#1714255 - 01/08/10 09:15 AM
Re: Statewide Kill Down.........
[Re: TX300mag]
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Winchester
Non-Typical
Registered: 12/05/03
Posts: 25247
Loc: TN
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Well, as much as I love seeing and killing deer when I hunt, I wouldn't be dissapointed IF decreased kill numbers translated in to decreased population for Unit L.
At or below carrying capacity is a good thing.
I agree and I think that is where we are heading. Luckily a lot of TN hunters have put self limits on their harvests, as each year the regulations are loosened to allow more hunting opportunities and larger bag limits, yet the kill still remains to decrease a little over the last few years. It would really be interesting to see what our numbers would have been without all the increases in bags and timing over the last few years. I guess only time will tell now, and we may never truly know with the changes in check in procedures as well.
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#1714285 - 01/08/10 09:27 AM
Re: Statewide Kill Down.........
[Re: tellico4x4]
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BSK
Jerkasourous of the non-typical kind
Non-Typical
Registered: 03/11/99
Posts: 59555
Loc: Nashville, TN
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We have a larger percentage of 2-1/2 yr. old bucks than ever before.
That's exactly what we're seeing. Amazingly, over 7 seasons, the percent of the buck population that is 3 1/2 and 4 1/2+ haven't changed a bit. The one big change is the percent of the buck population that is 2 1/2. The percent that are 2 1/2s has been climbing steadily over the 7 year period.
_________________________
"Know where you stand, and stand there" --Jesuit Father Daniel Berrigan
"There is no reasoning someone out of a position he has not reasoned himself into." --Clive James
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#1714289 - 01/08/10 09:29 AM
Re: Statewide Kill Down.........
[Re: BSK]
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Setterman
8 Point
Registered: 12/31/09
Posts: 1783
Loc: Knoxville, TN
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We have a larger percentage of 2-1/2 yr. old bucks than ever before.
That's exactly what we're seeing. Amazingly, over 7 seasons, the percent of the buck population that is 3 1/2 and 4 1/2+ haven't changed a bit. The one big change is the percent of the buck population that is 2 1/2. The percent that are 2 1/2s has been climbing steadily over the 7 year period.
That is a really really good thing for the future of our deer hunting.
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#1714300 - 01/08/10 09:33 AM
Re: Statewide Kill Down.........
[Re: Setterman]
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BSK
Jerkasourous of the non-typical kind
Non-Typical
Registered: 03/11/99
Posts: 59555
Loc: Nashville, TN
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We have a larger percentage of 2-1/2 yr. old bucks than ever before.
That's exactly what we're seeing. Amazingly, over 7 seasons, the percent of the buck population that is 3 1/2 and 4 1/2+ haven't changed a bit. The one big change is the percent of the buck population that is 2 1/2. The percent that are 2 1/2s has been climbing steadily over the 7 year period. That is a really really good thing for the future of our deer hunting.
Yes it is. It shows more and more yearling bucks are surviving hunting season.
A big part of that is hunter choice. But I'm also being helped by the growing deer population in East TN. Not anywhere near as many East TN hunters are traveling to my area to hunt anymore. Hunter density is way down in my area. We now hear few gunshots opening weekend of MZ and gun season when it used to sound like a war breaking out.
_________________________
"Know where you stand, and stand there" --Jesuit Father Daniel Berrigan
"There is no reasoning someone out of a position he has not reasoned himself into." --Clive James
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#1714305 - 01/08/10 09:36 AM
Re: Statewide Kill Down.........
[Re: Setterman]
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tndrbstr
16 Point
Registered: 10/06/05
Posts: 12157
Loc: knox co tn
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We have a larger percentage of 2-1/2 yr. old bucks than ever before.
That's exactly what we're seeing. Amazingly, over 7 seasons, the percent of the buck population that is 3 1/2 and 4 1/2+ haven't changed a bit. The one big change is the percent of the buck population that is 2 1/2. The percent that are 2 1/2s has been climbing steadily over the 7 year period. That is a really really good thing for the future of our deer hunting.
Its good to see that your somewhat at peace with where the managment program is at in TN at the present time cptn.....Welcome back.... 
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#1714314 - 01/08/10 09:40 AM
Re: Statewide Kill Down.........
[Re: BSK]
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Winchester
Non-Typical
Registered: 12/05/03
Posts: 25247
Loc: TN
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A big part of that is hunter choice. But I'm also being helped by the growing deer population in East TN. Not anywhere near as many East TN hunters are traveling to my area to hunt anymore. Hunter density is way down in my area. We now hear few gunshots opening weekend of MZ and gun season when it used to sound like a war breaking out.
