#2470319 - 08/06/11 03:45 PM
Tennessee Age Data
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BigGameGuy
TWRA Biologist
12 Point
Registered: 05/14/04
Posts: 6354
Loc: Nashville
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Often times our agency is asked why we don't do something to restrict the harvest of bucks even more. The primary justifications for making changes to any hunting regulations are simple, 1.) they are needed to improve the overall health or condition of resource. 2.) the hunters prefer it and it will not negatively impact the resource.
One of the more common recommendations is to institute an antler restriction. Such restrictions are often used when there is an over-harvest of the yearling cohort (age class). If you look at Tennessee's age data (see graph below), we used to hammer the yearlings. In the early 90s, as much as 80% of our entire buck harvest was yearlings. This occured because there was tremendous pressure exerted on the herd, there were literally as many hunters as there were deer. Deer were still relatively scarce so hunters shot the first deer that crossed their path. All of that began to change in the mid 90s when the deer herd began to outgrow the pressure exerted on it. In other words, there were more deer than hunters so hunters had their "choice" of what to shoot. This just so happened to coincide with the growing popularity of QDM.
As you can see, there has been a steady decline in the percentage of yearlings that are getting harvested. In fact, we appear to be settling out at around 40%. Keep in mind, almost all of this has occured with a constant 3-buck limit (since 1998).
Some may argue that 40% yearling harvest is way too high, however, we beg to differ. If you look at some of the midwestern states, or as some would call them the "trophy" states, one would think that those states are killing a much higher percentage of older aged-class deer since their deer are growing such a larger set of head-gear than ours. In other words, they are allowing their deer to get some age on them. That fortunately, may not be the case. Here is the harvested age structure from midwestern states.
As you can see, Tennessee harvested age-structure compares favorably with the midwestern states. In other words, age is not he reason why Tennessee doesn't compete with some of the more well-known states. Therefore, we don't believe an antler restriction would have a significant effect on the harvest other than limiting the opportunity of a large portion of our hunters.
Here's another dicey aspect of antler restictions, where do you set them?
A common number thrown out is 8 points or better. As easy as that sounds, it would be extremely detrimental to the quality of the hunt for many folks across the state. Here's why...
Here is the biological data from the Central Basin of Tennessee. This is probably the best deer habitat we've got in the entire state.
An 8-point restriction would do an excellent job protecting the vast majority of the yearling deer as well as a fair number of 2-1/2 year-olds, albeit, the top-end 2-1/2's would probably be open for harvest. This is a huge problem in and of itself but we won't discuss that here.
Now here's the biological data from the Ridge and Valley region of Tennessee. This comprises the vast majority of East Tennessee.
As you can see an 8-point restriction here would protect pretty much all the yearlings, almost all the 2-1/2's and a fair portion of the 3-1/2's. We believe it's way too much to ask for our East Tennessee hunters to hold out for a 4-1/2 year old buck just to stay legal. (FYI - we are not about to consider different point restrictions for different regions. Not only would that be too complicated but, as stated initially, they are not needed.)
The other thing to note here is that in East Tennessee the average yearling is a 3-point and the average 2-1/2 is a 6-point. They don't start cracking the 8-point barrier until 3-1/2 or even 4-1/2. Just because you see a small buck in the back of a pick-up truck doesn't necessarily mean it's a young buck. I would not pass judgement on any deer until you look in its mouth first.
Anyhow, I hope this helps explain why we are holding fast with our buck limits. Besides truly believing in them, we have excellent data to justify them.
_________________________
If given the choice between education and regulation, I'll choose education every time.
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#2470332 - 08/06/11 04:04 PM
Re: Tennessee Age Data
[Re: BigGameGuy]
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cecil30-30
16 Point
Registered: 12/05/06
Posts: 13194
Loc: Morgan Co
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There you have it!! Straight from the horses mouth! Good read BGG!
_________________________
The beauty of the second amendment is that it will not be needed until they try to take it." -Thomas Jefferson
Ban Liberals!!! Save America!!!!
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#2470364 - 08/06/11 04:42 PM
Re: Tennessee Age Data
[Re: cecil30-30]
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jw0312
10 Point
Registered: 08/16/10
Posts: 2776
Loc: Memphis
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Good job, TWRA guys and gals!
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#2470437 - 08/06/11 05:48 PM
Re: Tennessee Age Data
[Re: Timber Ghost]
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hookem83
Spike
Registered: 12/26/09
Posts: 32
Loc: Franklin, TN
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BGG, now that is a great report on a subject from a qualified biologist. When I ask the question two days ago about antler restriction, this is what I was looking for...a great scientific response. Thank you for helping us all understand the science behind TWRA's decision on setting or not setting antler or buck limits.
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#2470812 - 08/07/11 07:04 AM
Re: Tennessee Age Data
[Re: hookem83]
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strutandrut
Non-Typical
Registered: 07/03/06
Posts: 28621
Loc: signal mountain
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Good info. Thanks.
This needs to be a permanent sticky in the serious forum IMO.
_________________________
Any day above ground is a good day.
Why do I carry a gun? Because cops weigh too much to carry and are difficult to conceal.
ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ
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#2470858 - 08/07/11 08:16 AM
Re: Tennessee Age Data
[Re: BigGameGuy]
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Beekeeper
Good ol' Boys "Team Buckcreek"
16 Point
Registered: 08/26/09
Posts: 10953
Loc: McMinn Co. Tennessee
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Good info.
_________________________
Democracy is two wolves and a lamb voting on what to have for lunch. Liberty is a well-armed lamb contesting the vote.
Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790)
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#2470919 - 08/07/11 09:26 AM
Re: Tennessee Age Data
[Re: Beekeeper]
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easy45
18 Point
Registered: 11/06/07
Posts: 23866
Loc: Medon
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good deal
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Work to live, Live to hunt
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#2470938 - 08/07/11 09:37 AM
Re: Tennessee Age Data
[Re: easy45]
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hookem83
Spike
Registered: 12/26/09
Posts: 32
Loc: Franklin, TN
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I can appreciate the statistics and yet feel sorry for the deer hunters in East Tennessee as your report provides a dismal view of those guys getting an opportunity at a trophy caliber buck (from an antler perspective). Is there anything that can be done to improve antler production in the East Tennessee herd? From your report, it seems like the current system will simply perpetuate small antler growth.
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#2470946 - 08/07/11 09:41 AM
Re: Tennessee Age Data
[Re: hookem83]
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tndrbstr
16 Point
Registered: 10/06/05
Posts: 12157
Loc: knox co tn
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I can appreciate the statistics and yet feel sorry for the deer hunters in East Tennessee as your report provides a dismal view of those guys getting an opportunity at a trophy caliber buck (from an antler perspective).
LOL...Its not as bad as all that...
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