personally I try to avoid using corn, only use it occasionally as a last resort in a situation where other efforts have been exhausted, and even then don’t use a feeder. But from the sounds of your comment, you don’t think your neighbor should hunt on his land and you want to get rid of baiting and make it even more of a rich man’s game where only those that can afford a lot of land are really in the game.

[@garretts1604]

@@KillingStuffWithJosephJackson You have your opinion, and it is not worth either of our time for a debate to try and sway that. Yes; that is how I feel and without apology. Not to be crass, but I also feel if you cant find the time to scout, work more hours for more funds....your experience will, and should be, parallel to the input. Is it even "hunting" to shoot a deer on a feeder in your acre yard? Seriously? If you're that tight on funds should you be buying gear, bait, tags or posting on YT or sitting in your yard waiting for a deer to show? Less feeling sorry and more feeling motivated would change that situation. My life is from blue collar work and earned wages, nothing bestowed or handed to me. While not inciting this about you; what you shared is the foundation of communist propaganda between.

[@KillingStuffWithJosephJackson]

@@garretts1604 how much money should someone have before you think they are allowed to spend money on gear, tags, or hunting? Some people use hunting as a way to provide meat and not spend that money at a grocery store. I don’t “feel sorry” for anyone… It sounds like you are feeling sorry for yourself because your neighbor is killing “your deer”… Maybe try not feeling sorry for yourself or your situation… How many acres should someone have to own to hunt? 5 acres? 10 acres? 15 acres? 20 acres? 50 acres? 100 acres? What if, let’s say, you own 100 acres and someone who owns 150 acres says you should have to own 125 to be able to hunt?… What if your number that you think someone should have to have to hunt is 20 acres, but in many areas there aren’t many if any 20 acres properties? Does that mean no one that owns land in that whole area should be allowed to hunt and the deer population just go out of control? I 100% believe in working hard to earn money to fund whatever you want to do, but in the meantime some people also make do with what they currently have access to. I’m not saying stuff should be handed to anyone. What did I say that was “Communist Propaganda”?! If anything giving the governing authorities the right to say someone can’t hunt on land that THEY OWN because they don’t own as much as you is closer to communism where the government has total control.

[@myerdixon9733]

This guy is the exact opposite of the PA commissioner you had on a while ago. A true hunter who understands the issues and open to new/different ideas, not just a politician type greaseball. No wonder Ohio has better hunting.

[@bluerockcustomtackle]

Maybe push for a law that limits outfitters or an individual to only be able to lease x amount of properties per county instead of 30, 40, 50. Then at-least local hunters could lease local property and it not be all locked up for outfitted hunts.

[@osu9fan]

Can't agree more with baiting. I also think the number of out of state hunters has discouraged so many people from hunting. It is absolutely insane how many out of state hunters i have seen this year. Something needs changed with both. Along with cell cams imo.

[@mcw-lg2dm]

It's becoming pay to play and these guys are kinda part of the problem. Non residents wanna buy these huge parcels of land put in food plots allow zero hunting and get mad at locals or a neighboring landowner with 4 acres that has a corn pile just to be able to see a deer. Mike has a great point, hunters are all divided, envious, and selfish, and anti hunters are all united on one cause against ALL hunters.

[@longridgehunter]

The bobcat issue brought up at the end is what lost my respect for this council. License purchasing hunters and trappers helped supply data through sightings and incidental catches in traps to ODNR for population studies. A very limited season was set to take place and an anti group pops up and says we don’t want it to happen so the council caved and tabled it. Non license buying group with no data and would like to never see us hunt again took precedence. Throw a camera up on a deer rib cage and you’ll have a bobcat picture in no time, walk a mile in what used to be prime grouse territory and never get a flush but somehow justify a grouse season, doesn’t make sense at all.

