Im not hunting does at all this year on my lands.The numbers are down and surrounding presure is high but then again thats just Michigan.Mature bucks are very rare so I am spending most of my timeplaying the wind and watching what is moving in and out.If I do take a deer earlyit most likely will be a young buck,seems like I have a bunch of them in a group this year and they will pull out soon. My best chance at getting one of the big boys is to leave the does alone and wait for the rut and hope they move into my area.But this is whats going on in my area and we all know that every area is differant.

There is a lot of factors to consider when trying to figure out how many you are educating such as: How many times have you been busted, how many were around when/if you did. How many were around when you made shots orwhen you went to recover your deer. What routes you took to get into your stands. What the age of the deer (fawns or mature does) that did bust you (if any)etc...

The list goes on and on, it's very difficult to determine how much you have or will effect them by continuing to hunt does, heckin some cases you were probably not even aware of the fact that you're educating them.

I said at the beginning fo the year....I was on a mission to thin does....first and foremost. If I got a buck.....bonus.

My best chance of accomplishing both goals is to hunt does (naturally). I'm talking a goal of EIGHT does, guys. I'm not talking about 1 or 2 for the freezer. I have to be in the woods to kill them. I don't know another way.

I try and shoot lots of does and still hunt for a big buck, but then again I do so over 5-6 properties. So to me it seems quite doable. You only have one real place to hunt right? Can you just keep taking them at the fringes? I don't think it matters how many deer you educate, but moreso WHERE you educate them. If you keep zapping does in a relatively small area, and leave others as safe havens, then when the rut nears, take your stabs in there and I think you would still have a decent shot.

How bout the way I've highlited in red

Thx,

Not goning to lie, when people say I am lucky I just kind of giggle. I am lucky on one hand I am, but the other we(my family) paid a price we should have not had too.

Having to look for land in Ohio taught me a few things, it's not that easly, LOL

And Rybo you belong more than me Penn 1 in 5000 chance, wow

rybo....I think you're likely on the right path. I'm gonna try it this way. I have the 10 acre woodlot that I can hunt....and it's away from my prime areas. I can also LEGALLY hunt near my feeder if I wanted to. I just have rarely ever been that close to it (these fringe areas are on the opposite ends of my hunting grounds).

You are right......and it's worth a try. I have the time.

I agree that is exactly what I would do if I were you.

You're right. You have to take an aggressive approach if your main goal is to kill 8 does and thin the herd. Be in the woods, hunt and take your chances. At the same time (as you know) you're seriously diminishing your chances of killing the buck you're looking for. I really think it would be difficult to accomplish both tasks, especially considering what has gone on in your woods early in your season.

I agree with everything you said, NY.....but I'm willing to give it a go the way rybo described. I know he's right....(and germ)....it's just a hard pill to swallow....to stay out of my best areas.

I may not be able to achieve both goals.....and I may have to move back "in" to achieve the main one. Time will tell.