Part of the solution.....or part of the problem?
08-12-2008, 07:21 AM
#1
Dominant Buck
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location:
Posts: 21,043
Part of the solution.....or part of the problem?
1. What's the herd dynamics where you hunt (doe v. buck numbers & overall deer numbers)?
2. What's your preferred method of hunting (your ideology)? Trophy, only? "Opportunist" (take bucks and does)? Does, only....with the occasional buck?
3. What would be your preferred method if you had a good herd structure (buck:doe ratio was good....and deer numbers were in check)?
4. Doesyour herd dynamics affect your preferred method? Do you overlook herd dynamics and hunt "your" way?
2. What's your preferred method of hunting (your ideology)? Trophy, only? "Opportunist" (take bucks and does)? Does, only....with the occasional buck?
3. What would be your preferred method if you had a good herd structure (buck:doe ratio was good....and deer numbers were in check)?
4. Doesyour herd dynamics affect your preferred method? Do you overlook herd dynamics and hunt "your" way?
08-12-2008, 07:33 AM
#3
Giant Nontypical
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: PA
Posts: 8,167
RE: Part of the solution.....or part of the problem?
ORIGINAL: GMMAT
1. What's the herd dynamics where you hunt (doe v. buck numbers & overall deer numbers)?
1. What's the herd dynamics where you hunt (doe v. buck numbers & overall deer numbers)?
2. What's your preferred method of hunting (your ideology)? Trophy, only? "Opportunist" (take bucks and does)? Does, only....with the occasional buck?
3. What would be your preferred method if you had a good herd structure (buck:doe ratio was good....and deer numbers were in check)?
4. Doesyour herd dynamics affect your preferred method? Do you overlook herd dynamics and hunt "your" way?
08-12-2008, 07:38 AM
#4
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Albany, NY
Posts: 4,679
RE: Part of the solution.....or part of the problem?
ORIGINAL: GMMAT
1. What's the herd dynamics where you hunt (doe v. buck numbers & overall deer numbers)?
1. What's the herd dynamics where you hunt (doe v. buck numbers & overall deer numbers)?
ORIGINAL: GMMAT
2. What's your preferred method of hunting (your ideology)? Trophy, only? "Opportunist" (take bucks and does)? Does, only....with the occasional buck?
2. What's your preferred method of hunting (your ideology)? Trophy, only? "Opportunist" (take bucks and does)? Does, only....with the occasional buck?
ORIGINAL: GMMAT
3. What would be your preferred method if you had a good herd structure (buck:doe ratio was good....and deer numbers were in check)?
3. What would be your preferred method if you had a good herd structure (buck:doe ratio was good....and deer numbers were in check)?
ORIGINAL: GMMAT
4. Doesyour herd dynamics affect your preferred method? Do you overlook herd dynamics and hunt "your" way?
4. Doesyour herd dynamics affect your preferred method? Do you overlook herd dynamics and hunt "your" way?
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08-12-2008, 07:40 AM
#5
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Southern Illinois
Posts: 1,559
RE: Part of the solution.....or part of the problem?
It is near impossible for one man with a limited amount of land to manage the buck-doe ratio. Where I do most of my hunting in Illinois, I have way more does than bucks. Sure I take almost every doe that walks past me, but I know doing so is only a very small drop in a very large bucket. As far as bucks go, I let the younger bucks walk, doing so I can only hope they get a pass from the guys hunting on other properties near me. Again, this is an almost impossible task if you don't own, or at least have execlusive access to a ton of land. Then of course there is the problem of the time that is required to really manage the land. My best farm is a little over 300 acres, only me and my two sons hunt it. We take ever doe we can. I am pretty selective on the bucks I take, I let the boys take whatever buck they want to, mostly because they don't have that many kills yet under their belts. This is only the second year hunting for my youngest boy (12), and really only the second year hunting for my oldest boy (15), breaking an arm in football two years in a row has limited his time in stand with a bow.
08-12-2008, 07:41 AM
#6
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: TX Panhandle
Posts: 620
RE: Part of the solution.....or part of the problem?
Most aspects of our herd dynamics are pretty good. Buck to doe, age structure, population, etc., so that really doesn't influence what I hunt. Other than the fact that it allows me to hunt however I want to.
I hunt what I want, when I want.
What influences me the most is three hunters under my roof and only a certain amount of freezer space. Last year I donated two does to a family Iknew needed them. Priority right now is letting my boys shoot and hunt whenever they desire. The youngest desires alot. For me to shoot a buck it really has to be one I want. Other than that I am content to shoot does to feed others. My boys will get plent of meat for us. I live on the hope of that big one that may or may not materialize.