BSK, you hit the nail on the head, and where it is helping you guys out to the West, it has increased our competition. Where I used to have many areas basically to myself here, people have now figured out we have a good healthy herd here and are staying home!! I even rarely travel West anymore myself, when I used to make the trip many times a season. Things are definitely changing for the deer hunters of TN! I just hope that East TN can stand the hunting pressure that is beginning to be put on it?
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#1714442 - 01/08/10 10:32 AM
Re: Statewide Kill Down.........
[Re: Wes Parrish]
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Yodel Dog
8 Point
Registered: 10/14/08
Posts: 1087
Loc: Mid Tn
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Exactly. But not seeing them, and the deer not being there, are two different issues.
I have a lot of confidence in my ability to photograph deer with trail cams. I run enough cameras I generally have a good idea of what's on my property. I don't think the reason just not seeing them holds water. They're smart animals, but they're not avoiding cameras 24 hours a day. If a deer is there, I'll get his picture at least once. This is why I think deer numbers are down where I hunt in Unit L.
_________________________
"...Shooting a deer is like shooting a cow..." Phil Robertson
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#1714449 - 01/08/10 10:37 AM
Re: Statewide Kill Down.........
[Re: BSK]
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Football Hunter
18 Point
Registered: 10/22/07
Posts: 24568
Loc: Wilson Co/Perry Co
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We have a larger percentage of 2-1/2 yr. old bucks than ever before.
That's exactly what we're seeing. Amazingly, over 7 seasons, the percent of the buck population that is 3 1/2 and 4 1/2+ haven't changed a bit. The one big change is the percent of the buck population that is 2 1/2. The percent that are 2 1/2s has been climbing steadily over the 7 year period. That is a really really good thing for the future of our deer hunting. Yes it is. It shows more and more yearling bucks are surviving hunting season. A big part of that is hunter choice. But I'm also being helped by the growing deer population in East TN. Not anywhere near as many East TN hunters are traveling to my area to hunt anymore. Hunter density is way down in my area. We now hear few gunshots opening weekend of MZ and gun season when it used to sound like a war breaking out.
_________________________
The best day to plant a tree,IS TODAY!
You wont know,if you dont go!
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#1714462 - 01/08/10 10:45 AM
Re: Statewide Kill Down.........
[Re: Football Hunter]
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BSK
Jerkasourous of the non-typical kind
Non-Typical
Registered: 03/11/99
Posts: 59555
Loc: Nashville, TN
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We have a larger percentage of 2-1/2 yr. old bucks than ever before.
That's exactly what we're seeing. Amazingly, over 7 seasons, the percent of the buck population that is 3 1/2 and 4 1/2+ haven't changed a bit. The one big change is the percent of the buck population that is 2 1/2. The percent that are 2 1/2s has been climbing steadily over the 7 year period. That is a really really good thing for the future of our deer hunting. Yes it is. It shows more and more yearling bucks are surviving hunting season. A big part of that is hunter choice. But I'm also being helped by the growing deer population in East TN. Not anywhere near as many East TN hunters are traveling to my area to hunt anymore. Hunter density is way down in my area. We now hear few gunshots opening weekend of MZ and gun season when it used to sound like a war breaking out. I remember when EVERY room at the Hurricane Mills exit was full
Yup. Now you only see a couple of trucks in the hotel parking lots with treestands in the bed, even during opening week of gun season.
_________________________
"Know where you stand, and stand there" --Jesuit Father Daniel Berrigan
"There is no reasoning someone out of a position he has not reasoned himself into." --Clive James
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#1714472 - 01/08/10 10:52 AM
Re: Statewide Kill Down.........
[Re: BSK]
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Winchester
Non-Typical
Registered: 12/05/03
Posts: 25247
Loc: TN
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It used to be if you didnt reserve a room in advance you were out of luck. I remember the parking lots at both the Bucksnort BP and at 'the store' on the Waverly exit being absolutely overrunning with hunters and people in line to check in their deer. Every truck had orange in it and you could literally count hundreds of shots on opening weekends of Rifle and MZ. I had some of my most memorable hunts back in those days however. I was just young and it was an adventure every time we made the trip to Middle TN. And good Lord at the deer we killed! I remember on weekend a group of us brought back 24 deer on Thanksgiving weekend, we had 9 on a hitch hauler and 15 in another truck. I have some pics somewhere, we got some looks going home for sure!! Those were definitely some fun hunts!
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