VERY interesting article on QDM
02-25-2004, 08:09 PM
#1
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: NY
Posts: 4,668
VERY interesting article on QDM
http://espn.go.com/outdoors/conserva...k_biology.html
The biology of button bucks
Conventional wisdom says not to harvest button bucks, but is that sound advice for property under a Quality Deer Management plan?
By Brian Murphy
Executive director — Quality Deer Management Association
Quality Deer Management programs often require the harvesting of numerous does, sometimes button bucks are killed by mistake.
You could feel the tension in the air as the truck neared the property's deer check-in station. Word had spread that Billy had mistakenly harvested a second buck fawn for the season and disappointed club members were gathered in anticipation of his arrival back at camp.
Just one month earlier at the pre-season hunt club meeting, members were strongly encouraged to harvest does, but cautioned against harvesting buck fawns or "button bucks." In fact, this year the club even instituted a $100 fine for the first button buck and a $250 fine for the second to drive this point home. This sounded reasonable because the club was in its third year of their Quality Deer Management (QDM) program and wanted to limit the harvest of their "bucks of tomorrow."
This strategy is fine in principle, but is it based in biology?
Over the past two decades, whitetail researchers have conducted numerous studies on the movements of male whitetail deer with some interesting findings. Collectively, the results of these studies have significant implications for QDM programs attempting to maximize the number of adult bucks on their properties.
The primary justification for not harvesting button bucks is that they will remain on your property until they reach maturity and become eligible for harvest. Let's examine this premise in closer detail.
Button buck dispersal
Studies show that a majority of bucks between 6-18 months of age will disperse some distance from their birth area before establishing a new home range.
A study conducted by Dr. Chris Rosenberry and others in Maryland provided some interesting findings. During this study, they captured and radio-collared 75 male whitetails ranging from six to 18 months of age. Of these, 51 were followed until death or the end of the study. Of these, 70 percent dispersed from the 3,300-acre study area with half dispersing more than 3.7 miles.
Dispersal distance varied greatly from 1.2 to 36 miles. A couple of these young bucks even swam a mile-wide river during dispersal.
A similar study conducted by Dr. Harry Jacobson and others in Mississippi reported that 42 percent of the 52 male whitetails captured as fawns died in excess of three miles from their original capture site. A Florida study by John Kilgo and others reported that all seven male fawns captured and followed in their study dispersed from their original capture area by 18 months of age.
Interestingly, the Jacobson study found that once the young bucks had dispersed, they generally remained within their new home range until death. In their study, 60 percent of bucks captured at two years of age or older died within one mile of their capture site and none died more than three miles from their original capture site.
Collectively, these studies show that a majority of bucks between 6-18 months of age will disperse some distance from their birth area before establishing a new home range. But, once their new home range is established, they will generally remain in this area until death.
These results have significant implications for QDM, especially on small properties.
Implications for small properties
It is believed that dispersal in young male whitetails (and many other mammals) may be a mechanism to prevent inbreeding.
Given that the average dispersal distance of young bucks in these studies was 1-4 miles, this means that even properties 3,000 acres and larger are potentially losing the majority of the button bucks produced on their properties. To a large degree, protecting button bucks on your property increases the number of bucks for the "neighborhood," but may do little to increase the number that will mature on your property.
This emphasizes the need for a cooperative approach to QDM. Since the button bucks being produced by your neighbors may be "your" adult bucks of tomorrow, the extent to which your neighbors protect their young bucks is at least as important as how well the hunters on your property protect theirs.
This also provides a possible explanation for why some properties that consistently pass all button bucks and yearling bucks never observe an increase in the number that reach 2.5 years of age or older. It could simply be that the young bucks passed on your property disperse to your neighbors and are harvested there.
In other words, your neighbors are not only harvesting their button bucks and yearling bucks, they are harvesting yours as well.
Many hunters practicing QDM fail to observe significant increases in body weight or antler development of yearling bucks despite monumental increases in high-quality forage through food plots and intensive habitat management. It is possible that the yearling bucks observed on your property actually spent their lives on your neighbor's property, where the habitat quality was lower, and only recently dispersed to your property.