I hunt what I want, when I want.What influences me the most is three hunters under my roof and only a certain amount of freezer space. Last year I donated two does to a family Iknew needed them. Priority right now is letting my boys shoot and hunt whenever they desire. The youngest desires alot.
For me to shoot a buck it really has to be one I want. Other than that I am content to shoot does to feed others. My boys will get plent of meat for us. I live on the hope of that big one that may or may not materialize.
08-12-2008, 07:45 AM
#7
Giant Nontypical
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Phoenixville, PA USA
Posts: 5,541
RE: Part of the solution.....or part of the problem?
It varies depending on the property I hunt. Some are doe only because seeing a 2.5 in those areas is like seeing Jesus doing cartwheels in the Dunkin Donuts parking lot. It don't happen often. Other areas are mature buck only until late season then does come into play because they are good spots with potential, but small so whacking does to early would likely booger it up. Other areas are opportunist areas where I will take whatever strikes my fancy at the time.
Definitely a mixed bag.
Definitely a mixed bag.
08-12-2008, 07:46 AM
#8
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Cenral Illinois
Posts: 3,180
RE: Part of the solution.....or part of the problem?
ORIGINAL: GMMAT
1. What's the herd dynamics where you hunt (doe v. buck numbers & overall deer numbers)?
On one property, the ratio is pretty decent, probably 4/1 does/bucks. I have a new piece to hunt that I haven't even seen yet (from the inside) so I'm not sure what the deal on that one is.
2. What's your preferred method of hunting (your ideology)? Trophy, only? "Opportunist" (take bucks and does)? Does, only....with the occasional buck?
Trophy buck and a couple does are the ideal. I do have one place that is doe only, where I hunt with a friend of mine. We're still trying to double up on camera.
3. What would be your preferred method if you had a good herd structure (buck:doe ratio was good....and deer numbers were in check)?
If the ratio was good and numbers were good, I would hold out for a trophy every year and take the appropriate number of does. Much like alot of the pros do it (Drury, Lakosky, Gregory, Kisky) on their home farms.
4. Doesyour herd dynamics affect your preferred method? Do you overlook herd dynamics and hunt "your" way?
In IL, I have yet to have the same property for two seasons, so I haven't had a chance to do much managing at this point. The new property I have, the woman bought as an investment and plans to keep it for a long time, so I'm hoping it kind of becomes "my spot." If that is the case, I'll be able to operate a little more. Not sure what the surrounding land owners do, but I can find that out.
1. What's the herd dynamics where you hunt (doe v. buck numbers & overall deer numbers)?
On one property, the ratio is pretty decent, probably 4/1 does/bucks. I have a new piece to hunt that I haven't even seen yet (from the inside) so I'm not sure what the deal on that one is.
2. What's your preferred method of hunting (your ideology)? Trophy, only? "Opportunist" (take bucks and does)? Does, only....with the occasional buck?
Trophy buck and a couple does are the ideal. I do have one place that is doe only, where I hunt with a friend of mine. We're still trying to double up on camera.
3. What would be your preferred method if you had a good herd structure (buck:doe ratio was good....and deer numbers were in check)?
If the ratio was good and numbers were good, I would hold out for a trophy every year and take the appropriate number of does. Much like alot of the pros do it (Drury, Lakosky, Gregory, Kisky) on their home farms.
4. Doesyour herd dynamics affect your preferred method? Do you overlook herd dynamics and hunt "your" way?
In IL, I have yet to have the same property for two seasons, so I haven't had a chance to do much managing at this point. The new property I have, the woman bought as an investment and plans to keep it for a long time, so I'm hoping it kind of becomes "my spot." If that is the case, I'll be able to operate a little more. Not sure what the surrounding land owners do, but I can find that out.
08-12-2008, 07:52 AM
#9
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Albany, NY
Posts: 4,679
RE: Part of the solution.....or part of the problem?
ORIGINAL: kickin_buck
It is near impossible for one man with a limited amount of land to manage the buck-doe ratio. Where I do most of my hunting in Illinois, I have way more does than bucks. Sure I take almost every doe that walks past me, but I know doing so is only a very small drop in a very large bucket.
It is near impossible for one man with a limited amount of land to manage the buck-doe ratio. Where I do most of my hunting in Illinois, I have way more does than bucks. Sure I take almost every doe that walks past me, but I know doing so is only a very small drop in a very large bucket.
08-12-2008, 07:56 AM
#10
Dominant Buck
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location:
Posts: 21,043
RE: Part of the solution.....or part of the problem?
It's possible, it's just a lot of work and discipline.
To "me" this means foregoing (for the most part) my "best" opportunity at bucks and concentrating on the "work" part (doe reduction). THIS aspect of the "discipline" is toughest, for ME. Passing on the little bucks, isn't.