2008 MS Deer Hunting Contest Rules and Guidelines

[theredmission]

It’s back, and here it is: the 2008 M-S.com Deer Hunting Team Contest! We know many of you have been waiting a while for this to be posted, but it’s finally here and time to get things started. There have once again been some minor changes made so please
team be sure to thoroughly read this entire post (as well as any other “official” thread) so you know how it’s going to work.

CONTEST FORMAT

The contest will be run according to all Michigan whitetail deer seasons during the 2008 calendar year (including youth, early, and late seasons). The picture of your deer must be submitted no later than midnight January 3rd, 2009

The 2008 contest will be operated in an one buck – one doe format. In regards to weapon you will have one of three choices when signing up:
A-Bow only B-Gun only C-Any weapon
You are free to choose whichever you would like but whichever you choose you will be restricted to only submitting deer which you harvest with only that weapon. The one ‘curve’ to this is that bonus points will be added to teams at the end of the season for having members which choose either bow or gun only. (2 points for each member who chooses a specific weapon).

REGISTRATION

The sign up will begin on August 13st and close at 11:59PM Sunday September 7th, 2008. After registration has closed teams will be created at random and will be posted in a thread titled “2008 M-S Deer Hunting Contest Teams” at a date to later be announced. For logistical reasons the contest will be limited to 200 members at this time and will be first come first serve.

DIRECTIONS

This contest will include only legal wild Whitetail deer taken during the 2008 Deer season in Michigan.

If you have a successful hunt (as we all will) submit your deer for scoring by completing the following (if any steps are missed or incorrect your deer WILL NOT count!!!):

1- Take a picture w/ you and the entire deer. (Not just the head!) A 2008 Michigan Deer Tag must also clearly be displayed in the picture. To prove what weapon was used 1 of 2 things must happen. Either the weapon used must be clearly displayed with you and your deer, or a close up picture of your FILLED tag with weapon used marked off must be provided.

2-Upload your deer to the MS.com 2008 MichiganBucks.com gallery

3-Post your picture in the thread titled: 2008 M-S Deer Hunting Contest Photo Entry with the following information below the picture (in this exact order)

Your username
Your team number and name
Sex of the deer
The number of tines that are longer than 1 inch (main beam counts) - (If 1 inch tine is questionable supply a photo with a measurement against the tine for verification.)
Date the deer was taken
The weapon you used to take the deer

4-(Optional) Post the picture of you and the deer somewhere in your team thread to let them know of your success.

SCORING:

As previously described, each hunter will be allowed to submit 1 antlered and 1 antlerless deer for scoring. You will be allowed to cull your buck if you shoot a second one that is bigger than the first one that you entered.

Antlerless (ANY deer with antlers of LESS than 3 inches in length)=5 points
An antlered deer will= 5 points + the number of tines one inch or longer.

Scoring will be kept in the Scoreboard thread and will be updated every few days as new posts arrive and are reviewed in the successful hunter thread.

Keep in mind that this contest is for fun and should never be taken too seriously. As we go deeper into this we surely will find discrepancies as well as unforeseen circumstances that may appear to hinder any one person or his/her team. While we will do our best to reasonably accommodate any governing abnormality that may arise and we can't guarantee everyone's complete satisfaction. Please remember that each case will be judged individually and given the same consideration regardless of who is requesting or when they do so.

Please keep this thread for questions regarding the contest, as the actual thread to sign up will be forthcoming.

Thanks and here’s to a great ‘ 08 season,

HunterHads
theredmission
Steve
Kelly Johnson

*** Note to everyone…(To keep things simple and organized please refrain from starting additional threads in this section as more will be added as the contest progresses .)

[Sabre03]

Any Thoughts on a reserve list. Sometimes teammates do not show up or do not participate, and it would be nice to boot them off the team and get a replacement. Maybe first 200 are on a team, and if 20 more show up, they are saved for reserves if needed

[theredmission]

Any Thoughts on a reserve list. Sometimes teammates do not show up or do not participate, and it would be nice to boot them off the team and get a replacement. Maybe first 200 are on a team, and if 20 more show up, they are saved for reserves if needed

That was done last year on an as needed basis and worked fine. Will probably do the same again.