Understanding dispersal
The average dispersal distance of young bucks is 1-4 miles, this means that even properties 3,000 acres and larger are potentially losing the majority of the bucks produced on their properties.
While dispersal is a common occurrence in whitetail deer populations, the causes for it are not fully understood. A study conducted by Stefan Holzenbein and Dr. R. Larry Marchinton in Georgia revealed that dispersal of young bucks was greatly reduced if the buck's mother was harvested prior to dispersal. Prior to this study, it was believed that adult bucks in the area were responsible for forcing young bucks to leave their birth area.
The Holzenbein study monitored 34 buck fawns divided into two groups — 19 that were left with their mothers (non-orphans) and 15 whose mothers were harvested or removed (orphans). The results were surprising.
By 30 months of age, 87 percent of the non-orphans had dispersed from their birth areas, but only nine percent of the orphans had left theirs. In addition, the non-orphans died at more than twice the rate of the orphans.
They reasoned that dispersing bucks were less aware of their new surroundings and more likely to succumb to harvest by hunters as well as death from predation, accidents and other mortality factors.
This was supported by the Rosenberry study, which revealed that only 36 percent of yearling bucks that dispersed survived their first hunting season, whereas 66 percent of those that did not disperse survived.
The primary reason for death of the dispersers in this study was harvest by hunters on surrounding properties that were not practicing QDM.
The Rosenberry study also revealed another possible dispersal mechanism. They found that dispersers were more likely to associate with other yearling bucks and participate in breeding season behaviors more often than non-dispersers.
In addition, dispersers tended to be more subordinate in these interactions. They concluded that sexual competition among yearling bucks was a potential explanation for dispersal. Given that the social structure of a deer population may be affected by age structure (buck and doe), sex ratio, density, habitat quality, and more, it's not surprising that these studies reported different dispersal mechanisms.
Most deer researchers agree that dispersal in whitetail deer coincides with changes in a young buck's social position within the herd. In simple terms, yearling bucks are social outcasts recently expelled from their own family group and excluded from joining other family groups or associating with older males. Often, the only members of the herd that will "befriend" them are other yearling bucks, buck fawns, and occasionally yearling does. The actual dispersal "trigger" is likely a complex interaction of social pressures within a deer herd.
Reducing dispersal on your property
A study conducted in Georgia revealed that dispersal of young bucks was greatly reduced if the buck's mother was harvested prior to dispersal.
Given these findings, is there anything that can be done to reduce dispersal of button bucks on your property?
The Holzenbein study suggests that harvesting adult does with button bucks at their side may increase the number that remain on your hunting area and potentially reach maturity there.
It is believed that dispersal in young male whitetails (and many other mammals) may be a mechanism to prevent inbreeding. In other words, it prevents sons from breeding with their mothers, sisters, and other related females.
Given this, will preventing natural dispersal produce negative genetic impacts within your deer herd?
While no one can say for sure, it is not believed to be a problem, especially in areas with relatively high deer populations and high degrees of "genetic mixing" from deer on surrounding properties.
Now, back to Billy.
Should club members fine Billy for harvesting the button buck and maybe even expel him from the club? Not necessarily. Billy has demonstrated a willingness to harvest "antlerless" deer and this should be commended.
Often, reducing the total deer density on a property is the most important goal, even if a few button bucks are taken in the process.
The worst approach a QDM club can take is to make penalties for harvesting button bucks so severe that too few antlerless deer are harvested.
Should the club continue to aggressively protect button bucks? Of course, not all button bucks disperse and even those that do will help improve surrounding deer herds.
Additionally, buck fawns (doe fawns as well), provide useful data on habitat quality and herd condition. Because fawns grow rapidly their first year, their body weight is one of the best indicators of changes in habitat quality.
If penalties are too severe, the chances that these deer will not be reported or included in the harvest data are increased. As such, penalties, if imposed, should be sufficient to encourage hunters to look carefully before making harvest decisions, but not so severe that they refrain from harvest altogether or do not report their "mistakes."
