So, I have posted a couple pictures of the deer we have on our property in the cam section. My buddy and I are lucky enough to have a 50 acre farm. Mostly hay, two good ponds, and some good tree lines. We are wanting to start the QDM process and start grwoin swome good healthy deer. As you can see in the other section, we have some good bucks already runnin around out there. As far as which ones to let walk, and which ones to kill this year were are lost. To provide the best first year scenario, what do we do?
First year?
- Thread starter thejetman
- Start date
Heres what i do and it works 99 per cent of the time. In the first instant you see a buck you will know if hes a shooter or not. If there is any doubt or you have to think about it he is not. When a mature buck walks through an area there is nothing like the sight of the big barrel chested thing coming through.
Your only hope is that your neighbors are willing to work with you.Which it sounds like they are if you already have a few good ones running around.A deer can walk across your 50 acres in 2 or 3 minutes and be gone.
Football Hunter
Well-Known Member
Keep in mind that 50 acres does not even come close to covering a deers home range.Pick something that satisfies you as a buck minimum,and go with that.
8 POINTS OR BETTER
Well-Known Member
I would try to start learning to age deer on the hoof, and try not to take any bucks under 3.5 years old. TNdeer is a great place to learn to age deer. Just start looking for post that want people to age a deer, most on here are pretty good at it.
I would follow the general guideline of the QDMA of not harvesting any 1.5 year old bucks. After that, if your happy with it, go for it. Realistic expectations are one of the biggest hurdles for small properties, but really it all depends on what goes on around you.
TNGunsmoke
Well-Known Member
On such a small piece of property, you also have to accept that what you pass on, your neighbors may not. Hard to do QDM on a piece that is no where near as large as the territory a deer roams.
we understand this. We just want to do our part in creating good deer from this point forward. Every little bit helps. And by leading a good example, hopefully the neighbors se
e what kind of results they produce they might be more inclined to jump on board.
e what kind of results they produce they might be more inclined to jump on board.
Bayou Buck
Well-Known Member
Do you own the land? If you can provide some food and cover you may be able to keep more deer on your property during legal hunting hours.
I second what Steven said about starting out with basic QDM principals. Its very important to set realistic expectations.
I second what Steven said about starting out with basic QDM principals. Its very important to set realistic expectations.
