ORIGINAL: early in
ORIGINAL: GMMAT
If you can only kill certain bucks, that lets"more" bucks live longer to spread desireable genes and help keep a closer buck to doe ratio.
What makes a 3.5yr old buck's genes more "desireable" than they were as a 1.5 yr old?
Smarts/experience!They live longer and pass on these traits through their genes.
BTW, "earn a buck" would work well in my specific area where we have a TON of deer, and I'm all for it! However, in many regions of Pa that's not the answer because of low doe/deer numbers. It would have to be county specific here in Pa.
Early .... if they live longer because they outsmart hunters, I could see your point .... but if they live longer because they are not a viable target anymore ... then point lost and I am still confused ....