The best approach is to provide the proper training and educational resources to your hunters to enable selective antlerless harvest decisions. Most importantly, target your efforts to protect button bucks and yearling bucks not just on your property, but on all properties within possible dispersal distance — at least four miles. Otherwise, the success of your QDM program may be negatively impacted.
The biology of button bucks
Conventional wisdom says not to harvest button bucks, but is that sound advice for property under a Quality Deer Management plan?
By Brian Murphy
Executive director — Quality Deer Management Association
Quality Deer Management programs often require the harvesting of numerous does, sometimes button bucks are killed by mistake.
You could feel the tension in the air as the truck neared the property's deer check-in station. Word had spread that Billy had mistakenly harvested a second buck fawn for the season and disappointed club members were gathered in anticipation of his arrival back at camp.
Just one month earlier at the pre-season hunt club meeting, members were strongly encouraged to harvest does, but cautioned against harvesting buck fawns or "button bucks." In fact, this year the club even instituted a $100 fine for the first button buck and a $250 fine for the second to drive this point home. This sounded reasonable because the club was in its third year of their Quality Deer Management (QDM) program and wanted to limit the harvest of their "bucks of tomorrow."
This strategy is fine in principle, but is it based in biology?
Over the past two decades, whitetail researchers have conducted numerous studies on the movements of male whitetail deer with some interesting findings. Collectively, the results of these studies have significant implications for QDM programs attempting to maximize the number of adult bucks on their properties.
The primary justification for not harvesting button bucks is that they will remain on your property until they reach maturity and become eligible for harvest. Let's examine this premise in closer detail.
Button buck dispersal
Studies show that a majority of bucks between 6-18 months of age will disperse some distance from their birth area before establishing a new home range.
A study conducted by Dr. Chris Rosenberry and others in Maryland provided some interesting findings. During this study, they captured and radio-collared 75 male whitetails ranging from six to 18 months of age. Of these, 51 were followed until death or the end of the study. Of these, 70 percent dispersed from the 3,300-acre study area with half dispersing more than 3.7 miles.
Dispersal distance varied greatly from 1.2 to 36 miles. A couple of these young bucks even swam a mile-wide river during dispersal.
A similar study conducted by Dr. Harry Jacobson and others in Mississippi reported that 42 percent of the 52 male whitetails captured as fawns died in excess of three miles from their original capture site. A Florida study by John Kilgo and others reported that all seven male fawns captured and followed in their study dispersed from their original capture area by 18 months of age.
Interestingly, the Jacobson study found that once the young bucks had dispersed, they generally remained within their new home range until death. In their study, 60 percent of bucks captured at two years of age or older died within one mile of their capture site and none died more than three miles from their original capture site.
Collectively, these studies show that a majority of bucks between 6-18 months of age will disperse some distance from their birth area before establishing a new home range. But, once their new home range is established, they will generally remain in this area until death.
These results have significant implications for QDM, especially on small properties.
Implications for small properties
It is believed that dispersal in young male whitetails (and many other mammals) may be a mechanism to prevent inbreeding.
Given that the average dispersal distance of young bucks in these studies was 1-4 miles, this means that even properties 3,000 acres and larger are potentially losing the majority of the button bucks produced on their properties. To a large degree, protecting button bucks on your property increases the number of bucks for the "neighborhood," but may do little to increase the number that will mature on your property.
This emphasizes the need for a cooperative approach to QDM. Since the button bucks being produced by your neighbors may be "your" adult bucks of tomorrow, the extent to which your neighbors protect their young bucks is at least as important as how well the hunters on your property protect theirs.
This also provides a possible explanation for why some properties that consistently pass all button bucks and yearling bucks never observe an increase in the number that reach 2.5 years of age or older. It could simply be that the young bucks passed on your property disperse to your neighbors and are harvested there.
In other words, your neighbors are not only harvesting their button bucks and yearling bucks, they are harvesting yours as well.
Many hunters practicing QDM fail to observe significant increases in body weight or antler development of yearling bucks despite monumental increases in high-quality forage through food plots and intensive habitat management. It is possible that the yearling bucks observed on your property actually spent their lives on your neighbor's property, where the habitat quality was lower, and only recently dispersed to your property.
