True,different habitats and deer herds require different management methods.I find it interesting that the timberland in maine holds few deer.Must be old growth forrest.We hunt timber company land too.20 years ago when we first started hunting where our camp is it was open land(not leased).Deer numbers were extrememly low.Year round poaching kept deer densities low.Then the companys began leasing land to control who had acess to the property.That along with timber management practices(clearcutting) caused an explosion in our population.State game bioligists at that time wanted to increase the herd size so doe harvest was restricted.We have few natural predators and no winter kill to speak of.Our timber company(georgia pacific) has always been hunter friendly.They lease the property cheap as not to price locals and common folk out of the market.They maintain the roads after timber harvest for acess.The hunting cycles with the age of the timber.I would never advocate taking a deer soley for it's rack.Deer is our main staple of meat in my house.What we do down here obviously would'nt work in your situation.I have seen both ends of the spectrum.Very low deer density were you hunted for days just to see a deer.To a overpopulated herd with too many does and too few mature bucks.Now we still have good numbers but we also have some mature bucks running around.By shooting does and letting 1 1/2 bucks walk we have achieved a good balance between numbers and age classes.I dont consider myself a trophy hunter.We just choose to shoot mature 3 1/2 year old bucks.(and alot of does for meat)We do allow our kids to shoot any buck for their first deer.My oldest sons first deer was a button buck.(shot for a doe)In the last five years he has killed a 8pt(14 inch spread),7pt(18 3/4 inch),10 pt(16 inch),8pt (15 inch) and a bunch of does.Needless to say he is sold on QDM.


Billy

WHACKEM N STACKEM