I hooked up with some upland game hunters that leased some ground about 5 years ago. These guys eliminated all the other hunters from this property. They allowed me to bow hunt the ground and I have harvested 2 deer. 10 point and 9 point, the last 2 years. Letting the 2/3 year old deer pass. Finally, I am at a point to have a couple slammers running the ground. My Cuddeback has the 10 and it scores around 150ish.
I find out last week, the upland game guys are gonna try bowhunting. Great. But I would hate to see these guys take bad shots or harvest my younger bad boys.
How can explain this in a fashion they might understand? It is a process to manage for these 3 to 4 year old bucks. In all fairness, it is thier hunting ground so I need to be unselfish and encouraging.
Help!

I don't know what options you have. It's their land and you're their guest. They may need some "good advice" and you can certainly offer to help them as much as you can. I'm not sure how many deer these guys have taken, but to my way of thinking, limiting a beginning bowhunter ( no matter what their actual age is) to taking only trophy animals, is a sure way to create frustration. It's hard to take a deer with a bow....at least it is for me....and until you gain valuable experience, it's nearly hopeless. Don't worry about what they choose to shoot. Stick to your philosophy of hunting and the more they see you taking bruisers, the more they'll want to know what your "secret" is. Tell 'em you have to let the small ones walk if you want to shoot a bigger deer.

Good luck!

GH

WEll it's not good news for you, but frankly, I'd tell them just like I tell every new bow hunter. When you begin, just shoot something. Get your feet wet and don't spend months or years waiting for the perfect buck. It's suppose to be fun and there's no better way for new bowhunters to have fun than to shoot something. You can explain to them your management theory and what you've been doing and it may make them a little more selective. But really, I wouldn't push it too much. Get them out and let them have some fun and get a success under their belt. If there are that many deer around the one or two that the newbies may kill isn't going to make that much impact. Hold off and shoot yourself a big one. That'll get them inspired when they see the difference and always finish your story with, if you let them go they'll grow. I'd try to be more helpful to them than controlling. Afterall.... it is their lease. You're a guest that could very easily loose his "IN" if you aren't careful.