Tennessee Deer Talk: Tennessee Age Data

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#2705999 - 01/03/12 06:26 PM

Re: Tennessee Age Data [Re: BigGameGuy]

backstraps
12 Point

Registered: 09/19/03
Posts: 6349
Loc: NE Tennessee

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Originally Posted By: BigGameGuy

backstraps,

It is based on data collected by our biologists at our check stations. Most of the data comes from the opening weekend of muzzleloader season and the opening weekend of gun season. Before the year is out, we usually collect data on anywhere from 3,000-5,000 deer. The randomness of the sampling is what makes the smaller sample size reflective of the true age distribution.

Thanks BGG

I understand the randomness of the sampling, but when total data collected is only 3-5K, from a state having a harvest of in 2010 in excess of 162,000 deer...still hard to see the data being hard stats for a true age distribution.

I know you guys are on top of states stats, and im not trying to be arguementative, but are the majority of bucks taken on these two opening weekends of GUN&ML?
I can see naturally a lot of bucks falling when firearm seasons roll around... but those two weekends would be hard to reflect the entire seasons age structure, especially giving the odd weather we are having lately.

One more question... do you have any stats showing the harvested age struction for each season individually? Archery, ML, and Gun?

Edited by backstraps (01/03/12 06:27 PM)

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#2719723 - 01/13/12 07:56 AM

Re: Tennessee Age Data [Re: tndrbstr]

Matador
10 Point

Registered: 02/04/06
Posts: 3423
Loc: Rockwood,Tn.

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Thanks BGG Good info and I think TWRA is doing a great job.

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#2731121 - 01/22/12 01:06 PM

Re: Tennessee Age Data [Re: Matador]

Mike Belt
TnDeer Old Timer
16 Point

Registered: 03/26/99
Posts: 16929
Loc: Lakeland, Tn.

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Over the years I've seen the "concept" of a 2 buck limit and a doe included on the regular hunting license tossed around. I've been in favor of a 2 buck limit for awhile now. I've read where TWRA feels that the restriction to a 2 buck limit is not necessary but at the same time admits that it would probably by default, be a move towards advancing buck age structure somewhat and at the same time giving hunters that may not be successful now a better opportunity at taking any buck. I guess my questions are:

1) Why no does allowed on the regular license? Is this because there are areas that couldn't withstand the deer removed or possibly because of the potential in lost revenue? Is it because of simplicity in statewide regulations? All of the above? None of the above?

2) Why not drop the buck limit from 3 to 2? Is it because of hunter dissatisfaction with that idea although a very small percentage kills 3 bucks in a season? Is it because TWRA is satisfied with the harvest stats as they stand?

It seems to me that both of those changes simultaneously would compliment each other and benefit hunters. The "free" doe tag would serve to better balance sex ratio kill stats. It may also allow for more young bucks survival. The drop from 3 bucks to 2 bucks would do the same not only because of the reduction of 1 buck but also in the perception that the hunter can't take but 2 bucks so selectivity would come into play (and this has nothing to do with tropyism). I also realize that the resource has to benefit before the hunters can. Is TWRA happy enough with regs as they stand or do they not want any changes for the sake of simplicity?

Personally, I'm happy enough with things as they stand now and I could hunt out my days with our current regs. I believe TWRA overall has done an excellent job. That being said, I do believe that a couple of tweaks here or there might make it even better.

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#2799432 - 04/02/12 03:31 PM

Re: Tennessee Age Data [Re: backstraps]

BigAl
16 Point

Registered: 07/31/01
Posts: 18813
Loc: Fayette County, TN US

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Originally Posted By: backstraps

Originally Posted By: BigGameGuy

I'm not a statistics guy by any means. But I do remember a little from my schooling, and I can tell you that is plenty of sample (as long as its random) to get an accurate depiction of the stats. Just as in voting, you'd be surprised at how small a sample is used on exit polling during an election and how accurate the results come out. There's a margin of error, of course, but its small.

I hear the argument every year from people "they didn't get any date from the deer I killed" or "I never saw them at my checkin station". It doesn't matter. The sample size the TWRA uses is large enough to get accurate results.

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