I would also like to clarify some misinformation that is going around. You all know our mission statement:

IWDHM is committed to advocating for the health of our deer herd and the preservation of our hunting heritage for future generations.

With that said: it really is that simple.
1. We believe in many areas the herd is being overharvested and simply bag limits need to be adjusted accordingly.

2. We believe the practice of using depredation permits in the summer is unethical and inhumane. We believe this puts hunting in a terrible perspective, and is truly not hunting. We also believe this shuts off many thousands of acres to hunters, that would otherwise need to be opened up to control populations using the management tool of hunting within the seasons. The only tool that has proven effective for decades now, despite new advances in technology.

3. We believe in starting a county deer advisory council similar to Wisconsin's whereas: local stakeholders have a say in the management of the local herds. People that will have a more accurate grasp as to what is going on in their area's with their herds. Then moderation can be attained from both sides of the fence when setting annual bag limits, and these recommendations can be given first hand to the BI
OLOGISTS setting the final bag limits.

4. We believe in working with other groups, where our goals and missions intersect, such as hunter access, habitat issues, clean air and water, etc.

4. Educating hunters to take more ownership in their local deer herds and exercise restraint in harvest when needed d/t overharvest, EHD, fawn recruitment. Also, when needed as management tools to do their part in harvesting those excess deer. However, in most areas that is done, now, we need to just back off for awhile.

What we do not promote.

1. Getting involved in divisive issues that have historically hamstringed the hunting community and groups from being properly recognized and heard due to in-fighting.

2. We do not promote drastic changes to the tradition of season structures, weapons, or other divisive issues that will remain divisive, and basically have already been settled through the processes of the past.

3. We do not promote the total discontinuation of bonus county permits. We believe this is a scientific management tool. We believe; however that the numbers should be more reflective of the area's deer herd population. If nothing more than to promote a sense of the state of the herd in the area. Currently a person could look at the bonus county map from out of state, and look at say Parke County and assume with an educated guess there is a deer behind every tree, come to the state and lease ground and kill 8 does thinking they are doing us a favor. This perception of overpopulation is just not the case any longer in most areas and it is up to us and other groups to change that perception.

I would pray, this would clarify our stances. I also would apologize if there has ever been any fault on our part to make this perfectly clear. We have always attempted to keep this as clear and simple as possible. Of course we are all human, therefore; not perfect. Doing our best to make a difference in legitimate problems we recognize facing the herd. We also suggest if this is either to simple, or complex; please, start a group, focus on the herd, and make the hunter's voice respected once again.