Read all the time about giant eights and sixs all the time being seen there. Is it possible there getting a genetic disposition to never be more then an eight point. I know there are big deer with more points but just curious if it could happen.
presidents island question
- Thread starter wayers
- Start date
TNGunsmoke
Well-Known Member
I would say it is possible, but as deer get older, they develop a greater chance of having more "trash" points which, if they get enough and in the right places, would make them legal there.
mrw
Well-Known Member
There aren't enough bucks killed there to affect the genetic make-up of the herd, in my opinion. Three days of bow hunting a year isn't going to change much.
Mike Belt
Well-Known Member
There are tremendous 8 pointers dying of old age there. I really wish there was some way they could be included in the hunt but I think they don't want over 8-10 bucks taken per year.
If I may add another Presidents island hunting question, do guys that hunt this area use climbing stands or fixed position stands?
If climbing stands, is it simply the first in the woods get the spot?
If climbing stands, is it simply the first in the woods get the spot?
mrw
Well-Known Member
First one there has dibs in my opinion. Having said that, it is a public land hunt and you never know. There is plenty of room to get away from people. We used hang-on stands with sticks. Lots of people were using climbers. Just about every tree has vines growing up it. Might make climbing a little rougher.
One last question, does the state have a map available of this area?
Thanx in advance for the input.
Thanx in advance for the input.
Jon, have you downloaded the kml file from the Twra website for Google earth? It outlines all wma boundaries, including P.I.
I hunted the Island this past weekend and on Friday I saw probably 15-20 deer, four of those were does, and I promise every other buck was an eight point.
At one point I had the biggest deer that I've ever had in front of me at 15 yards quartering away and it too was an eight point.
I tried everything but common core math to make four plus four equal nine on that deer.
At one point I had the biggest deer that I've ever had in front of me at 15 yards quartering away and it too was an eight point.
I tried everything but common core math to make four plus four equal nine on that deer.
Headhunter
Well-Known Member
Mid-Tenn, that is why I have never put in and won't until they change that reg.
Headhunter":et6rfhyx said:
I hunted it once and will never put in for it for the same reason plus all the other negative things I've heard that's going on with the elites hunting it with rifles.
McCoy
Well-Known Member
280longshot":n691k20l said:
Interesting, Tell us more.
Winchester
Well-Known Member
There would definitely be more mature bucks killed if that was the rule instead of 9 pts.
chebuck
Well-Known Member
Just wondering if someone did shoot a 150 class 5 yr old 8pt. What would happen?
Headhunter
Well-Known Member
chebuck, I was told the buck would be taken and the hunter would be subect to fines and prosecution by the twra. Sad, I personally know people who will pay much money to shoot a 150" 8 pointer. A 130" 8 pointer is an awesome buck and one to be proud of. I would be mad as a hornet if I had to pass 140, 150 or better 8 pointer on an archery only hunt only to shoot a 100" 9, 10, 11, 12, or buck with more points. When I had just started hunting more years ago than I want to admit back when it was basically buck only, I shot a 13 pointer, grossed 101". No way is having to pass up a true trophy buck because it only has 8 points, espcecially on a public hunt.
chebuck
Well-Known Member
Headhunter":14l1zhmg said:
That's a shame. They need to have some common since when it comes to something like that. If they had something like 9pts or an 8pt with a minamin spread of 15inches I think it would be better.
Mike Belt
Well-Known Member
There's a fine but I have no idea how much it is. I think TWRA was asked about the success on the hunt and they said either 9 or 10 bucks had been killed which was a good hunt in their opinion. They didn't really want over 10 bucks taken. If they dropped their 9 point restriction and 8 pointers were allowed, even with some type of restriction, that count would go up substantially. I still doubt over 20 deer would be taken. I don't know how many deer the Island holds but I've always been under the assumption there were a lot and 20 bucks a year off the place doesn't seem that it would be detrimental. I also don't know what kind of a restriction they could place on 8 pointers that the general public hunters could conform to. I know they want to keep the place as a premium hunting draw but it seems such a shame to have 140"-150" 8 pointers dying of old age in the process. Many of the bucks seen are moving quickly after does during this hunt. With archery hunting you not only have to be close and have a clear shot but also have to count points before trying to shoot. That's hard to do. It would seem easier to me trying to determine a buck's age or minimum score under those circumstances than trying to make a point count. If there's a fine for shooting under a 9 pointer it would be just as easy to have a fine for shooting too young a buck or one having less than a minimum score. When applying for the hunt hunters would have to check off part of that application stating that they would be subject to a heavy fine if they made a mistake. This way it would be clear on the front end and hunters would know what they're facing if they do.
Again, the possibility of taking any buck in the 150" category would still (in my book) qualify as a premium hunt... even if he was an 8 pointer versus a 9+. I just don't follow the logic in watching them die of old age. I'm not saying this is happening but it would almost seem as if those bucks were being saved for a very few hunters that aren't involved in the draw hunts available to the public. It would be interesting to know how many bucks and what size come off the Island each year aside from the draw hunts... and by whom.
Again, the possibility of taking any buck in the 150" category would still (in my book) qualify as a premium hunt... even if he was an 8 pointer versus a 9+. I just don't follow the logic in watching them die of old age. I'm not saying this is happening but it would almost seem as if those bucks were being saved for a very few hunters that aren't involved in the draw hunts available to the public. It would be interesting to know how many bucks and what size come off the Island each year aside from the draw hunts... and by whom.
Headhunter
Well-Known Member
Another thought about this, PI is being managed to be a "trophy" hunt of a lifetime. Most any managed area for trophy bucks have one thing in common for sure, they kill mature 8 pointers, basically every year to improve chances of more trophy bucks. Absolutely no sense in the fact the giant 8 ptrs that are seen and also get within range of, especailly bow range and you cannot try to kill it? I agree with much of what the TWRA does, but there should be some way to address this.
Same thing happened to me in 2008 and no matter what couldn't make him a 9. Then I saw a stud about 75 yards away that had it all and I tried to turn my bow into a muzzleloader and that didn't work either.Mid-Tenn":1837fms0 said:
For some hunters it's about more than the kill. No offense to those who want to kill a mature 8pt cause I'm on that boat but just being within bow range of a 5.5 or 6.5 year old buck in general is an accomplishment. It comes down to what makes a hunter happy with their harvest/hunt and I feel like twra tries to provide opportunities for those who want to harvest all types of deer. Would I be more pleased with shooting a 130" 3.5 year old 9pt or a 110" 6.5-7.5 year old funky racked wise 6pt? It's a personal preference. When it comes to shooting a "mature" deer who determines what that is? 4.5? 6.5? Inches of antler? Also, Few hunters can age a buck accurately and fast enough to say nah he's only 3.5 he walks. It's a tough call. Personally I'm fine watching 4.5-5.5 year old deer walk by my stand cause it means I did it right. Just a matter of time before the right 4.5-5.5 walks by my stand. some folks that just drives them crazy. To each their own...just let me get drawn once before they change it and everybody shoots those huge 8's haha.
Is this land off limits outside of the hunt dates? I'd love to take my camera down there.
