I could use some numbers on actual kills by bowhunters...

[TreasonousBastard]

This discussion thread was locked as off-topic by krispos42 (a host of the Gun Control & RKBA group).

did some searching and things are all over the place.

Here's the problem...

We have a deer problem (who doesn't) and have a grant to get state hunters in to cull the heard. Besides the usual kill 'em vs no kill fight, we have a large contingent of bow hunters who want a bigger shot at the deer (pun intended)

I'm thinking both will be needed, but have absolutely no idea how many of these 1500 or so local hunters can shoot anything. I have visions of deer all over the town with arrows in their butts hobbling off to a slow death or miserable, and shorter, life. And arrows in other things and places even worse.

There are bow hunter associations and such, and I've managed to find one source that claims they managed to kill 2 deer per acre, and another that seems to say for every two hunters out there one deer was taken. That wouldn't make a dent out here. And nobody wants to talk about how many dogs were shot by mistake.

So, anyone seen reliable sources concerning training, kill rates, or anything else useful in for the discussion.

And, are there ways to vet these hotshots to find the ones who can actually find a deer?

[gejohnston]

1. Interesting question,

may I suggest Outdoor Life?

[Jenoch]

2. I have some questions.

In what municipality are you located? What is the terrain and housing situation? I have a friend who is a cop and the city he worked for put up a feeding station in a large park, I think it was 60 acres, and they used .223 rifles (legal in Minnesota for deer) at night. They shined the deer. Of course the city got permits from the DNR and actually worked closely with the police department. Only cops who were experinced deer hunters were part of the culling.

Back to your question about culling deer with bows. There are companies out there who specialize in doing exactly what it is you to have happen. The city contracts with the company, who are insured and bonded, and they come in and do the job. I am not all that familiar ith it, but I do know jt's not cheap. I suppose it's better than a bunch of deer with arrows in the butts.

My brother's first deer by bow was shot through the ass. The arrow was high up from the side so it actually hit the back end of the spine.

Edit: I see you are on Long Island. I have no idea how to vet the local bow hunters. I did see on some CATV channel a reality show of some guys shooting deer at night using night vision goggles. There are companies out there that do this culling at night.

[prairierose]

3. My grandfather used to get 2 deer every year....

one during rifle season and one during bow season. He did that for more years than I can remember. The question is whether your local bow hunters are any good. It is possible.

[Eleanors38]

4. An article some years back in one of the hunting mags covered this.

Featured was one outfit equipped with .223 rifles, stands, sound suppressors and night vision. They used a biologically-determined list of deer sex/age from which to cull, and were required to RECOVER a shot deer before going to another. The recovered deer was immediately transported off-site to a field dressing & processing station by part of the crew. From there, the deer were distributed to food pantries.

Next morning, everyone jogging with Fifi couldn't tell that some 60 deer had been removed. Cost: 100k. Team leader was a Marine sharp-shooter with a PhD in biology.

Recently, a man was arrested in Austin for killing a deer in a municipal park. He used a bow, and took the meat, but was charged with some kind of littering violation because he left the hide & ofal behind. I wonder if a bow hunter could legally shoot a deer on private land in a city as long as the gut pile is removed.

[ileus]

5. You believe bowhunters shoot dogs by mistake?

Like anything else you have to practice, practice, practice. But the right equipment and take only sure thing shots. For My son and I that's a max of 25 (maybe 30 yards)

In urban settings I'd think most encounters would be within 30 yards and you'd see an easy 50% rate by hunters (not airsoft kids with bows)

Hit right tracking is easy....lots of times not even necessary.

[krispos42]

6. Locking

This topic does not meet the SoP of the Group. I think it would be at home in Outdoor Life Group instead.

Regards,
Krispos42, Group Host