Managed Hunts, why do you apply?

It's a bonus hunt for me, I don't see a reason not to apply. There are a few options for me that are close to home. I don't whine if I don't get drawn, and don't understand all the whiny tits that cry over it. If I get drawn, it's a couple of does for the freezer that don't get shot off my places and a bonus buck tag. Also, we've had some of our biggest buck encounters on a couple of managed hunts. Some of these hunts are truly for population control and are on ground that's not always open to public hunting and are loaded up with deer.
Success rates vary as you're getting a cross section of the hunting population. For example one year our group of three killed 8 deer out of 30 something total for 35 hunters on ground where Stevie Wonder should have been able to get on deer pretty easily, even before crossbow inclusion.

I used to apply each year, cause Busch CA in Weldon Springs was so close to my house and I love to hunt there. I know spots I could walk out and hang a stand and feel good about my chances without much scouting.

Back then I was H.S. basketball coach and that really make it hard to get away and hunt, managed hunts helped with that. These days I have my own place and I do not coach basketball any more.

I used to really get excited about getting drawn.

To kill ****monsters

I applied for years for swan lake . I did it to get a bonus buck tag in a location known for big bucks.

I finally drew and was actually disappointed in the experience . I have only applied for one managed hunt since and that was for the same reasons. It was a squaw creek hunt that allowed a buck to be taken . That used to only happen every 5 or ,6 years. Since the 2012 ehd outbreak it will probably be a long time before it happens again. I don't know because I don't apply or even look anymore.

I instead don't apply to give others a better chance of drawing hoping they will buy me a 12pk of Blu.

I usually apply for what is perceived as a great hunt or low percentage draw, it would just be a bonus couple hunts and hope to drill a good one.

I'll add, UI still think no NR should ever get drawn for any of these hunts IFthere are residents being denied, if all residents are drawn and hunter numbers are not filled, then NR can be considered.

20' said:

I usually apply for what is perceived as a great hunt or low percentage draw, it would just be a bonus couple hunts and hope to drill a good one.

I'll add, UI still think no NR should ever get drawn for any of these hunts IFthere are residents being denied, if all residents are drawn and hunter numbers are not filled, then NR can be considered.

Click to expand...

What a coinckydink. Wingsy was just talking about you. :scared:

I like to gamble...

I use to apply but don’t anymore. Like others it was a bonus and I hunted a lot so it took pressure off my farms. I don’t apply anymore since I don’t have much time to hunt and I’m getting lazy. I don’t want to drag a deer a mile when I can ride my sxs or take my tractor strait to a deer and load it up on my own ground. I worked really hard to buy my own property and it is much more satisfying harvesting or even just seeing deer on my property where I have put in a lot of hard work.

henry said:

What a coinckydink. Wingsy was just talking about you. :scared:

Click to expand...

heck, most years I don't even apply, if whining is sticking up for residents being overlooked for NR then I'm guilty!

I would usually apply at Columbia Bottom, but with the recent flooding, I can't see it being very good there this year.

I like variety. I enjoy something different. It’s a different challenge. And my perception that this area has potential for more and bigger deer than what I would normally see during the course of my season.

Access to hunting ground that you otherwise would never be allowed to legally hunt. In STL county there are several CA's that offer the potential of encountering world class deer. Without the managed hunts you'd otherwise never have access to hunt these areas.

Bonus tags and a bonus hunt for me. Get a chance at some does for the freezer and maybe can concentrate my hunting land for bucks.

Like hunting new and different places, also like others have said, it's a bonus hunt.

It’s great opportunity to stretch out my crossbow shots to over 70 yards and not wound one of my own deer at home

We have our own property to hunt so for me its the challenge of something new and seeing something different. I always apply for the late season hunt and with the holidays its easier for me to hunt close to home.

I hunt on my land and my sister’s land a half mile up the road . Managed hunts are a great way for me to experience deer camp and it’s fun and challenging to hunt land that’s strange to me .

Refuze2falo said:

It's great opportunity to stretch out my crossbow shots to over 70 yards and not wound one of my own deer at home

Click to expand...

That, and I dont want anyone to see me hunting my own property with a crossbow. Everyone expects to see slobs on these managed hunts