[@kevtallboy285]

I hunt 3 different farms in Ohio, we bait on a regular basis and shot a 175 inch 6 year old and a 150 inch 8 point this year, both not on corn… these bucks in Ohio are wising up to corn in a big way. In 10 years you won’t shoot one off of corn they will associate it with danger. Deer adapt well in that manner

[@kevtallboy285]

We used to see big deer on corn more.. but every year it’s less and less, if you see them it’s at 1 in the morning

[@mcw-lg2dm]

If it was as easy as these guys make it out to be though, every hunter would kill giant bucks just with a bag of corn. The truth is these guys that have food plots and giant managed properties think they should be the only ones to kill deer because they sink so much money in. That's the kind of mindset that is making it strictly pay to play, a rich man's sport

[@buck16]

My advice is don't open the can of worms called baiting because one person's idea of baiting can vary tremendously. I've poled non hunters and every one of them believe anything a human put in the ground on the ground on a limb to attract deer and kill them is baiting. They believe food plots, kill plots, mock scrapes, piles of raked up acorns, piles of any food, scents etc. to be baiting and some go on to say it's entrapment. Remember the majority of voters are non-hunters so pushing baiting agenda may go in a direction you don't expect and don't want. Thank you, Mr. Rex, for serving on the Wildlife Council. Your commitment of time and energy is very much appreciated.

[@user-tr9ry2gx5f]

I live in Michigan and the hunter numbers are way down. People from let’s the Detroit area have stop buying these 25 and 40 acre properties because with no baiting they don’t have the time to come up north to hunt and not see anything so the deer ranches have taken off because they can spend less to kill a huge buck than it cost for a piece of property. I plant food plots and it definitely helps for me but a lot of these properties are all woods and they would have to spend a ton to clear parts of it to plant food plots. This is why deer ranches are really doing well in Michigan.

[@kevincottrell695]

Would food plots be considered baiting?

[@phillipthewise7758]

Another great podcast. If you're looking for more content, if you could follow this storyline with wolves and predation in the upper midwest. People need to know the facts about this issue as well. Thanks for your content. I look forward to more in the future.

[@rodw7368]

Another reason state of Ohio needs to raise out of state tags and make outfitters pay fees. I do t understand how outfitters can make money off of the states deer herd and not have to pay fees to do so but if I go to hunt on my cousins property I have to buy tags.

[@rodw7368]

The outfitters continue to lease thousands of acres of land taking permission away from people that have hunted it forever yet the state has done nothing to make them pay to do so

[@hilldweller8610]

Mike looks very fit for his age of 60. It goes l to show what hauling heavy bags of corn and then dragging big trophy bucks will do to keep you lean

[@matthewkope6936]

Great guest!! Great job on the show, volume is great-

[@daveyboy8907]

I just don't understand the if you can't beat em join em mentality on baiting...If you are against baiting the last thing I would do is buy a farm in a baiting state and buy truck loads of corn...Its hypocritical guys..Great show though and keep em coming..I am just waiting on you 2 to be sponsored by ten point..lol

[@dylanskaggs5092]

Yeah I love listening to these guys, learned a lot . But they come off so hypocritical with the bait. I own 13 acres in eastern ohio, I can’t plot that effectively from what I understand. I will try though after this year. I’m a new hunter, I’ll hunt with a revolver during gun and my compound the rest ( I agree with the crossbow stuff) But I get the feeling of “ get the fuck out of here” when I hear these guys say yeah I bought this piece and this piece and I’m going to plot these acres but Damn the neighbor shot my 3 y/o on his 10 acres. Then on the next podcast go on about how limited access is. I’m new to this and sure I don’t get all the nuance but cmon man. Bend both ways and I start to see the true motivation in the center.

[@daveyboy8907]

bingo@@dylanskaggs5092

[@ifn30]

To landowner tag in Ohio you have to call a 3rd party contractor #, and they will ask you all the pertinent questions in regards to your harvest and provide you with a confirmation number for your records. Not to mention a $5 fee. I agree fully that the number of hunters are skewed for this alone, especially when there is no minimum amount of land needed for this process.

[@matthewwest1267]

In my eyes food plots, is like baiting with corn piles but with more sets. If you want to get rid of baiting, I think you should get rid of food plots too.

[@thebowtroll]

If the Ohio DNR believes that baiting is keeping hunters in the Deerwoods, and baiting is only allowed on private land. Why don’t they open up baiting on public ground?"

[@chaddial4123]

Probably because the cops would be there daily settling fights when people shot deer over someone elses corn pile without paying for the corn. 🤣

[@ifn30]

Hunting aside, great job navigating the delay with Mike's remote connection. I see "professionals" on television who don't do half as good with that. Great podcast and keep up the good work fellas!