[autumnlovr]

I'm going to beat Wyldkat with this question....will we try to put a women's team together?
And...thank you for the "any weapon" choice. I'm currently in physical therapy because my shoulders are messed up & I can't draw my bow back right now. :sad: They swear I'll be good by Oct. 1 but just in case....I can still participate with gun (but bow will ALWAYS be my 1st choice!).

[wyldkat49766]

i'm going to beat wyldkat with this question....will we try to put a women's team together?
And...thank you for the "any weapon" choice. I'm currently in physical therapy because my shoulders are messed up & i can't draw my bow back right now. :sad: They swear i'll be good by oct. 1 but just in case....i can still participate with gun (but bow will always be my 1st choice!).

lmfao...... Womens team!!

[QDMAMAN]

Thanks guys for all your hard work puting this together, it's much appreciated.
Big T

[theredmission]

Hmmm not many views yet, and the sign up thread is almost here? Wheres all the interest this year???

[FullQuiver]

Hmmm not many views yet, and the sign up thread is almost here? Wheres all the interest this year???


Maybe everyone is watching the Olympics? :gaga:

[Mightymouse]

Quick question just to make sure that I am reading things right.

If I choose "combo" and then take a deer with my bow and enter it, there will be no bonus points added to the deers score for being harvested with a bow?

The only available way to earn bonus points for your team is to enter as gun or bow only correct?

If that is correct it makes my weapon choice tough. Do majority of hunting with a bow and generally harvest at least one animal with my bow, also gun hunt and know if I choose bow only I will drop a nice buck on Nov. 15th and not be able to enter it......

48 days and counting!!!

[KS up north]

The 2008 contest will be operated in an one buck – one doe format. In regards to weapon you will have one of three choices when signing up:
A-Bow only B-Gun only C-Any weapon
You are free to choose whichever you would like but whichever you choose you will be restricted to only submitting deer which you harvest with only that weapon. The one ‘curve’ to this is that bonus points will be added to teams at the beginning of the season for having members which choose either bow or gun only. (2 points for each member who chooses a specific weapon).

SCORING:

Antlerless (ANY deer with antlers of LESS than 3 inches in length)=5 points
An antlered deer will= 5 points + the number of tines one inch or longer.



Suppose I choose "bow only" and shoot a doe.
I would earn 5 points for the deer, and 2 bonus points for limiting myself to "bow only" for a total of 7 points.
That is the way I read it.
Correct?

[ant1901]

If we choose to use a crossbow during firearms season would that count as a gun kill if we have gun as our primary weapon? or would it not be allowed to be added as a gun kill? Or can it be entered as a bow kill if we choose our primary as bow but still take the deer during firearm season? Thanks

[z-man02]

Suppose I choose "bow only" and shoot a doe.
I would earn 5 points for the deer, and 2 bonus points for limiting myself to "bow only" for a total of 7 points.
That is the way I read it.
Correct?

To me it appears that you only earn five points for the deer. The two points don't appear to be related to hunter success, your team gets them for everyone who limits themselves to bow or gun whether they shoot a deer or not.

[theredmission]

To me it appears that you only earn five points for the deer. The two points don't appear to be related to hunter success, your team gets them for everyone who limits themselves to bow or gun whether they shoot a deer or not.

That would be correct.

[theredmission]

If we choose to use a crossbow during firearms season would that count as a gun kill if we have gun as our primary weapon? or would it not be allowed to be added as a gun kill? Or can it be entered as a bow kill if we choose our primary as bow but still take the deer during firearm season? Thanks

Just read crossbow as regular bow, theres not really any other simple way we could handle it. Yes its a debatable topic, but thats the way it is for the contest. So if you shoot a deer w/ a crossbow it will count as a bow kill regardless of season.

[ant1901]

Cool thanks!

[spk131]

Does gun include muzzleloader season?

[ArcticcatMan]

Do you have to be wearing pants in your deer picture? I just don't want an all girls team earning extra points.

