Interesting that the overall kill total looks like it may end up being down. But if you filter it by antlered bucks only, we're heading to one of the highest totals in the past several years.

https://www.in.gov/dnr/fish-and-wil...als/white-tailed-deer/deer-harvest-data/

I wonder how may of those bucks were 1.5 yr old or spikes ?? ........ one thing I have heard from several is "Where are the Does?" ... Ive seen only 4 'does' this season on the F&W area I concentrate on (J/P).. 4 !! .... I did however see 13 bucks, two were true shooters and I had one at 17 yds and watched him walk off, a nice 10/140-150" ... but the shortage of Does has me worried .. seems like there was something a while back about low 'recruitment' into the herd .. I did end up with a 152lb 2.5 yr old buck this year(bow), last season I went deerless, first time ever since I started in 1987 bow hunting, and I saw a low number of Does then also .. talked to a guy who has put in more time there(J/P) than me this season, and he echoed my lack of doe sightings .. ...

The only logic to more bucks getting killed, is either more sheer numbers of hunters, or more effort per hunter. There's also less antlerless opportunity. If people know there's no late season they might be more willing to fill their license with any buck? Hard to say.

meant to say, I saw a low number of does last season (cant remember '87 ..lol) .. I am glad there wasnt a late dec. kill all the does gun season, I wish they would just stop with it, you can control does with bonus permits if needed ...