[@MattJ25]

No offense to Mr. Rex, but this notion that “we are all in this together” is total bullshit. I want there to be a dividing line between me and abled body people who use crossbows during the archery season. Simple as that, we have forever been divided and will forever be divided. Private vs. Public, Hoyt vs. Mathews. The list goes on and on. Great pod as per usual boys!

[@richieriley8467]

Yes exactly rightthere are some people that I would be proud to put in same category as "hunters " some no way they ruin alot of things for alot of people and make us look bad! I know several landowners that won't allow any hunting bc of some so called hunters!

[@odin7682]

How much do you think having a season that runs through to February with a limit of 6 deer is effecting the herd? I understand that only 1 of those 6 is supposed to be an antlered deer however I'd be curious to know how many shed bucks are taken with a season that runs so late. I'm from ontario canada. Generally we have a limit of 1 tag per license holder to be used in whatever season you choose to take a deer (archery, gun, muzzleloader) and you have to enter a draw to get a doe tag. If you get a doe tag that means that you can take a buck or doe with your 1 tag - not that you get an additional tag. You can apply for an additional tag but whether you get one or not is entirely dependent on the wmu you're in and whether or not the ministry is giving out additional tags. For one year in the 2000s the MNR (ministry of natural resources) did allow each hunter to get up to 6 tags, this was probably one of the stupidest things they ever did. *Around this time we also had a substantial Increase in non resident hunters (mostly from quebec) as well as farmers getting huge amounts of depredation tags and finding dead deer who'd been shot with rifles at all times of the year was extremely common* Prior to that year it was common to go out shining and see dozens upon dozens of deer in a single field from fawns to mature bucks. The year they gave out 6 tags was followed by a harsh winter and the rapid influx of coyotes into the province and from my observations the deer herd has never recovered to what it was almost 20 years later. In the years following it was hard to even see a deer out shining at night anymore and the hunting obviously changed alot as well. I'd also like to add (and no I'm not defending crossbows or baiting just stating the facts) that crossbows have never been illegal in Ontario and have always been included as part of archery season and that bait is also legal (at the peak of our herd and for years and years before baiting had little to no restrictions although now is limited to 2.5 gallons with restrictions on time and distances - though I'm not entirely sure of all the specifics as I grow food plots on my private Land and hunt public lands more than my private - and do not bait) - our season runs from Oct 1st to December 31st for Southern regions and October 1st to December 15th for more northern regions

[@royguidry1311]

You are right about the late season. Absolutely no reason for the season to go past antler drop when you can shoot 3 anterless and one antlered. I am sure a pile of bucks are getting smashed especially during muzzle loader season.

[@odin7682]

@@royguidry1311 absolutely. Dan infalt talks about this alot about how he finds dead deer all the time scouting because guys are shooting dropped bucks during these late gun doe seasons then just leaving them to rot when they find them and realize they're bucks so they don't risk getting fined. in terms of the convo these guys were having on the podcast, if the concern is having a better herd and age structure then the most common sense thing to do before banning crossbows and bait for residents would be severely limiting the amount of tags and the amount of non resident hunters. That would be the most sensical approach before implementing restrictions on the ppl who actually live and hunt in these states. Also, I'm really not a fan of chastising guys for shooting 1.5-2.5 year Olds. Alot of guys hunt to put meat in their freezers. Sustenance is the absolute foundation of hunting. I chase mature bucks all season with my tag and pass up younger bucks and does the entire time, but when it gets to the end I'm punching a tag and filling my freezer because as an individual filling the freezer takes priority

[@jacobcannon8441]

What's the significant difference with corn fields v corn feeder, and soy bean plot v bag of roasted soy beans? Baiting v food plot? I understand the work it takes to plant and maintain a plot, but they both draw in deer artificially. Imo a food plot is more effective anyway.

[@Outdoors-pl3mk]

Is the a different between a pond and a cup of water? Foodplots are usually planted for overall herd health and better quality. Yes some deer are shot of of them but they are longer lasting food sources and don’t severely alter a deer movement in the land scape since it’s there all the time. Most guys who bait deer are strictly doing it to kill deer and usually put the bait out during that period of time. Also it’s proven that corn kernels have little to no long term nutritional benefits. Corn piles can also be put out anywhere on the landscape which will severely alter the deer movement as well as turn deer more nocturnal when every time they come to a corn pile there is a hunter sitting 20 yards away from it!

