GMMAT

I posed this question during the off-season and it was met with a LOT of resistance. I didn't want to "buck" the system, and dropped it.

The contest IS skewed towrds guys from the midwest states, that's for sure.....but it is what it is. "I" think adding a doe WOULD highlight the importance of herd mgmt (I'd hazard a guess that MOST areas don't have a healthy buck:doe ratio). if does counted the same......(ex. - 50 points; 25 points....whatever) it would be fair to all. I;m guessing we don't have more than 1 person who can only harvest 1 deer, per team entered. Just place 1 of those persons on each team to keep it fair. It could work if the powers that be wanted it to.

If I were in a big buck state.....I wouldn't want it to change, either. Being from a state that isn't, though......I don't see one thing wrong with it.

Austin/WI

I'm from a big buck state and I think it's a great idea. Taking does is important to herd health and almost everyone tries to put one or two on the ground every year anyway, so why not make it count? Also, think about some of us who have EAB regs, we're forced to shoot an antlerless deer before taking a shot at a buck.

bawanajim

If you don't like the contest as is,don't get in it ![]

Some of us don't need to kill to say we are hunters.

GMMAT

And some of us don't need to kill ONLY bucks to say WE are "hunters". What's the harm? Really?????

bawanajim

Lets make it real fair and deduct 150 points for hit but not recovered deer,that way we would not encourage reckless or less desirable shots taken for the sake of the "team".

GMMAT

Now you're just wanting to argue. I thought I posed a fair question.

How would adding a doe encourage reckless or less desireable shot attempts?

bawanajim

E.A.B. areas come to mind.

GMMAT

If it's already an EAB zone, what would this rule (contest) change? If it isn't.....simply take the doe after the buck (or before)....whenever a valid shot opportunity presents itself.

This rule change (whether it ever materializes or not) would be the ONLY part of the contest that was 100% "fair". A doe from any part of the country would count the same. Common sense tells us that it isn't that way with bucks.

I'm not bitter about the contest AT ALL. I enjoy the comaraderie of my teammates VERY much. I've made lifelong friends from it. I've also scored for my team each year I've entered.....and don't have any reservations that I will, next year. It's not about "me". I'd just like to know the real reason some don't like the idea.

In a way.....I understand that there's "tradition", but the contest IS only 3 years old (counting this year). Where's the real harm?

huntingson

If you guys want to have that in the contest, why not just start your own contest? I am not trying to be negative or argumentative, but Rob gives up a lot of time for this contest, he doesn't want to change it, and I think it is only fair that what he says goes as far as this contest is concerned. This contest is a great time, a great way to meet a few new guys and talk about hunting. These arguments about the scoring,or changing the contestjust detract from that IMHO.

Maybe next year one of you guys could start a separte score sheet for the same teams that just keeps track of does and goes by weight or something. Just a thought.

GR8atta2d

I like the way it is. If someone wants to run a doe contest than do that. But don't put more work on the guy who's kind enough to do this one.

ALSO adding doe would only increase the number of participants, I think this year it's out of hand with so may in the contest. I know the benefit to the site is more hits etc.. But on my team for instance we basically have 3 of us participating at any "active" level.

There are many variations/changesto the contest that could be incorporated. I have a lot of ideas, BUT I don't have to do the work. I'd be glad to help and maybe next year we could have a contest commitee. Members like myself, and I'm sure plenty of others, who would do what-ever Rob needed. But I believe any contest talk or possible changes should be discussed in the off season.