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Quality Deer Management
Growing Mature Bucks
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<blockquote data-quote="TheLBLman" data-source="post: 5498941" data-attributes="member: 1409"><p>That percentage is relatively low even in herds where the deer go totally unhunted by human hunters.</p><p></p><p>Natural mortality on 4 1/2-yr-old bucks in Cades Cove is in the ballpark of 50%, i.e. 50% of those un-hunted 4 1/2's do not live to 5 1/2.</p><p></p><p></p><p>That was once me.</p><p>But as you hunt more years, you may experience a paradigm shift in your thoughts.</p><p>I simply enjoy hunting, and have found an old doe can be a bigger hunting challenge than any buck. In other words, I'm very satisfied just with opportunities, just to be hunting, and a doe, or a buck, has replaced my "need" for "it must be a buck" to be satisfying.</p><p></p><p></p><p>At some point, you may more value quality over quantity.</p><p>Harvest pictures of old does have replaced many my antler mounts.</p><p></p><p></p><p>Your paradigm shift is already in progress <img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" class="smilie smilie--sprite smilie--sprite1" alt=":)" title="Smile :)" loading="lazy" data-shortname=":)" /> </p><p>Notice you said older "deer" instead of older "buck".</p><p></p><p>But as to an older buck, particularly a mature one with above average antlers, that is the best icing, but you sabotage your own opportunities to get that best icing when you not only settle for less, but actually kill the very bucks that would become the best icing on your hunting cakes.</p><p></p><p>Just saying, it become somewhat hypocritical for any hunter who routinely kills off the best stock in his area, yet complains there aren't many mature bucks where he hunts. And as long as you do this, how can you expect anyone else to give a pass to what you're routinely shooting?</p><p></p><p>This is just a friendly challenge to all deer hunters who say they would greatly value opportunities to take more mature bucks with larger antlers. To do so, you cannot kill them when they're 3 1/2 or younger. Nor can you expect other hunters to do something for which you yourself are unwilling. Trends have to begin somewhere, why not with <em>YOU?</em></p><p></p><p>Speaking of how things are <em>TRENDING</em>, we do generally see most states managing deer herds in a more biologically sound manner, most hunters embracing it, mainly via shooting a doe no longer taboo, and more hunters happy to give younger bucks a pass. In most states, overall, deer hunting opportunities are likely the best they've ever been, especially for the public land hunters.</p><p></p><p>Seems only a few years ago, this conversation was mainly regarding 1 1/2-yr-old bucks. Today, it has shifted to where maybe most avid deer hunters are passing up most yearlings, and even most 2 1/2's. But are still killing off the above average antlered young bucks. Totally ok, if that's what you most want.</p><p></p><p>Enjoy your hunting, however you like the icing on your cakes.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="TheLBLman, post: 5498941, member: 1409"] That percentage is relatively low even in herds where the deer go totally unhunted by human hunters. Natural mortality on 4 1/2-yr-old bucks in Cades Cove is in the ballpark of 50%, i.e. 50% of those un-hunted 4 1/2's do not live to 5 1/2. That was once me. But as you hunt more years, you may experience a paradigm shift in your thoughts. I simply enjoy hunting, and have found an old doe can be a bigger hunting challenge than any buck. In other words, I'm very satisfied just with opportunities, just to be hunting, and a doe, or a buck, has replaced my "need" for "it must be a buck" to be satisfying. At some point, you may more value quality over quantity. Harvest pictures of old does have replaced many my antler mounts. Your paradigm shift is already in progress :) Notice you said older "deer" instead of older "buck". But as to an older buck, particularly a mature one with above average antlers, that is the best icing, but you sabotage your own opportunities to get that best icing when you not only settle for less, but actually kill the very bucks that would become the best icing on your hunting cakes. Just saying, it become somewhat hypocritical for any hunter who routinely kills off the best stock in his area, yet complains there aren't many mature bucks where he hunts. And as long as you do this, how can you expect anyone else to give a pass to what you're routinely shooting? This is just a friendly challenge to all deer hunters who say they would greatly value opportunities to take more mature bucks with larger antlers. To do so, you cannot kill them when they're 3 1/2 or younger. Nor can you expect other hunters to do something for which you yourself are unwilling. Trends have to begin somewhere, why not with [I]YOU?[/I] Speaking of how things are [I]TRENDING[/I], we do generally see most states managing deer herds in a more biologically sound manner, most hunters embracing it, mainly via shooting a doe no longer taboo, and more hunters happy to give younger bucks a pass. In most states, overall, deer hunting opportunities are likely the best they've ever been, especially for the public land hunters. Seems only a few years ago, this conversation was mainly regarding 1 1/2-yr-old bucks. Today, it has shifted to where maybe most avid deer hunters are passing up most yearlings, and even most 2 1/2's. But are still killing off the above average antlered young bucks. Totally ok, if that's what you most want. Enjoy your hunting, however you like the icing on your cakes. [/QUOTE]
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