[@cjging2436]

I liked what Mike had to say. It also sounds like some out-of-state guys that own or lease land in OH looking for big bucks don't like that the locals are shooting "their" deer. That's kind of funny!

[@Kanook99]

Not their deer! Never hear Lee and Tiffany or the Drury brothers pissing and moaning about someone else shooting « their » deer. It’s a fact of life, just buy the whole, state if it’s a problem! You get my drift?

[@StickNString]

These guys get way too focused and tied into the crossbow debate. Other than that good show.

[@rodneypeck197]

Yeah Especially with their twenty five hundred dollars Hoyt 80lbs lol

[@patrickbeck6793]

Love these guys, but I couldn’t stop laughing at the irony of them having the guy on who shot that record buck with no cell cam footage, no preparation, and a crossbow 😂

[@simmy5454]

I feel like the crossbow debate is a big deal so I’m glad they are talking about it. They have a logical voice, perspective, and platform to discuss it and without those nothing changes for the better. Not to mention they provide usually great comedy in one form or another when it gets discussed lol.

[@Keith-x8x]

Crossbows that shoot 500fps and have light gathering scopes! 😂😂😂 Take away their scopes and give ‘em a Speed limit, that would be fair IMO. I mean where does it end with crossbows! They have a huge advantage

[@StickNString]

@@Keith-x8x Well take our 300 fps vertical bows and have use shoot stick bows with wooden arrows like the Indians did back in the day? They complain so much about cross bows, but when someone like this guest here is talking about keeping the number of hunters in the game even if they are cross bow hunters. These two guys complain about them using a cross bow but it’s a legal way of killing a deer. Me personally I think food plots is a form of baiting, but it’s legal to do so. I don’t get upset when someone is legal, I might not agree with it but I don’t push my beliefs onto others. To me their debate on cross bow hunters are like they shouldn’t be able to use them even if they have a disability. Even if this will hurt the votes and keep PETA and congress to stop hunting they still hope cross bows get banned or they have their own season. I think that is complete bullshit. Because next thing you will have smaller windows to actually bowhunt with a compound bow. Just leave the topic alone, they beat a dead horse all the time on cross bow hunters. I like their show but damn man move on. Cross bows are easier to shoot and takes less time to get dialed in. If they feel that is way to easy and it takes away from tradition of getting ready and sharpening your skills then stop using cell cameras, or stop using food plots.

[@brandynbranham3539]

Just a thought on the discussion about the biggest bucks being killed later in the season . As a 40+ year headhunter from Ohio, the big ones breed all the does that are close in their core area, they don’t have to travel looking for does. Until later, in the full rut. That’s one reason muzzleloader season kicks ass.

[@HUNTRPOD]

Seems logical

[@scottdammeyer655]

Get rid of cell cams, baiting and crossbows. May the best hunter win.

[@mississippimanoutdoors6154]

I've listened to this channel enough to get a good grasp on these guys. That swole up fella is trying to compensate for something.

[@royguidry1311]

It’s obvious why baiting has changed. Walmart, tractor supply, and rural kings selling bagged corn to Joe average. 20 years ago you had to go to a farmer or ag store.

[@davebarley8719]

My opinion is people are getting out of it cause they are getting tired of being criticized for using a cross bow or hunting or a bait pile or not shooting a big enough buck instead of bashing someone we all need to come together

[@HUNTRPOD]

not the case as all lol more people using crossbows and bait than ever which is fine, but why are we still losing hunters

[@ronaldols8975]

@@HUNTRPOD because there sick of not seeing deer and not having a place to hunt as public is overrun with nonresidents. I personally know at least a half dozen people that have quit for these very reasons.