[RobFromFlint]

How are teams determined?

[theredmission]

How are teams determined?

Sorted by requested criteria then randomly chosen.

[Byron]

Just curious, and I know there are no prizes, just for fun, etc. - but with the current state of our deer herd and imbalanced harvest, why are we making buck harvests worth so much more than doe harvests? Along the same lines, why not allow a second doe to be entered in lieu of a buck?

Best Regards,
Byron :)

[theredmission]

Just curious, and I know there are no prizes, just for fun, etc. - but with the current state of our deer herd and imbalanced harvest, why are we making buck harvests worth so much more than doe harvests? Along the same lines, why not allow a second doe to be entered in lieu of a buck?

Best Regards,
Byron :)

Simplicity.

[Byron]

Simplicity.
I don't see how either of my questions has anything to do with simplicity. I'd appreciate it if you'd at least take the time to consider my reasonable questions and provide equally reasonable responses. Too much to ask?

Best Regards,
Byron :)

[Chocha]

I don't see how either of my questions has anything to do with simplicity. I'd appreciate it if you'd at least take the time to consider my reasonable questions and provide equally reasonable responses. Too much to ask?

Best Regards,
Byron :)


I think he responded fairly and it has alot to do with simplicity..

The guys that are setting all of this up for us are doing it all on their own free time so that all invloved can enjoy a friendly contest..They are not getting paid or any type of compensation...Just to help fellow sportsmen & women to have yet another good time while purseing white tail....

If a senario were set up as you asked, that would create alot of chaos and negative responses from those that only gun hunt and dont happen to draw a doe permit because then they have a smaller chance at being successful in regards to the contest. It places bow hunters at an unfair advantage in some respect... Setting the contest up as they have which also follows current hunting regulations makes it more manageable for them, and the most fair for all involved in the contest.

i dont think your request is a bad one and agree it would def. help promote some QDM, but I dont think its very feasible or fair for some of the contest participants..

[Byron]

I think he responded fairly and it has alot to do with simplicity..

The guys that are setting all of this up for us are doing it all on their own free time so that all invloved can enjoy a friendly contest..They are not getting paid or any type of compensation...Just to help fellow sportsmen & women to have yet another good time while purseing white tail....

If a senario were set up as you asked, that would create alot of chaos and negative responses from those that only gun hunt and dont happen to draw a doe permit because then they have a smaller chance at being successful in regards to the contest. It places bow hunters at an unfair advantage in some respect... Setting the contest up as they have which also follows current hunting regulations makes it more manageable for them, and the most fair for all involved in the contest.

i dont think your request is a bad one and agree it would def. help promote some QDM, but I dont think its very feasible or fair for some of the contest participants..
I appreciate your reasoned response. I would say, however, that the current points system is even more unfair to those who practice responsible resource management and pass up young bucks and eagerly harvest does, where needed. I would think responsible resource management ideals should trump complaints from a few who (for whatever reasons) gun hunt only or hunt only where antlerless permits have limited availability.

None of this addresses the first question - why is every single buck from (potentially) 6 months of age on up more valuable as a harvest than a doe, in a state where doe harvest is woefully inadequate overall?

Best Regards,
Byron :)

[ArcticcatMan]

I appreciate your reasoned response. I would say, however, that the current points system is even more unfair to those who practice responsible resource management and pass up young bucks and eagerly harvest does, where needed. I would think responsible resource management ideals should trump complaints from a few who (for whatever reasons) gun hunt only or hunt only where antlerless permits have limited availability.

None of this addresses the first question - why is every single buck from (potentially) 6 months of age on up more valuable as a harvest than a doe, in a state where doe harvest is woefully inadequate overall?

Best Regards,
Byron :)

That's what I wondered about too. I know this is meant to be fun and I am going to try to not let it effect my choices this fall. I'd hate to catch flack from my teammates if I were to pass up a doe, small 4 pointer ect.. and end up not taking a deer this year. How about a "catch and release" category where you can snap a pic of a deer you didn't shoot for management reasons? If I shoot a deer every other year, I'm happy but that kind of hunting won't take my team to the gold medal.

