What Makes for a Great Bowhuntng state for mature bucks
 

BigJohn ask this in a post. Here is what I think.

1. Gun season out of the Rut and less than 10 days
2. OBR or AR for two
3. Low Hunter Numbers
4. Food source

I rate food source last because if a deer does not age, it does not matter[8D]

What of those 4 does your state have?

Michigan has number 4, but we strike out on the other 3

Gun seaon 15 days in smack dab in the middle of the rut

Hunter numbers 700,000[8D]

OBR-AR in SLP no, in UP this year yes!!!!!!
Two bucks, second is an AR in SLP. In UP it's hunters choice. AR if you shoot two bucks of 3 on a side. If you shoot one without 3 on a side you're done.

RE: What Makes for a Great Bowhuntng state for mature bucks
 

Midwest soil.;)[8D]

RE: What Makes for a Great Bowhuntng state for mature bucks
 

1 and 4 we have covered. Honestly, I think Ohio does a pretty good job managing the deer. I wish our non-resident tags were super expensive though;):D

RE: What Makes for a Great Bowhuntng state for mature bucks
 

You have an OBR also, buckeye math[&:]

RE: What Makes for a Great Bowhuntng state for mature bucks
 

That is number 4:D

Don't tell that to these Northen MI bucks[8D] Hence and OBR back than and low hunting numbers



UP Buck

RE: What Makes for a Great Bowhuntng state for mature bucks
 

Indiana HAS
1. OBR
2. FOOD

Needs help on
1. very long gun season
2. needs to rule out counting button bucks as does

RE: What Makes for a Great Bowhuntng state for mature bucks
 

I think another aspect to put in there is culture.
A culture where it is "normal" to pass on young bucks, will let more live longer. I don't know to what extent the big buck states have that, but I can't see how they wouldn't compared to a MI or PA.

Of the 4 mentioned we have 2, and in some places 4. Our season is 12 days long & on the back side of the rut, but we still get a lot of chase activity witnessed.

I also think there are other minor factors that contribute in small ways.
Strict tresspass laws
Strict poaching fines, and actual probability of getting caught/prosecuted
No spot lighting

Edited to add....actually having a long bow season. Ours is 6 weeks, and cuts out as the peak of the rut nears. [:@]
yea it comes back in after christmas, but good luck there. Unless you hunt completely unpressured lands.

RE: What Makes for a Great Bowhuntng state for mature bucks
 

To be honest you do not want that, and here is why.

If you make it a penalty for shooting a button buck, less does will be shot;) I used to think the same way, i went to a few seminars and got set straight.

It's ok to shoot BB, because they have a higher mortality rate in "nature".

RE: What Makes for a Great Bowhuntng state for mature bucks
 

:eek:Me scratching head :DI never thought of it that way, something to ponder on ;)

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