[@timmarcum2728]

As a ohio resident with less than 10 acres if your in a area with no pressure then corn piles may help kill mature bucks. But if there pressure in your area I doubt it I don't hunt over corn but I do have a pile just to get pics of what's around reason why I don't hunt it because mature bucks don't use it in day light will see does and yearlings use it daily from time to time a 2 or 3 year old but in 5 years I've never seen a mature 150 + use it during day light always at night that's why I don't if only it was that easy

[@ThreeHuntersandbow]

I am from GA and I have used corn every year I have hunted but not once killed a buck off it, I only am able to kill them off of trails/scraps

[@brandonf.4470]

Great convo. I’d love to get rid of piles and cameras state-wide. Getting rid of cams on public especially (baiting already illegal on public). I completely agree that most people would be lost without those options here in OH. I’d disagree with blaming gun hunters for harvesting the majority of deer over bait piles. Yes, no doubt it’s an overwhelming amount. If you haven’t, read the OHDNR harvest report for 2022. I think you’ll find lots of answers there. Another thing, you guys were estimating the overall baiting percentage. I “believe” that report mentioned says 94% of the take was on private. Now that’s assuming but it’s a good start right there. Lastly, if I were king for a day, I’d make private and public land tags. Public being a draw because my experiences, while routinely successful, have been getting worse and worse. That’s coming from a guy that values opportunity as the priority.

[@huntfishandgrow4140]

Crossbows and corn piles, boys, let’s go

[@ukjw2]

Dunno how you complain about corn piles so much then go plant dozens of acres of food and run 50+ cellular cameras lol. Hypocritical imo

[@richieriley8467]

Ohio’s 2022-23 statewide deer harvest, by individual season: Archery: 99,742 Weeklong and two-day gun seasons: 87,095 Four-day muzzleloader season: 13,617 Two-day youth season: 9,515 Controlled firearm hunts: 1,008 Most popular hunting implements: Crossbow: 71,701 (34%) Straight-walled cartridge rifle: 56,437 (26%) Shotgun: 36,398 (17%) Vertical Bow: 28,041 (13%) Muzzleloader: 17,854 (9%) Handgun: 546 (1%) If they cant see the numbers from last yr and see crossbows might be an issue then never will. The archery kill numbers rising bc of then as well.

[@richieriley8467]

I have no problem with crossbows for youth , elderly, disabled but the numbers show you everyone uses them now even guys that used to shoot compounds bc of the effectiveness, range and ease

[@richieriley8467]

Thank you Huntr for the recent podcasts on the issues facing Ohio the one with Don higgins was great as well. Glad to see others starting to see we face some problems and ultimately the herd should take priority if we truly care about the animal we pursue.

[@richieriley8467]

Lifelong Ohio Resident and bowhunter of 23 yrs and I can honestly say I'm losing my passion for it just the way things are in Ohio. I have also lost all my private access other than 2 small 20 acre parcels. Public is tough and with my job I dont get much time ...

[@brob-zy8zi]

Crossbows have been allowed in Ohio for 40 years. What is making them a problem just now? I'm being honest not making a point. Why are they now a problem?

[@richieriley8467]

@brob-zy8zi I'd say the newer ones shooting 500 fps illuminating scopes with built in rangefinders . I think like people have said it's the combination of them bait cell cams just lot of things have changed . I know people that never bowhunted before do now with crossbow. Hence why this yr gun kills down bc more people bowhunting then gun nowadays seems.

[@mckinneysoutdoorservice1231]

Mike know what he is talking about, hope you guys have him back

[@trevormullard3063]

I wish NY would shorten the gun season and go to a one buck state. I think that recipe alone would be a game changer. Great podcast fellas.

[@myerdixon9733]

Plus NY gets a lot of out of state guys from MA, PA, NJ, NH and they can all shoot two bucks too! ridiculous

[@rodneypeck197]

I'm seeing more big bucks now in NY then the 1990s eariy 2000s. There definitely less hunter/ Access in ny during the gun season. Gun shot have went way down in pass ten years.

[@garretts1604]

NY sucks because of our hunting culture. While I agree the DEC is a joke of an organization; The hunters of NY have no selfcontrol and think of nothing but themselves.

[@Kanook99]

Goes to show every state has different rules. Which tells me that even the so called experts can’t agree on what’s good or bad for the animals. As hunters we have to evolve to whatever is thrown our way.

[@aaronvaught8027]

If cameras ever go in Oklahoma I'm filing federal lawsuit 💯. Here is another thing to look at. How many times have we seen sign placed a camera and nothing mature in that spot. I would hate to waste my time in an area with no mature bucks

[@johnmarentette1141]

You can bait in Michigan in the Upper peninsula and you can’t use a cross bow after rifle season in the UP.