[Chasin]

I appreciate your reasoned response. I would say, however, that the current points system is even more unfair to those who practice responsible resource management and pass up young bucks and eagerly harvest does, where needed. I would think responsible resource management ideals should trump complaints from a few who (for whatever reasons) gun hunt only or hunt only where antlerless permits have limited availability.

None of this addresses the first question - why is every single buck from (potentially) 6 months of age on up more valuable as a harvest than a doe, in a state where doe harvest is woefully inadequate overall?

Best Regards,
Byron :)

No one is saying you cant shoot as many does as legaly possible. But for this contest it is only one doe and one buck for each in your team.
Its for fun and is not geard toward mangement. There is another one in the management thread for EAS. Join that one too.

Its the simplest way to put each team on an even playing field at the start.
this is not going to be about the size of the rack that is evident because its just adding points. a 1.5 yearold small basket 8 is going to score the same as a 150 class 8 point giant.

Its just for fun...

[HunterHawk]

i doubt any member of your team is going to get pissed if you dont shoot a deer... everyone hunts differently....

ill tell my team in advance.... I might not shoot a buck this year because i dont shoot small bucks......

i have different standards for different pieces of property that i hunt at... state land... yeah i might shoot a smaller buck than i would behind my property... will it be a 4 or a 6? oh heck no... it will still be a decent but just not a mounter.......

so no one is going to get ticked off.. thats why its for fun... its more about meeting people on here than winning the dang thing!!!.. i still keep in touch with the guys i hunted with the very first time...

everyone hunts differently and i think this thread needs to be closed because the way you guys are running it is good and its pretty much already underway.... right?

ok good stuff....

[Rustyaxecamp]

It's all for fun and BS'ing. If you don't like the rules / scoring don't sign up.

[theredmission]

Too much to ask?


At 1am yes it is. :lol:

[Byron]

At 1am yes it is. :lol:
I actually did consider that. Very true. :D

[theredmission]

I think he responded fairly and it has alot to do with simplicity..

The guys that are setting all of this up for us are doing it all on their own free time so that all invloved can enjoy a friendly contest..They are not getting paid or any type of compensation...Just to help fellow sportsmen & women to have yet another good time while purseing white tail....

If a senario were set up as you asked, that would create alot of chaos and negative responses from those that only gun hunt and dont happen to draw a doe permit because then they have a smaller chance at being successful in regards to the contest. It places bow hunters at an unfair advantage in some respect... Setting the contest up as they have which also follows current hunting regulations makes it more manageable for them, and the most fair for all involved in the contest.

i dont think your request is a bad one and agree it would def. help promote some QDM, but I dont think its very feasible or fair for some of the contest participants..

Thank you Chocha that answered it pretty well. It's not like we are against promoting better management, its just a stinking contest thats for fun thats all so keeping things simple and straight forward and as even as possible for both gun and bow hunters no matter where they are hunting public, private, up, lp, or whatever. So thats that. If you have that big of an issue w/ it please pm me and I will withdraw your name from the contest and find a replacement.


None of this addresses the first question - why is every single buck from (potentially) 6 months of age on up more valuable as a harvest than a doe, in a state where doe harvest is woefully inadequate overall?


Uh the same reason you are questioning why 2 does aren't accepted...the population difference between the two.

[Byron]

Thank you Chocha that answered it pretty well. It's not like we are against promoting better management, its just a stinking contest thats for fun thats all so keeping things simple and straight forward and as even as possible for both gun and bow hunters no matter where they are hunting public, private, up, lp, or whatever. So thats that. If you have that big of an issue w/ it please pm me and I will withdraw your name from the contest and find a replacement.



Uh the same reason you are questioning why 2 does aren't accepted...the population difference between the two.
Ok, thanks. No big deal, just a couple things that struck me as odd. Carry on and have a great season! :)

[hookedonhunting]

I think that the folks that are volunteering their time and energies with organizing this contest are doing a great job! Keep it as it is. . . you will NEVER make everyone happy!

Thanks for all you are doing!!!!:)