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Catoosa anyone heard
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<blockquote data-quote="TheLBLman" data-source="post: 5369450" data-attributes="member: 1409"><p>Correct, the kill rate per hunt is very low.</p><p>This is also the case on most WMAs in TN, even the ones without any antler restrictions which mainly protect the yearling bucks and some 2 1/2's.</p><p></p><p>Yes, most yearling bucks get a pass, while most above average 2 1/2's are the ones getting killed.</p><p>The result is there are still not many 3 1/2 or older, or at least not many with "good" racks, since those with the better antler genetics have been getting killed at 2 1/2.</p><p></p><p>This habitat simply cannot <u>healthily</u> support as many deer as most private property habitats. TWRA is working diligently in improving & diversifying Catoosa's habitat, but it many never compare to areas with more agriculture. The deer population is lower at Catoosa than many other WMAs in both Middle & East TN. It's is not for everybody, but is one of the few WMA's large enough that more intensive buck management might work well. That is going to require a majority of the above averaged antlered 2 1/2's to survive.</p><p></p><p>Catoosa's antler restrictions have saved a majority of 1 1/2-yr-old "yearling" bucks, but they appear to have contributed to a higher hunter kill of the very best antlered 2 1/2's than would have been the case with no antler restrictions at all.</p><p></p><p>Fewer hunters per quota, and the bucks no longer being "bonus" will likely make a significant difference in top-end 2 1/2-yr-old buck survival this year. The goal is to make good steps towards trending better, not to take away the hunting in the process. Many Catoosa hunters have limited to no private land to hunt, so totally closing the WMA would not be fair to these hunters.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="TheLBLman, post: 5369450, member: 1409"] Correct, the kill rate per hunt is very low. This is also the case on most WMAs in TN, even the ones without any antler restrictions which mainly protect the yearling bucks and some 2 1/2's. Yes, most yearling bucks get a pass, while most above average 2 1/2's are the ones getting killed. The result is there are still not many 3 1/2 or older, or at least not many with "good" racks, since those with the better antler genetics have been getting killed at 2 1/2. This habitat simply cannot [U]healthily[/U] support as many deer as most private property habitats. TWRA is working diligently in improving & diversifying Catoosa's habitat, but it many never compare to areas with more agriculture. The deer population is lower at Catoosa than many other WMAs in both Middle & East TN. It's is not for everybody, but is one of the few WMA's large enough that more intensive buck management might work well. That is going to require a majority of the above averaged antlered 2 1/2's to survive. Catoosa's antler restrictions have saved a majority of 1 1/2-yr-old "yearling" bucks, but they appear to have contributed to a higher hunter kill of the very best antlered 2 1/2's than would have been the case with no antler restrictions at all. Fewer hunters per quota, and the bucks no longer being "bonus" will likely make a significant difference in top-end 2 1/2-yr-old buck survival this year. The goal is to make good steps towards trending better, not to take away the hunting in the process. Many Catoosa hunters have limited to no private land to hunt, so totally closing the WMA would not be fair to these hunters. [/QUOTE]
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