Understanding dispersal
The average dispersal distance of young bucks is 1-4 miles, this means that even properties 3,000 acres and larger are potentially losing the majority of the bucks produced on their properties.
While dispersal is a common occurrence in whitetail deer populations, the causes for it are not fully understood. A study conducted by Stefan Holzenbein and Dr. R. Larry Marchinton in Georgia revealed that dispersal of young bucks was greatly reduced if the buck's mother was harvested prior to dispersal. Prior to this study, it was believed that adult bucks in the area were responsible for forcing young bucks to leave their birth area.
The Holzenbein study monitored 34 buck fawns divided into two groups — 19 that were left with their mothers (non-orphans) and 15 whose mothers were harvested or removed (orphans). The results were surprising.
By 30 months of age, 87 percent of the non-orphans had dispersed from their birth areas, but only nine percent of the orphans had left theirs. In addition, the non-orphans died at more than twice the rate of the orphans.
They reasoned that dispersing bucks were less aware of their new surroundings and more likely to succumb to harvest by hunters as well as death from predation, accidents and other mortality factors.
This was supported by the Rosenberry study, which revealed that only 36 percent of yearling bucks that dispersed survived their first hunting season, whereas 66 percent of those that did not disperse survived.
The primary reason for death of the dispersers in this study was harvest by hunters on surrounding properties that were not practicing QDM.
The Rosenberry study also revealed another possible dispersal mechanism. They found that dispersers were more likely to associate with other yearling bucks and participate in breeding season behaviors more often than non-dispersers.
In addition, dispersers tended to be more subordinate in these interactions. They concluded that sexual competition among yearling bucks was a potential explanation for dispersal. Given that the social structure of a deer population may be affected by age structure (buck and doe), sex ratio, density, habitat quality, and more, it's not surprising that these studies reported different dispersal mechanisms.
Most deer researchers agree that dispersal in whitetail deer coincides with changes in a young buck's social position within the herd. In simple terms, yearling bucks are social outcasts recently expelled from their own family group and excluded from joining other family groups or associating with older males. Often, the only members of the herd that will "befriend" them are other yearling bucks, buck fawns, and occasionally yearling does. The actual dispersal "trigger" is likely a complex interaction of social pressures within a deer herd.
Reducing dispersal on your property
A study conducted in Georgia revealed that dispersal of young bucks was greatly reduced if the buck's mother was harvested prior to dispersal.
Given these findings, is there anything that can be done to reduce dispersal of button bucks on your property?
The Holzenbein study suggests that harvesting adult does with button bucks at their side may increase the number that remain on your hunting area and potentially reach maturity there.
It is believed that dispersal in young male whitetails (and many other mammals) may be a mechanism to prevent inbreeding. In other words, it prevents sons from breeding with their mothers, sisters, and other related females.
Given this, will preventing natural dispersal produce negative genetic impacts within your deer herd?
While no one can say for sure, it is not believed to be a problem, especially in areas with relatively high deer populations and high degrees of "genetic mixing" from deer on surrounding properties.
Now, back to Billy.
Should club members fine Billy for harvesting the button buck and maybe even expel him from the club? Not necessarily. Billy has demonstrated a willingness to harvest "antlerless" deer and this should be commended.
Often, reducing the total deer density on a property is the most important goal, even if a few button bucks are taken in the process.
The worst approach a QDM club can take is to make penalties for harvesting button bucks so severe that too few antlerless deer are harvested.
Should the club continue to aggressively protect button bucks? Of course, not all button bucks disperse and even those that do will help improve surrounding deer herds.
Additionally, buck fawns (doe fawns as well), provide useful data on habitat quality and herd condition. Because fawns grow rapidly their first year, their body weight is one of the best indicators of changes in habitat quality.
If penalties are too severe, the chances that these deer will not be reported or included in the harvest data are increased. As such, penalties, if imposed, should be sufficient to encourage hunters to look carefully before making harvest decisions, but not so severe that they refrain from harvest altogether or do not report their "mistakes."
