RE: Keeping Landowners happy
Around here there is a MAJOR problem with too many deer; especially in the suburbs. I see so many of my fellow hunters and my customers who are strickly "buck hunters". With the situation that exists here, that is usually NOT the way to approach the problem.
As a matter of fact, several of my landowners have noticed that I hunt to the end of January and continue to take deer - mostly does. One landowner challenged the other hunters last year to shoot more deer. If they don't change their approach, they may loose favor with the landowner.
On the properties that I hunt (4 of them), they are all wealthy landowners and don't want anything but the deer population reduced. Shrubbery alone for these people runs into the tens of thousands of dollars. Crop damage is valued at $400-500 per deer per year. At that rate I personally saved the farmer over $5000 last year.
I know that this is a unique situation, but it is very real. And, I just thought I'd share this approach for those who may have similar 'problems'. I know many hunters in this area who have lost their properties because they were spotted giving does a 'pass.' Some property owners will warn you, others will just tell you to take a walk if you're just a buck hunter. This doesn't mean you can't take a nice buck, it's just that they won't put up with you not taking does.