Originally Posted by
olsaltydog
Found this on one of Maryland's information pamphlets or PDF.
Deer Research and Data Use eer Research and Data Use
In 2013-2014, 4,384 deer were examined at
butcher shops across the state during the muzzleloader
and firearm seasons. At the butcher shops,
sex and age of the deer were determined and antler
measurements were recorded for bucks. Deer were
also checked for evidence of illness or disease.
Also would appear that your states antler restrictions seem to be rather liberal in that either a double fork horn or a single 3 point or above can be taking in conjunction with does throughout the season. If this is wrong please correct me.
If a state is using antler restrictions in conjunction with doe tags then age structure/ and population is probably the goal. If you had more sever antler restrictions but no doe tags then I would say trophy might be the more emphasis as this indicates they butchered a better well rounded plan for emphasis on older bucks which as you mentioned does the deer herd no good.
They examined 4% of the deer taken (95,863) and that doesn't count the ones that never make it to the butcher shop. I process my own deer as does my neighbor and many others. It just doesn't seem like a good way to determine age structure by only checking 4%. Maybe it is, I am not a biologist.
Instead of letting us shoot 4 bucks a year and having antler restrictions, why not limit the take to 1 or 2? Granted you need to shoot 2 does to get the bonus antlered stamp but I can still shoot 3 and no does need to be shot.
We can shoot unlimited does but there is no requirement to shoot does. If we are trying to manage herd size why not require 2 does before any buck?
It is not really that hard to determine an older doe from a younger one here in MD. I also wait to see if there are fawns but usually the fawns are not too cautious and their movement gives them away first.
Anyway, sorry for going on a MD tangent and taking the thread off track.