The best approach is to provide the proper training and educational resources to your hunters to enable selective antlerless harvest decisions. Most importantly, target your efforts to protect button bucks and yearling bucks not just on your property, but on all properties within possible dispersal distance — at least four miles. Otherwise, the success of your QDM program may be negatively impacted.
02-26-2004, 10:00 AM
#4
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: NY
Posts: 4,668
RE: VERY interesting article on QDM
I would never have guessed the ratio of bucks that leave their birthplace was that high.
I also wouldn't have thought killing the mother would cause them to stay...........and therefore live much longer then the ones who leave apparently.
This article has a lot of points that seem to go against the logic many use for practicing QDM..........especially on small plots. Even though the author considers 3,000 acres to be small [
]
Most people I have spoken to that think they are practicing QDM would say they don't want ANY young bucks killed because they believe they will still be there 4 years down the road with nice head gear.
I guess not.
More shocking to me was the statements that most bucks that grow old on your land will have come from other areas so your quality of bucks is largely dependent on what slips past your neighbors.
Very interesting.
I also wouldn't have thought killing the mother would cause them to stay...........and therefore live much longer then the ones who leave apparently.
This article has a lot of points that seem to go against the logic many use for practicing QDM..........especially on small plots. Even though the author considers 3,000 acres to be small [
]Most people I have spoken to that think they are practicing QDM would say they don't want ANY young bucks killed because they believe they will still be there 4 years down the road with nice head gear.
I guess not.
More shocking to me was the statements that most bucks that grow old on your land will have come from other areas so your quality of bucks is largely dependent on what slips past your neighbors.
Very interesting.
02-26-2004, 10:22 AM
#5
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Inverness, MS
Posts: 3,982
RE: VERY interesting article on QDM
More shocking to me was the statements that most bucks that grow old on your land will have come from other areas so your quality of bucks is largely dependent on what slips past your neighbors.
I'm more concerned with keeping the does in check, providing plenty of food, and ensuring proper cover. Those things will ensure you have bucks.
02-26-2004, 10:44 AM
#6
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Heaven IA USA
Posts: 2,597
RE: VERY interesting article on QDM
It is always interesting to read about the lifestyles of the racked and infamous. 
Good read indeed...
It seems like everything in life revolves around a female of some type. [8D] Other studies have shown that the does (that survive) play a major role in making the button bucks disperse. In other words they push most of the surviving button bucks out of their home area. Now in addition, we are told if we harvest the mother of the button buck the odds are better that he will stick around. Six of one, half dozen of the other. The bottom line is that the final result is the same. Either way it makes a stong case for controlling those female numbers when possible.
Good read indeed...
It seems like everything in life revolves around a female of some type. [8D] Other studies have shown that the does (that survive) play a major role in making the button bucks disperse. In other words they push most of the surviving button bucks out of their home area. Now in addition, we are told if we harvest the mother of the button buck the odds are better that he will stick around. Six of one, half dozen of the other. The bottom line is that the final result is the same. Either way it makes a stong case for controlling those female numbers when possible.
02-26-2004, 10:51 AM
#7
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: NY
Posts: 4,668
RE: VERY interesting article on QDM
That's a very good question double creek.............I doubt many people out there own plots of 3,000 acres or bigger (sure some do) so this study relates directly to the "average" hunter or club trying to practice QDM.
It appears some of the current logic may indeed be based more on perception then scientific facts.
Just think of what this means to a bunch of regular guys trying to "manage" a 300 acre plot for bigger bucks. What chance do they have if you can't even expect the young bucks to stay within 3,000 acres??
They in fact are raising and stocking the neighbors with a large percent of bucks to kill...............which in essence is the OPPOSITE goal of QDM.
The items you mentioned sure seem even more important when considering the article states many bucks that grow old on your land will be imports................your place better be attractive to the wandering bucks or they will most likely pass right through.
This article really seems to have made a previously basic concept..............pretty darn complex.
We will see I guess.
It appears some of the current logic may indeed be based more on perception then scientific facts.
