Improving Antler Genetics in the Wild

[BigGameGuy]

First let me start with a quote from another thread...

BSK how do you improve antler genetics?

You don't. Altering genetics of any kind in the wild is impossible.

But BSK...you can't be right!

Look what the deer farming industry is doing in Alabama this fall: Alabama Big Buck Project

Here is another related article from Field and Stream: F&S Opinion

Let the discussion begin...

 

[Diehard Hunter]

Yet another Pot Stirrer? Don't you have a checking station to work? LOL

That Alabama big buck project is nothing more than a ploy to allow the property owners to charge mega premiums for the property they lease to hunters.

I can already hear the sales pitch...."Yes Mr. Johnson we understand property in this area usually leases for $7.00 per acre, but those properties do not have the genetics our properties have. We have released x number of genetically superior mega bucks on our properties, and your chance of killing a record class buck have been significantly improved. Therefore, our prices are really a bargain at $50.00 per acre. You would spend much more than that to hunt with an outfitter in Iowa or any other big buck state. With our system, you can hunt all you want for one annual price."

 

[whistlinwingman]

Under the FAQ section in the "Alabama Big Buck Project" it says"

What if a landowner does not want one on his property?

The landowner has every right to harvest one of these deer under current state regulations. Big Buck Project recommends that Marengo County landowners allow these released breeder deer to live and help provide the intended results of improving the Marengo County "

Im pretty sure they will be harvested within their first year of "living in the wild".

This ideaology is strictly money driven. Nothing else to say about it.

 

[CPerkins]

Dont think that the Alabama project will have significant results. Release deer that have the genetically should sport better than average racks and tag them so that they are more visible. Got a feeling that most will be checked in or taken by road hunters before they hit 3 1/2.

 

[BigGameGuy]

What was refreshing to see were the comments on the Field and Stream site. No doubt the masses think this is a very poor and potentially harmful venture.

Could you imagine if something (i.e. CWD) shows up down there soon? Who do you think will be held accountable? And guess who would be resonsiple for not only cleaning up but paying for the mess?

I'm so thankful to live and work in Tennessee!

 

[Southern Sportsman]

So they're going to take a bunch of pen raised, young deer with above average genetics (which I assume will mean above average antler size for their age class) and turn them loose in the wild all over Marengo County, AL (clearly known for the selectivity of its deer hunters) in order to restore "record book genetics."

Yep . . . That should do it. Better lock up a long term lease in Marengo County. Lease prices are going to rocket once 200" deer start grazing in everyone's front yards because they have become so prevalent, thanks of course to the un-yielding efforts of "The Big Buck Project."

Who the hell is paying for all this? I've never seen a plan so destined for failure.

 

[whistlinwingman]

What was refreshing to see were the comments on the Field and Stream site. No doubt the masses think this is a very poor and potentially harmful venture.

Could you imagine if something (i.e. CWD) shows up down there soon? Who do you think will be held accountable? And guess who would be resonsiple for not only cleaning up but paying for the mess?

I'm so thankful to live and work in Tennessee!

Amen to that brother.

Thanks for what you all do.

 

[BigGameGuy]

Yet another Pot Stirrer? Don't you have a checking station to work? LOL

I call my posts them excellent educational tools!

This truly is the greatest thing about TNDeer, one person may post, but 100 may read!

 

[Diehard Hunter]

Keep in mind the company wanting to do this is Tutt LAND Company. this is nothing more than a ploy to up the price of their land. Unfortunately, there are some really stupid people out there that are very rich. This will be an advertising gimmick to justify the exorbitant prices they will have for the real estate.

I will say it again....The loss of privately owned public hunting lands was the first step in the ruination of deer hunting. Prices will only go up, and there will come a time when regular joes like you and I will only be able to afford a spectator pass.

 

[AT Hiker]

Kind of a ignorant and costly idea, who would pay $2,000 to $20,000 for a deer the. Turn right around and release it into the wild? Im gonna start raising deer in AL for these suckers!

I can only assume they have tried all other scenarios to "improve" their herd?

 

[BSK]

BSK is hunting right now. If you would like a prompt retort, please deposit 99 cents into his PayPal acct and he will use his smartphone to respond.

I just spit Diet Coke all over my monitor...

 

[BSK]

This "idea" is not only just about making a few peoples' wallets fatter, it is also one of the most biologically dangerous ploys I've ever heard of. Absolute insanity.

 

[Mike Belt]

What I can't figure out is all these deer farms raising and selling mega bucks and selling the semen from them to be used in breeding if it has been proven that the does actually carry most of the genetics for antler growth. Is there truely a sucker born every minute?

 

[BSK]

What I can't figure out is all these deer farms raising and selling mega bucks and selling the semen from them to be used in breeding if it has been proven that the does actually carry most of the genetics for antler growth. Is there truely a sucker born every minute?

Yes.

Why would an industry push so hard to allow new farms (new competition) to be allowed? That flies in the face of competitive business. If you have something that valuable, the last thing you would want is competition. The more you have the market cornered, the more valuable your product is. The more competition there is, the less valuable your product is. So why is the deer farming industry pushing so hard for deer farming to be opened in new markets? Because the entire industry is a pyramid scheme. The only true market for "breeder bucks" is stock for supplying new deer farms. This is the exact same thing as the ostrich farming craze that occurred about a decade ago (which collapsed, as every pyramid scheme eventually does).

If there truly was value in breeder bucks and breeder buck semen, the absolute LAST thing deer farmers would want is more deer farms and more competition.

 

[Savage]

Does the quality of the rack hinge strictly from genetics recieved from the buck, or do does carry any weight on that?

 

[BSK]

Does the quality of the rack hinge strictly from genetics recieved from the buck, or do does carry any weight on that?

In fact, the genetic link from father's rack to son's rack is highly dubious. That direct link has not been found. To date, the best studies indicate the mother doe provides the majority of direct genetic material for her son's antler size and shape.

 

[Winchester]

Does the quality of the rack hinge strictly from genetics recieved from the buck, or do does carry any weight on that?

In fact, the genetic link from father's rack to son's rack is highly dubious. That direct link has not been found. To date, the best studies indicate the mother doe provides the majority of direct genetic material for her son's antler size and shape.

Exactly!! They would fare much better to release some big ol healthy does with proven 200+ inch previous offspring!! These does might actually live through the first season as well!!! Hilarious what money will make people do! Only 1 thing more powerful and its about to get a whole lot of bucks killed in the coming weeks! :grin:

 

[StalkingWolf]

Don't mess with mother nature!