[@ryanfarmer5155]

And the UP still sucks, even with baiting. Not nearly what is was just 10 years ago. Michigan as a whole is so poorly managed and hasnt changed in decades

[@prose2119]

Take a shot everytime HUNTR podcast says "cornpile" 🤣

[@rorynelson7548]

I take a shot every time they say cornpile, crossbow, Ohio, buck, big, bow, deer, hunters, biologist, biology, hoyt, Muddy, cell cam, score, Ag, truck, hunting, access, public, private, Pennsylvania, giant,

[@rodneypeck197]

😂😂

[@Kanook99]

@@rorynelson7548hopefully you didn’t watch the whole podcast because you’d be all fucked up!👍🏻

[@haydenouellette3344]

For true hunters like myself, no matter what changes for hunting to make things harder, I’ll still be determined too hunt and be successful. I think if hunting becomes a little harder too do and you just give up on it, you weren’t a true hunter too begin with.

[@ukjw2]

What he said at 1:04 about certain age class big bucks being killed is exactly what Dan infalt says. Exactly.

[@AdamGrubbs-g7r]

First off I am not an advocate of baiting or corn piles. I have a real problem with the fact that people are actively feeding the same animals that do potentially billions of dollars in crop damage every year in this country. As far as having no access to hunting grounds, my wife and I own a farm that boarders a very rugged 5000 state wildlife area. Basically the only pressure that it sees is the first day of gun season and the Saturday of gun season, with a few bowhunters the first week of November. I don’t think that the state has an access problem as much as it has a laziness and a lack of basic woodsman-ship problem. Just as with most things in this world people want the easy way out… keep fighting the good fight guys. Love the show.

[@michaelfryeii8466]

I have a thing if you take away compounds and you have to hunt with a traditional bow I think 80% of hunters including most of you guys . Can't get a deer I have a challenge for you guys pick up a traditional bow I bet you can't get a deer your first year with it. I just hate when people say this ant fair . If you can talk the talk then walk the walk.

[@harmjass8178]

If you are in Iowa and are feeding "baiting" deer altering there natural movement during hunting season on a 10 or 20 acre plot of land. GOOD LUCK with the DNR!!

[@york-daddyyork8526]

I don’t believe in baiting either but who are you to tell someone what they can do on their own private property we all know that you can’t bait on public land. The problem is you think you’re such a good hunter that that 45 6 1/2 year old deer is yours but it’s not that deer has the free range to go wherever it wants. Mike just told you if you took away all the hunters then the caliber of deer go down but you keep trying to argue because you want the deer and you don’t want anybody else to have a chance at shooting it.

[@bb8503]

Another question is #1 how many people actually buy a license if they have an easy access property where they probably wouldn’t get caught. #2 how many people that do buy a license actually tag all their deer they harvest? That as well could affect the number on paper with hunters and deer harvested. The biggest thing for me coming from an Arkansas stand point is how long the season is especially rifle. You add corn to that it also increases the amount of bucks taken and don’t make it to older age class. So maybe you don’t take everything away or one in general to deter hunters but definitely limit the time frames for gun/crossbow/corn/cameras etc. I do believe that alone would make hunters become better hunters. I don’t want to just kill an industry and ban one of those all together. I think that could be one way to compromise an not give or take everything from one side or the other and see where that takes things. 🤷‍♂️

[@stdavis22]

Ive never hunted over bait as its illegal where i am, but am i wrong in thinking the deer pattern it quickly? Like you might get 1 kill off a bait pile in legal shooting light

[@rogerwillis6460]

I would pay 5 to 10 dollars more for a license if the odnr would use the money to aquire more land for hunter access.

[@hunterkoehler9445]

No hunters have quit here in the CWD areas of Ohio because of no baiting lol

[@HUNTRPOD]

Excellent point!

[@ronniegreene6556]

These guys are pushing the ban on cell cameras but are being sponsored by cell cam companies!! 😂 What the heck? Mike is giving you guys actual info regarding the questions your asking for but refuse to digest it.

[@anitafisch7558]

I think baiting was illegal in Ohio in the late 60s and early 70s.

[@ronaldols8975]

so was leasing