The WDNR is just forcing us to do something we should have been doing in the first place. If everybody would just target more does, problem solved. I can't tell you how many guys I know that refuse to shoot a doe, but are more than happy to shoot a 4" spike. To give you an example: The first year of the 4 day "preaseason" one guy I know put a human dummy in his front yard. The dummy was laying face down with arrows sticking out of it's back and a sign reading "DOE HUNTER" over it. This is an extreme example, but gives you an idea of the basic attitude in my area. Bugs the bleep outta me. I've tried a ton of recipes, and horns just don't taste good no matter how you make them. In my opinion, once you've shot 5 forks/spikes, you shouldn't be shooting any more. Buy your bonus tag, nail a nice fat tasty doe and leave those smaller bucks for the kids (or for next year). With the bonus tag you're still able to go out and hunt for a trophy (whatever that is in your mind). Too many people have the attitude that "if I didn't shoot him, somebody else would have". Who cares? Stop being a greedy jackass. If you shoot that little buck, he's definately dead. If you let him walk, he might survive or he might be shot by some 12 year old first timer that will treasure that little rack for the rest of his life. What are you gonna do with it besides cut it off and throw it in the corner of the garage. I've lost a few friends over this topic, so I don't talk about it with anyone anymore. Now I just try to embarass guys. Too bad you can't shoot a nice buck buddy. Maybe when you get to be a big boy you'll shoot something with 6 points. And no, I've never shot a "big" buck in my life, but I sure shoot does any chance I get. Eeeerrrrhhhh! Now I'm getting worked up all over again. Sorry to vent, but I hold this in a little too much for my health.
I do have one big problem with the earn-a-buck idea. I know, beyond any doubt that bucks are being left to rot in the woods. It's either that, or face a heafty fine for shooting a buck out of season. If the horns are small, they're very hard to spot. Especially if there's a bit of brush or a bit of distance between you and the target. That really bothers me. If it's my shot, I'm taking the deer home. I'll take the chance of a big fine for violating the deer so that it doesn't go to waste, but most guys won't, and I can't blame them. I was thinking that maybe the law could be written so that if you don't earn the buck this year, you can still legally register it, but you can't shoot any bucks next year. But, thinking about it, I know there are many guys that will leave a deer rot in the woods rather than give up there chance to shoot another fork next year.
Sorry to ramble guys, but I'm a little grouchy today, and this is one of my biggest peeves and I can see it starting all over again this year. This whole thing should be in the GOM, but this applies specifically to WI, so I posted here. God bless, and good luck this season.
kero