Private Land Permits

[MI newguy]

On the 40 acre's I own and hunt on, I see as many as 20 does a day and very little bucks, 3 all last season to be exact. I shoot only 6 points or bigger and let the others grow. After talking to other people in the area they tell me we need to thin out some does. I got 4 permits this year over the counter, and had two hunting buddies get one each. What's your opinion on the doe thining? Good or Bad / what do you think?

Thanks

[rzdrmh]

browse the "whitetail management" forum. you'll find plenty of opinion.

[ArrowFlinger]

Let me know if you need some help clearing out a doe or 2. My freezer is empty. Litterally empty I derfrosted it last night.

[safetreehunt]

pretty good idea. On our 240 in Iosco County we try to match the number of does to bucks as a minimum and sometimes go as high as 2 does to each buck harvested. As a result We have a much better ratio of bucks to does and are harvesting 2.5 year old bucks now on a regular basis. We don't shoot anything under 6 points either and try to even hold it to older bucks when they can be identifed.

[Swamp Monster]

Only you can decide if it's a good thing. I don't know where your located or the type of habitat your area consists of but it sounds like you need to take at least a couple. 6 might be pushing it, but then again, maybe not!
Personally, I think taking does is very important, but more so in some areas and not so much in others. I thnk not shooting any is just asking for future problems....people seem to be under the impression that it takes years for a heard to bounce back, but I feel otherwise.

Meet with other property owners in your area....find out what they are seeing or what their experiences have been the last couple of years. Maybe you can all come to a consensus...most likely not.

In our area, taking 6 does is not out of the question on one of our properties, but if every neighbor takes 6 does that may have an impact.....or if they refuse to take any, than 6 does on our land may not be enough!!