We could broadcast deer pornos in the central and western parts of the state to get the deer hornier. Maybe slip some corn whiskey in with the corn? Get them does "in the mood"????
We could restrict hunting licenses in the central/western part of MA for a decade and let the #'s grow that way, too.
I'm not sure what we are supposed to do. Honestly. While I'm being funny, I'm trying to get what the State is supposed to do. We get one guy that's pissed that an area is off limits to fishing (and it's one small area in a HUGE fishing ecosystem in the state). So restrictions aren't gonna fly for existing hunters.
But TBH, I'm a dumb fisherman (not being facetious - really I am). If there is something that the state SHOULD be doing, I'd like to hear about it.
What can be done in central/western MA?
Open season on Coyotes any way any how, all year long.
One buck only west of 495.
Antler restrictions in Western MA to let little bucks live.
All state land managed by quota lottery tag statewide. Unlimited tags east of 495 if needed for population reduction on state lands. Western state land have low amounts of quota tags.
More on this below.
Hunting private land permission only, none of this its not posted free to walk in on shit.
Shut off all doe permits west of 495 until deer per square mile reaches a much better number say 30 dpsm. Micro manage areas as needed, meaning close to 495 allow some permits if the deer pop gets to large, or there aren't many areas to hunt.
All does must be checked east of 495 at a local check station. if killed on private land show permission slip from Landowner at time of check in. If killed on state land, show quota tag as proof you have tag. Any unchecked/untagged does found in a person's vehicle west of 495 are illegal and will be cause for loss of license/fines/jail.
Manage kills on state land by lottery kill quota, meaning, each state land area. For instance....like Barre Falls Dam Area, is only given 50 deer permits buck only, per year to be taken out of it. Other state land areas the same give permits that way state land kill and hunting and kill can be controlled more. This is the way CT state land is managed, and many other states as well during firearms seasons, as not to over kill any one state area. In MA, state lands are a deer killing free for all with no limit on hunters, and some areas just get hammered.
Manage all archery on state land the same way with a kill quota, until the actual deer per square mile is 30 or more in Central/Western Zones.
Keep some Western MA State lands archery only never to be hunted by gun to keep the quality up, and have antler restrictions as well in those areas.
Do helicopter surveys in the winter to get an accurate deer count......not just walk an area, spook some deer.
Manage land for more edge cover, less forest, more fields
Plant crops for deer food on WMA's, plant food trees on WMA's, open the canopy around food trees, log actively for wildlife.