Button buck question?

[double browtine]

Late season, when the bucks group back up, and doe groups hang together, button bucks will usually hang together too. Button buck groups usually 2 or to 3 together, will usually be the first ones to hit the food plot. Late season, I always try to shoot big does or yearling that are following a doe. Most likely the yearlings following closely behind a mature doe are doe offspring. We have always shot at least 2 does for every buck harvested during the season in unit L. Seems to keep the heard looking healthy.

 

[DoubleRidge]

Very true either way makes very little overall difference. The original post wasn't meant to get so complicated as there were only 2 options asked shoot button or not, but I will have to say I have thoroughly enjoyed every ones post and opinions. I thank everyone for spending time to read and offer there opinions. Overthinking things pertaining to a passion for land and management is definitely a problem I have but often pays off in the long run. I will take your advise and let him make his own decision. Thanks and sorry for the complicated question but I have enjoyed it.

No appology needed...great conversation....I think studying on land and herd management is a good thing.

 

['borohunter]

I agree - the idea is to enjoy the outdoors and connection with the animal/land/family. Let him shoot whatever and adjust as you go. I know most people "evolve" their hunting style... Just my 2 cents...

 

[redblood]

I dont believe in giving kids a free pass to shoot anything they wont. Our farm lies in marshall county and we see lots deer every day. My son will see deer and ask if he can shoot it and explain to him the concepts if managing a deer herd. Does are fine of they are mature as long as we have a need. We dont shoot deer for the sake of just shooting. Its a serious decision to end a life. He understands they young bucks need time to grow. I feel the sooner these lessons are taught, the better.

 

[Andy S.]

I dont believe in giving kids a free pass to shoot anything they wont. Our farm lies in marshall county and we see lots deer every day.

Your second sentence is likely the single most factor that drives your viewpoint in the first sentence. In other words, I think your viewpoint is heavily influenced by all of the deer you have around you and see continuously with little effort. Many of us have picked up on that fact with the good "named" bucks bedding in your yard/fields that you photograph. For that, you are very fortunate. Very very fortunate. Hunt in an area with far less deer density, and I think you would reconsider letting kids shoot any deer they see with the limited amount of time most have to hunt these days. I have strict rules for myself, almost to the point that it can take the fun out of it at times, but I will gladly let a young kid (5-12) shoot any deer they want, as long as it is legal. I want to see their smile and make that memory while they have the opportunity. Food for thought.

 

[redblood]

Your second sentence is likely the single most factor that drives your viewpoint in the first sentence. In other words, I think your viewpoint is heavily influenced by all of the deer you have around you and see continuously with little effort. Many of us have picked up on that fact with the good "named" bucks bedding in your yard/fields that you photograph. For that, you are very fortunate. Very very fortunate. Hunt in an area with far less deer density, and I think you would reconsider letting kids shoot any deer they see with the limited amount of time most have to hunt these days. I have strict rules for myself, almost to the point that it can take the fun out of it at times, but I will gladly let a young kid (5-12) shoot any deer they want, as long as it is legal. I want to see their smile and make that memory while they have the opportunity. Food for thought.

I totally understand what you are saying, but isnt that compounding the problem. I always look at where a person is from when they post deer pics, mainly to get a picture of the deer being killed in their area. One thing i notice is it seems people who are in the lower deer density areas kill larger number of deer, especially their children. No doubt i am in rare place. Having said that i have killed one does the entire year, a mid october deer with a bow.i guess what i am saying that teaching deer management, sustainability, patience and restraint are parts of the mentoring process

 

[redblood]

And for the record i am not talking about the kids very 1st deer. But i dont believe extending a shoot whatever policy 5 or 6 deer in is a good idea if it goods against sound management strategies for the particular tract of land.

 

[Boone25/06]

Like redblood I'm blessed to have farms in Marshall and have plenty of opportunities. My son isn't a normal 7 year old, who hunts a couple times a year. He lives the outdoors hunts every time I go. He has shot more than most any at his age with some being nice mature bucks. He rides tractor planting corn and beans, digs holes for trees, and has his own set of trail cams he places where he wants. He's hooked along time ago and already grow so much. I gave him the choice to shoot another and he decided he would rather run beagles and kick brush for rabbits. I know it takes a lot to get kids involved in outdoors now but that's not a problem here. He doesn't have to shoot everytime he goes to keep him going. He took his friend right before Xmas and let her shoot her second deer ever that just happened to be bigger than his this year and he was just as excited as she was. I have been blessed with a son who loves it as much as I do. Thank everyone for reading topic and posting I have enjoyed everyone's views.

 

[BSK]

If most does have twin fawns, that a massive number of young deer to be recruited into the adult population this summer. In that situation, I wouldn't feel bad about killing a few extra adult deer.

 

[Andy S.]

And for the record i am not talking about the kids very 1st deer. But i dont believe extending a shoot whatever policy 5 or 6 deer in is a good idea if it goods against sound management strategies for the particular tract of land.

Agree 100%. But for most 5-12 year old kids who do not take much resource from the wild, I will let them shoot the first legal deer/turkey/etc they see each season. If they start getting good at the game and mowing them down, and the immediate area cannot sustain that, for sure, start introducing deer management, sustainability, patience and restraint as you mentioned.

 

[Joe2Kool]

Like redblood I'm blessed to have farms in Marshall and have plenty of opportunities. My son isn't a normal 7 year old, who hunts a couple times a year. He lives the outdoors hunts every time I go. He has shot more than most any at his age with some being nice mature bucks. He rides tractor planting corn and beans, digs holes for trees, and has his own set of trail cams he places where he wants. He's hooked along time ago and already grow so much. I gave him the choice to shoot another and he decided he would rather run beagles and kick brush for rabbits. I know it takes a lot to get kids involved in outdoors now but that's not a problem here. He doesn't have to shoot everytime he goes to keep him going. He took his friend right before Xmas and let her shoot her second deer ever that just happened to be bigger than his this year and he was just as excited as she was. I have been blessed with a son who loves it as much as I do. Thank everyone for reading topic and posting I have enjoyed everyone's views.

Sounds like your sons are well on their way to being good stewards of the resource. Congrats!