QDM Fanatics - Read On...

692 Views 14 Replies 7 Participants Last post by BackStrap, Dec 29, 2003

BackStrap

Discussion Starter · Dec 23, 2003

Gentlemen -

I am interested in managing my father's land for larger bucks and a better buck:doe ratio. How would you go about it in my case.

The facts:

70 acres - 60% high grass/shrub (3-6 feet) and 30% woods...7 ponds and a 3 acre clover field. I estimate that around 50 different deer cross/feed/bed on the land every day. In early season it is nothing to see 15 different bucks. Usually we see 1 or 2 bucks with 100"+ antler growth each year. Our neighbors for the most part won't shoot doe. They do however shoot every buck they can (yes, admittedly more than 2 each if able). By the 3rd day of gun season there isn't a buck to be seen other than buttons. This frustrates me. I will not get the DNR involved because we are bow hunters and need neighbor permission to track animals. I feel it is useless to even attempt any sort of management.

What do you suggest?

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Bob S

· #3 · Dec 24, 2003

"What do you suggest?"

Since you asked, here it is. Shoot every doe you can get a permit for until your buck-doe ratio drops to below 1:2.

Create sanctuaries if possible. When the shooting starts if a buck or two has a safe place to hide you might be able to get a few into the older age classes.

What is the browse like in the 30% that is woods? You can create a lot of browse with a chain saw.

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Bob S

· #6 · Dec 25, 2003

Originally posted by BackStrap
I estimate that around 50 different deer cross/feed/bed on the land every day.

In early season it is nothing to see 15 different bucks.

Guys, re-read the original post. BackStrap said he has 50 different deer per day on the property. He then states 15 different bucks in the early season, not 15 bucks per day. I am assuming the early season is the 6 week archery season. That would average one buck every 3 days. My public school education would make that out to be 1 buck for every 150 does and fawns. My original recommendation remains. Shoot every doe you can get a permit for until you see a buck-doe ratio of 1:2 or less.

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Bob S

· #11 · Dec 26, 2003

I also believe that if he has neighbors shooting 2-3 bucks a year you have to figure that into your ratio, what if he has 4 people on the next block of land shooting all the horns they can see in a year,

That is all the more reason he should be shooting as many does as he can. The buck to doe ratio is only getting worse if everyone around him is shooting bucks and no one is shooting does.

who knows

I am answering the question he asked. My answer is based on the informaion he provided. Maybe he only has 5 does and they walk through his property 10 times a day. But that is not what he said.

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