TN G.O.A.T Hunter
Well-Known Member
How is the deer herd in your area or what could we do to improve it?
I wishWould you mind dropping off a few 160 class bucks?
from management or herd stand point do you see a lot of older bucks? in my area overall I hear folks see does but aren't seeing a lot of bucks period. got cameras over salt right now haven't seen any bucks or fawns yet.As I don't hunt horns, I would say pretty good. I'm in Unit L, so always fill the freezer for me and at least two friends every year. Every now and then I take buck when they show up, but I honestly don't care how big the rack is, I have never even measured any of the deer I've taken, just counted points.
Depends on your location. In the area where I do most of my work (western Highland Rim), the deer herd is just recovering from a big EHD die-off in 2019. In addition, herd health suffered considerably from last year's drought. But population-wise, I would say the herd is just fine. Health-wise, we will have to see after last year's total disaster.How is the deer herd in your area or what could we do to improve it?
what do you think we could do to have bigger bucks or see bucks like 160 class moreWould you mind dropping off a few 160 class bucks?
Peak fawn drop generally isn't until the last week of May and first two weeks of June, so not a lot on the ground right now. And don't be concerned about bucks caught on camera in summer. Most bucks have a different summer range than hunting-season fall range. In essence, what you see on camera now may have little to nothing to do with what is around in October/November.from management or herd stand point do you see a lot of older bucks? in my area overall I hear folks see does but aren't seeing a lot of bucks period. got cameras over salt right now haven't seen any bucks or fawns yet.
Hunt near big agricultural fields, and don't kill your best middle-aged bucks.what do you think we could do to have bigger bucks or see bucks like 160 class more
we don't have agricultural fields in my area its pretty rough country. small fields about itHunt near big agricultural fields, and don't kill your best middle-aged bucks.
Then don't expect many 160-class bucks. That's just the reality of deer in TN.we don't have agricultural fields in my area its pretty rough country. small fields about it
they are some in my area just rough area to hunt, not managed really goodThen don't expect many 160-class bucks. That's just the reality of deer in TN.
Even on the best managed properties, 160-class bucks are rare. The average mature buck in TN grosses 120-125. That said, the bell-curve distribution of possible scores exceeds 100 gross inches top to bottom. On the same property, I've seen mature bucks grossing in the 50s and mature bucks grossing in the 160s. But both of those are the statistical extremes. Most will be 110-135.they are some in my area just rough area to hunt, not managed really good
That's what I have seen in my area, but on occasion I will see older deer down along yellow creek that never seem to venture out during the day. When I purchased my small plot, I seen a few large antlered deer crossing onto my property, but never captured one on camera so they must have traveled along the gasline between properties. Fort Campbell will sometimes get large deer, but as you said, it's the exception not the rule.Even on the best managed properties, 160-class bucks are rare. The average mature buck in TN grosses 120-125. That said, the bell-curve distribution of possible scores exceeds 100 gross inches top to bottom. On the same property, I've seen mature bucks grossing in the 50s and mature bucks grossing in the 160s. But both of those are the statistical extremes. Most will be 110-135.
Depends on your definition of "improvements".How is the deer herd in your area or what could we do to improve it?
The short answer (in Tennessee) is nothing.what do you think we could do to have bigger bucks or see bucks like 160 class more
Whether TN hunters want to believe this or not, this remains the reality of free-roaming TN deer herds. Again, look at the Ames Plantation, where there is lots of agricultural fields, great habitat overall, and above average soils for TN.Even on the best managed properties, 160-class bucks are rare. The average mature buck in TN grosses 120-125. . . . . . . Most will be 110-135.
While I agree areas containing big agricultural fields may increase antler scores by 5 to 15 points (that's might turn an average 120-class MATURE buck into a 130-class one), your single best way to grow larger antlered older bucks is simply do not kill your largest antlered 2 1/2 & 3 1/2-yr-old bucks!Hunt near big agricultural fields, and don't kill your best middle-aged bucks.
good points.The most practical plan I've come up with for myself is to simply avoid killing any bucks under the age of 5 1/2. This improves my odds of taking mature bucks scoring 140-ish instead of the more average 120-ish.
But again, you cannot get blood out of a turnip.
If you want realistic odds at bucks (of any age) scoring over 140, and especially over 150,
you need to look at some other states where the conditions (particularly the soil) are capable of more regularly producing antlers of this size.
A 150-plus class buck in TN might be 1 in a thousand.
A 150-plus class buck in KY might be 1 in one hundred.
Sure, there are pockets in both states where things may be a little better or worse.
But 150-plus class whitetails are relatively much rarer than outfitters and others after your money might have you thinking.
From a game agency management perspective, I think the most practical (and fair to the most hunters) deer "management" is simply to have mostly "either-sex" deer hunting with a statewide 2-buck limit. Other issues include lengths of seasons and weapons allowed (archery, shotgun only, centerfires, etc.).
Some trophist buck hunters will disagree, as they might prefer a 1-buck limit (like is the case in the State of KY). So if you want bigger antlered bucks, consider going to KY (or about any state you pick that's north and/or west of TN).
However, if TWRA "managed" the TN statewide deer seasons EXACTLY like KY does, i.e. 1-buck limit, 2-week gun season, etc.), I doubt our average buck scores would increase by over 5 inches. There is not blood in the Tennessee Turn
Your experience is not unusual.When I purchased my small plot, I seen a few large antlered deer crossing onto my property, but never captured one on camera so they must have traveled along the gasline between properties. Fort Campbell will sometimes get large deer, but as you said, it's the exception not the rule.
What about mature, not score wise could anything change or be done to have more mature deer on landscape. 4-6 yr oldsThe most practical plan I've come up with for myself is to simply avoid killing any bucks under the age of 5 1/2. This improves my odds of taking mature bucks scoring 140-ish instead of the more average 120-ish.
But again, you cannot get blood out of a turnip.
If you want realistic odds at bucks (of any age) scoring over 140, and especially over 150,
you need to look at some other states where the conditions (particularly the soil) are capable of more regularly producing antlers of this size.
A 150-plus class buck in TN might be 1 in a thousand.
A 150-plus class buck in KY might be 1 in one hundred.
Sure, there are pockets in both states where things may be a little better or worse.
But 150-plus class whitetails are relatively much rarer than outfitters and others after your money might have you thinking.
From a game agency management perspective, I think the most practical (and fair to the most hunters) deer "management" is simply to have mostly "either-sex" deer hunting with a statewide 2-buck limit. Other issues include lengths of seasons and weapons allowed (archery, shotgun only, centerfires, etc.).
Some trophist buck hunters will disagree, as they might prefer a 1-buck limit (like is the case in the State of KY). So if you want bigger antlered bucks, consider going to KY (or about any state you pick that's north and/or west of TN).
However, if TWRA "managed" the TN statewide deer seasons EXACTLY like KY does, i.e. 1-buck limit, 2-week gun season, etc.), I doubt our average buck scores would increase by over 5 inches. There is not blood in the Tennessee Turnip.
What would be the point if not for score? Younger deer are better tasting, so that can't be it.What about mature, not score wise could anything change or be done to have more mature deer on landscape. 4-6 yr olds