Just think of what this means to a bunch of regular guys trying to "manage" a 300 acre plot for bigger bucks. What chance do they have if you can't even expect the young bucks to stay within 3,000 acres??
They in fact are raising and stocking the neighbors with a large percent of bucks to kill...............which in essence is the OPPOSITE goal of QDM.
The items you mentioned sure seem even more important when considering the article states many bucks that grow old on your land will be imports................your place better be attractive to the wandering bucks or they will most likely pass right through.
This article really seems to have made a previously basic concept..............pretty darn complex.
We will see I guess.
02-26-2004, 10:56 AM
#8
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: South Central Wisconsin
Posts: 1,007
RE: VERY interesting article on QDM
1 sq. mile = 644 acres 3,000 acres = 4.65 square miles obviously the person that wrote this didn't realize this well known fact before saying that by moving 1-4 miles MOST bucks will leave a 3,000 acre ranch. Remember, deer don't use fences or property lines as boundarys. Just because a deer was born in the NW corner of the ranch doesn't mean he won't be in the SE corner for his new homerange, and those in the SE move to the NW.
So some of your button bucks move a mile or two away? Others will move into your area. We are talking 1 1/2 year old bucks, the little six and eights that QDM people don't shoot.Other studies have shown that mature bucks (3 years and older) have home ranges of over three miles and may travel anywhere at anytime within that home range. Mature buck home ranges also overlap quite extensively so by letting bucks mature, there will always be some in and around your property, you might not harvest them, but if you let them grow, they will be around. If you shoot them because you are afraid they will "run away" to someone elses land, they will not. This study also didn't mention much about the rut (when most people hunt) and how bucks will travel over 10 miles from their home range to find receptive does. This may bring them right past your stand.
So some of your button bucks move a mile or two away? Others will move into your area. We are talking 1 1/2 year old bucks, the little six and eights that QDM people don't shoot.Other studies have shown that mature bucks (3 years and older) have home ranges of over three miles and may travel anywhere at anytime within that home range. Mature buck home ranges also overlap quite extensively so by letting bucks mature, there will always be some in and around your property, you might not harvest them, but if you let them grow, they will be around. If you shoot them because you are afraid they will "run away" to someone elses land, they will not. This study also didn't mention much about the rut (when most people hunt) and how bucks will travel over 10 miles from their home range to find receptive does. This may bring them right past your stand.
02-26-2004, 10:57 AM
#9
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Inverness, MS
Posts: 3,982
RE: VERY interesting article on QDM
I'm no expert, but I believe that a buck, first and foremost wants plenty of cover, with appropriate escape routes, etc, he wants food, and during the rut he wants does. I believe in controlling the cover either by planting trees(pine thickets) or using select cutting to thicken up the ground cover. Then comes food, for the most part, in my neck of woods, food is plentiful, everywhere, we don't get snow, so winter is not hard on our deer. So... its hard to attract deer to your land based on food alone, cover is the deciding factor.
I don't get too caught up in antler restrictions, I let obviously young bucks walk and once a deer reaches 3 1/2, he's fair game. If I had several thousand acres to play with things may be different.
I don't get too caught up in antler restrictions, I let obviously young bucks walk and once a deer reaches 3 1/2, he's fair game. If I had several thousand acres to play with things may be different.
02-26-2004, 11:00 AM
#10
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: NY
Posts: 4,668
RE: VERY interesting article on QDM
ORIGINAL: Antler Eater
Either way it makes a stong case for controlling those female numbers when possible.
Either way it makes a stong case for controlling those female numbers when possible.
This article brings up more then one catch 22.
How about when we hear so much about genetics in the "herd". This article shows those genetics will be spread up to 36 miles away............and it's thought that the primary goal of the does pushing the bucks away is to AVOID in breeding. None of that goes along with current views on letting those big bucks breed with as many does as possible to pass on his genes..........then harvest him when he has planted enough seeds.
I have heard so many times that in order to see bigger and better bucks it's simple.........all you do is not shoot the young ones.
Guess not.
Wow.
