#1869604 - 04/03/10 10:32 AM
reduce/increase buck limits?
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44fanatic
12 Point
Registered: 01/01/08
Posts: 6055
Loc: Clarksville, Montgomery Cnty
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Simple logic states that by reducing buck limits, buck numbers would increase. Would this increase the competition and stress of mature bucks during the rut and thus creating unhealthy mature bucks during and following the rut?
On the vice of that, would reducing the number of bucks (increasing limits), cause bucks to range farther thus increasing the stress?
Thus, has the TN 3 buck limit been establish to keep hunters happy and the buck to doe ratio at the appropriate level?
I do believe that (excessive)stress can result in the premature death of bucks during and following the rut.
Not a biologist and very far from even being knowledgable
Edited by 44fanatic (04/03/10 10:58 AM)
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#1869626 - 04/03/10 11:04 AM
Re: reduce/increase buck limits?
[Re: 44fanatic]
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Beekeeper
Good ol' Boys "Team Buckcreek"
16 Point
Registered: 08/26/09
Posts: 10941
Loc: McMinn Co. Tennessee
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Depends on the phase of the moon in China during the rut of the Mule deer in Wyoming I think!!  Crazy post on my part?????
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#1869645 - 04/03/10 11:35 AM
Re: reduce/increase buck limits?
[Re: Beekeeper]
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Bertman
16 Point
Registered: 12/07/07
Posts: 18697
Loc: TREESTAND
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Depends on the phase of the moon in China during the rut of the Mule deer in Wyoming I think!! Crazy post on my part????? Yep. That horse has been beaten to death.
Yep
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#1869740 - 04/03/10 01:56 PM
Re: reduce/increase buck limits?
[Re: 44fanatic]
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BSK
Jerkasourous of the non-typical kind
Non-Typical
Registered: 03/11/99
Posts: 59548
Loc: Nashville, TN
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Simple logic states that by reducing buck limits, buck numbers would increase.
The problem with "simple logic" is that it is so often wrong.
Would a decreased buck limit decrease the buck harvest? That depends on how far you decrase it. A decrease from 3 to 2 would probably have minimal impact. Now a decrease from 3 to 1 would probably decrease buck kills to the point of making a population difference (produce a significant post-season population difference).
Unfortunately, to answer your other questions would take too much speculation. Not a enough good scientific data exists concerning most of your questions.
Would this increase the competition and stress of mature bucks during the rut and thus creating unhealthy mature bucks during and following the rut?
IF an increase in buck population caused an increased buck age structure AND a more balanced sex ratio (and I say "IF" because those results aren't guaranteed--no one knows how a decreased buck harvest would affect doe harvests; they might go up or down), detrimental stress levels would probably be reduced. More of the breeding stress would be focused on bucks closer to maturity--the very bucks that can withstand rut-stress with less detrimental affects (they have already completed their skelatal growth and have body mass to spare). In addition, breeding stress would be reduced for the youngest bucks, allowing them more time to grow larger instead of stressing themselves chasing does. In many instances it has been noted that one of the first and most obvious herd responses to an advancing buck age structure and more balanced sex ratio is much larger-bodied young bucks, which eventually leads to larger-bodied and antlered older bucks as those less-stressed young bucks advance in age.
On the vice of that, would reducing the number of bucks (increasing limits), cause bucks to range farther thus increasing the stress?
I've seen no research concerning the distance bucks range dependent on herd structure.
Thus, has the TN 3 buck limit been establish to keep hunters happy and the buck to doe ratio at the appropriate level?
Only the TWRA guys can answer that question, but in my opinion the 3 buck limit was enacted more as an experiment, and so far, it seems to have allowed more freedom of harvest without doing harm to the herd. The doe limits are always established on a county by county basis to control over-all population--very liberal in areas that can withstand or need reduction, and very limited in areas where herds can be allowed to grow. Now in the counties where doe limits are low--for herd growth purposes--maintaining balanced sex ratios is not as important. Those can be established fairly quickly once the herd reaches the desired density by maintaining fairly equal buck and doe harvests for just a couple of years.
I do believe that (excessive)stress can result in the premature death of bucks during and following the rut.
I wouldn't be worried about actual stress-related mortality. I would be concerned about stress-related reductions in individual animal performance (ultimate body weights and antler development).
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"There is no reasoning someone out of a position he has not reasoned himself into." --Clive James
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