ORIGINAL: HuntinGUS
Does it take a high fence to produce mature Whitetails?NO.
Gus, You are correct. It does not take ahigh fence, it takes proper deer management to produce superior mature whitetail bucks.This can be anything from: making good foodplots to supplementing their natural food source, putting out good mineral licks (not salt licks), taking out young cull bucks and old does, and keeping your buck to doe ratio at a good level.
My point was the infactuation with the Monster bucks. Hunting (for some) is no longer about killing what makes you happy or gets you excited. There seems to be alot of folks that think you should only shoot a "mature" buck or just shoot does......."for the betterment of the herd"
Gus, I get excited with every deer I see come under my stand. Most folks out to shoot a buck, are looking for that monster buck (rack). When the area that some folks hunt has been poorly managed and there are only small racked bucks left to see, then yes, they are going to get excited about shooting small bucks. Or young hunters, new to hunting are generally excited about shooting any buck they can, large or small racked. Most folks looking to put meat on the table, will shoot a doe or young cull buck. Rather than take any young buck, which may be a potential breeder for the future of the herd. An over abundance of either sex is not good for the herd, so there may be times when it is necessary to take out some of the smaller bucks as well.
Basically you are stating that because not enough people choose to shoot only mature bucks, these types of venues are a necessity? Is a mature buck that important? I guss I just don't get it. I hunt for what makes me happy. Sometimes I shoot young buck, sometimes I hold off and wait. SometimesI take what I get, but I do not manufacture it, buy putting up high fences or enhancing the Bucks potential with supplements. I rather kill a regular 1.5 year old 4 point than resort to these means.
In some instances, yes this is true. The main purpose of the fence is to contain the animals within the ranches property lines. Most of these ranches have purchased or raised their "livestock"to be superior to what may be on the neighbors property. This also allows them to know what is there for their hunters to hunt. Feeding them at various locations throughout the property brings them to areas set-up for hunting/shooting, which is the purpose of the ranch.
To most folks, yes a mature racked buck is that important. Unless they are culling, that is why they are hunting a buck. Hence, the reason for hunting a fenced operation. They can get the mature racked buck to their liking. As I stated before, many folks may not have the physical ability to get to some locations that others hunt. Others may not have the time to put in scouting, hanging stands, and all the fun stuff many folks enjoy about doing it all yourself. Others want to make the shot and hang it on the wall, without having to do all the messy inbetweens.
Enjoying being on the hunt is what it is all about for me. I just love being in the woods, seeing or shooting deer is the bonus. By all means, do what makes you happy. I am not trying to tell you how to hunt. I am just trying to explain to you about why some areas are poorly managed. And that, although you and many other folks may not agree with or ever hunt a highfence operation, it is a legal way of hunting and serves a purpose to those that need the service.
Gus, supplementing their natural feed with foodplots or minerals is not a bad thing. It is the same as taking vitamins for yourself if you do not get what you need in your normal diet.
I have one question for you. I am curiousas to your age. It has no relevance as to anything I have told you, I am just curious, I have been away from the boards since spring and need to do some catch-up.