Ghostfarm
Sylvan, AR results in more bucks reaching a higher age class.
I agree. That's a good way to do trophy management.
Do you want 18 month old bucks doing all of the breeding? An 18 month old buck can potentially pass on the same genes as a 5.5 year old, potentially.
Not potentially, the genes of EVERY 18 month old are PRECISELY the same genes as when he is 5.5. So with regard to genes it just doesn't make any difference how old the father is. Also, I hope you do realize that AR means there will be MORE 18 month olds in the population not less. This argument always amazes me. We want the older bucks to breed and not the 18 month olds so lets kill the older bucks and protect the young ones. So 2 buck walk by your tree stand, a 10 point 4 1/2 year old and a 18 month 4 point. By your logic arrow the 10 point. Whose left to do the breeding? If you really want to accomplish the goal of older bucks doing the breeding then the system you want is to only shoot young bucks and protect the older bucks until the rut is over. Only shoot the big guys in say the late bow and late mz season. You'd be for that right?
I think you may be doing a great injustice to your quarry by saying that luck is all that is involved with a more reclusive, cunning animal making it to a higher age class.
Call it an injustice if you like but the facts are what they are. Pretty close to 80% of all of the antlered deer in the woods in NY get shot every year. Because of this it is very rare for a buck to make it to 5.5. Many times a deer illudes one hunter only to by chance run into another. Wouldn't you say that the guy that makes it to 5 1/2 has been pretty fortunate? Even if a deer was as intelligent as a man they would still be lucky to make it to 5 1/2. There are simply so many hunters out there that being smart just isn't enough, you need to be lucky!