RE: quality deer management?
 

That is some good info, Alloutdoors. I agree with Cman that it really is a nice change having a legitimate question and a well-written and informative response that we can all benefit from. I'm planning to save that info for future reference too.
I also found the info on aging bucks using some general rack "look-fors" to be pretty interesting.
Thanks! :)

RE: quality deer management?
 

alloutdoors,

That was an impressive response indeed. I appreciate you taking the time to share your knowledge. I also feel like it's one of the best responses that I have ever read on this forum. I have a question though. I have heard many other people mention how bucks get a Roman nose, sagging jowels, their neck meets their chest, and they start to get sway back as they get 4 years and older. Do you consider these to be accurate ways to judge the age of a deer on the hoof? I realize these would be next to impossible to judge on a deer in a skinning rack but how about on the hoof? Thanks

RE: quality deer management?
 

alloutdoors,

I agree with everyone else that was an excellent reply. Would your ageing techniques apply in the South where deer tend to be a lot smaller?
the pictures you posted of the 2 1/2 year old bucks would be considered a real trophy in my area.

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RE: quality deer management?
 

alloutdoors, I am just west of you in the Rochester area. Shoot me an email sometime I would really like to talk to you. [email protected] Maybe we could swap some ideas as we are in similar areas and as it seems in similar situations.
Thanks. Tim Kent

RE: quality deer management?
 

Alloutdoors, I've got one little point to make counter to what you're saying. Realistically, a 1:1 ratio of bucks to does or bulls to cows (if we're talking elk) is very rarely achieved even in a nonhunted population. Most wild ungulate populations will arrive, sans hunting, at a ratio between 4 and 8 males per 10 females. First reason, in fact, it is rather more common for the birth ratios to favor females over males. (For instance, here in western MT, for the past decade, elk fetus studies have shown a 38:62 ratio of males to females.) It's been shown scientifically that deer populations under carrying capacity will spit out more does than bucks in the fawn population, and that populations over carrying capacity will spit out more bucks than does. Secondly, males suffer a greatly higher natural mortality rate than females even without hunting. This extra mortality largely rises from the fact that the rut is pushed up against winter, so the males are worn to a frazzle going into winter. Secondly, as the male:female ratio rises toward 1:1, you can get significant battle mortality during the rut.

I'm not at all opposed to QDM, but we need to understand that a true 1:1 ratio is really not natural. Thus, it may be impossible to attain, and may be undesirable to attain.

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RE: quality deer management?
 

I extremely agree with all others....that your explanation of QDM is second to none. I've read many, many articles of the subject and have learned less than what I've just read. Great response!!

One more thing that I'd like to add, please correct me if I'm wrong, that I don't think you posted or maybe I missed it......Is that by having a ratio that is at or near 1:1, along with the rut being a bit earlier and more intense....the bigger, "more dominant" bucks will be doing the majority of the breeding. Thus, passing on probably the best genes out in the woods. Less doe means that the insubordinate(sp?) bucks will have less of a chance to breed doe. Adding to the point of having or creating a better/stronger deer herd.

I hope that I explained that well enough.

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RE: quality deer management?
 

Excellent answer on the gentics and breeding and not dependent on age. Great info. Alloutdoors.