New Guy here with a question on management practices. Question then I' ll give background. Do we need to take does? Sounds silly, but here is the background.

350 acre lease in medium density deer population in TN. Property is surrounded by about 1500 acres of oak ridges and small hay fields and has a few small subdivisions outside this. Within 5 mile radius we have 2 large golf course communities with deer problems(slow down driving thru). Our lease is mostly pine thickets 10-20' with thick undergrowth and plenty of food. Part has been wiped out by beetles, knocked down in storms, and impossible to walk thru with the new growth. Few small foodplots and bushhogged roads planted in clover. About only way to hunt is set over these or on edge. Hunting pressure on surrounding areas is moderate.

Current rules: Mountable bucks only, except for the kids. No complaints as we took 11 nice bucks in last 2 years up to 140 class. Plus a few more nice deer poached on us I have found out about. We are still seeing nice bucks every year.

Point has been made that we are safe haven bedding area for does and are drawing bucks from the 5 mile radius. No need to take does.

Point has been made that does tend to run off young bucks that relocate. To which the point has been made that they come back when older.

Would appreciate suggestions on harvest rules and QDM. Habitat improvement for a pine thicket. Anyone got a hunting setup suggestion?

Thanks