Tel-A-Check only keeps track of deer quantity, not quality

Shelton Young - Outdoors

The KY Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources held a public meeting on Monday evening, Feb. 28.
Dr. James Angel, our 4th District Commissioner, arranged this meeting at Centre Square so we, the public, could ask him and other KDFWR professionals questions.
Foremost of interest was the consideration of moving our current status of a Zone 3 to a Zone 4 for the 2011 deer season.
This, as I understood it, would give us another six days...for bucks only...tacked on the end of the season. The reality, for those who work and kids in school, is another weekend to hunt (for bucks).
A survey, that I hadn’t heard of, was available online to determine how hunters felt about various issues. Since the survey end date was that evening, there’s no point in giving you a website now. However, those of us in attendance at the meeting took the test.
The tel-a-check system was explained and some questions I’d previously held were answered. First, it saves the KDFWR about $250,000 each year. And yes, the system only considers the “quantity” of deer taken, and not the “quality”. As an example: If 10 deer are called in, the KDFWR will know how many were does and how many were bucks. For discussion, let’s say half were bucks. That’s it! Five bucks! No way to know if they were small bucks or 10-pointers!
Quantity can sort of be controlled by seasons and limits. Quality is up to the landowner, or better yet, a group of landowners with adjoining properties.
This group can set standards for their properties that are more than the state, but not less. State says a buck with “visible” antlers is legal. Landowners can say that nothing less than an eight-pointer can be taken on their properties.
My other question was “How predation by coyotes affects the deer herd side?”
Dr. Tina Brunjes, the states deer and elk program coordinator, gave what was to me, the most honest answer I’ve ever gotten.
 It seems that available data doesn’t show a significant impact. But, coyotes will kill/eat anything they can, so they do take fawns. How many? Nobody knows. But, there’s a proposal to conduct a study to find out.
I, for one, appreciate the fact that the KDFWR is coming into communities to solicit opinions and offer explanations as to how, and why, things are done the way they are. So, to Dr. Angel and the KDFWR crew, thank you!
Another reason we lack quality bucks is due to poachers! Some people feel they have the right to kill anything, by any means they choose.
When caught, they are fined and lose their hunting privileges. They’re illegally killing deer anyway; so what does the loss of hunting privileges accomplish? Since we don’t have an officer assigned to our county, the odds of getting caught are remote.
To stop, or slow, illegal hunting. Take their weapons, take their vehicles, take their money and give them jail time (to be served on weekends, if they have a job). Don’t threaten, don’t probate sentences, don’t worry about who it is or if there’s room for them in jail.
These people are criminals, treat them like criminals.
For several weeks, I’ve fussed about the amount of ethanol allowed in our gas. Government allowed 10 percent (E-10), now they’re going to allow 15 percent (E-15). E-10 can dissolve gas lines, seals, tanks and most anything rubber/petroleum based. So our gas is bad for engines? Yes, but at close to $3.40 a gallon...for now...the cost alone is going to hurt us all. This is whether you drive a 4x4, tow a boat or run a boat!
Next week’s “how to” article is going to be about how to install oar locks in a bass boat.
Our next 4-H Fishing meeting will be at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 15, at the Marion County Extension Office.
At this meeting we’ll learn about healthy snacks and how to prepare them. Usually, my idea of snacks to take fishing were Vienna Sausage and Moon Pies.
So, obviously I won’t be the one teaching the session. Our Marion County Extension Agent for Family and Consumer Services Elizabeth Creed will be on hand to discuss healthy snacks, how to prepare them and probably offer some samples.
Our Marion County Extension Agent for Youth Development Rebecca Hill will also be there. We’re going to discuss the possibility of having a booth for our 4-H groups in addition to the traditional 4-H Silent Auction booth.
This, hopefully, will be our last “indoor” meeting cause “We’re going fishing!”
On March 13 the Mid-Kentucky Bass Anglers will host our first tournament of the 2011 season. This “Cabin Fever” tournament will be “open,” meaning anybody can fish it!
It’ll be on Fagan Branch, launching at 9 a.m. with a 3 p.m. weigh-in. Don’t forget the time change this weekend.
Fees will be $20 per angler with a payout to three places based on a 50/30/20 percent division.
Big bass will be an “optional,” $5 per boat, with a 100 percent payout to the biggest bass. Check out MidKYBass.com.
On March 26 you’ll want to consider fishing the Cystic Fibrosis Tournament on Barren River. $50 entry per boat, $2,500 total payout, $500 big bass.
Call (270) 576-1594 for information.
Tournament to help Kids With Cancer will be on Green River Lake April 2. Call William Rector, (270) 789-8596 or email him at peterbilt450@yahoo.com for information.
There’s a National Wild Turkey Federation Banquet March 26 at Springfield’s River of Life Church.
Doors open at 5 p.m. with the meal at 6:30 p.m. Call 1 (859) 481-8398 for information.
Guess that’s it for now. Get out and enjoy what Mother Nature has to offer. Stay safe and I’ll see ya next week!