What is MS harvest rate comparied to what I listed above?

I can almost gaurantee one thing (science anad studies aside).
If a "monster racked buck" comes by, 98% of ALL hunters are
going to try and take that buck. I am talking about an absolutely
huge racked buck. When that's the case......AGE OF THE BUCK WILL
GO "OUT THE WINDOW"! When a very special buck shows, that has a
huge rack, you had better take him when you can. Nothing against
aging deer, but you had better be focused on a shot if you want
a chance to take that deer.

The only exception would be an undisturbed, food plot, shooting
house, and TV hunt type situation.

I don't know, you tell me.

I'm assuming it's pretty close.

Your right about that. If I see any thing over 120" where I hunt age want matter.

The only way to greatly reduce high-grading is to simply not kill any deer younger than a certain age (whereby the antlers are not part of the harvest criteria). IF no bucks were killed before they were 4 1/2 years old, there would be little high-grading. But when most bucks are killed before they're 3 1/2, there is substantial high-grading, with or without any antler restrictions.

That's not true at all. You can kill as many young bucks as you want and not come anywhere close to high-grading the buck population. As long as "size of the antlers" doesn't enter into the equation for pulling the trigger, then there will be no selection either way. For decades this was the case since anything that had "horns" was targeted. No offense but the problem of high-grading arose with the onset of QDM and the fact that hunters began passing up bucks based on antler characteristics. (FYI - This isn't a slam on QDM, it's a slam on "bastardized QDM" which elevates antlers to the forefront of management goals.)

First off, I have been an avid reader for the last several years and rarely post. I love this site as for the most part my life is consumed with deer hunting. If its not season, I'm usually looking at aerial photos and topo maps and planning strategy, etc...This is a great post so I thought I would chime in and get some opinions. I am all for strict management and chasing after mature deer. But I will also say that if a 130" 2 1/2- 3 1/2 walks by me, I will be giving it my best shot.

To all and especially BSK what are your thoughts on Ames Plantation and the management program they have going? (Aside from personal opinions of price, # of hunters, trespassers, etc) but of the management they use. Taking into consieration that with that amount of land and 115 members, it is far easier to use rack scoring as a field guide rather than other age determinants for the average hunter. The scoring system they use based on data from Ames is aiming towards protecting 2 1/2 yr olds and allowing them to reach 3 1/2. Last yr the first 5 1/2 yr old bucks (2) were taken with neither scoring over 130" gross. Yet every yr numerous 3 1/2 - 4 1/2 yr olds are taken that have reached well into 135-150 range with one being 165". Do you feel that this is "high grading"? Is there a way to steer away from this? (again considering that the average hunter may not be great at aging deer on the hoof without using antlers as a judge.

Ames should be a great research area and management opportunity with that amount of land, a variety of terrains, and sound management ( Dr. Craig Harper among others ) plenty of nutrition, and a good area of the state as far as deer numbers are concerned. Thoughts on the management?