Bad Genetics
#1
Bad Genetics
The other day i saw something i didnt want to see. I seen a mature deer, with about 1ft. to 1 1/2ft. main beams (stickin straight up), with a fork on one side and a spike on the other. OK its a full grown deer with a three point rack, im praying that he didnt matewith my does. Because my friend said that he has 60 acres to hunt/manage, and he said that all his deer are diformed. He has 3yr. to 4 yearold spikes, 3 points, 5points, and buttons. I plan to take that 3 point as soon as season comes back.
#2
RE: Bad Genetics
alot of my bucks dont get passed decent sized 8 pointers no matter how many b-days you give them, a whole bunch stay small 6 pointers till 3.5 or later. If you dont manage the bad genetic deer they can take over
#5
RE: Bad Genetics
Most places - a problem like this is nutrition - not "bad genetics" usually.
If your area is like a lot of others in the south - then you have a lot of deer.Add to a high deer population, a couple droughty years in a row - and you have a stressed deer herd. High deer densities can lead to all kinds of problems, but usually genetics are the last to actually effect a herd's antler genetic makeup. Probably your best course of action is to take as many does as possible - and hope for some rain in 2008!
Not everyone will agree with me - trying to convince people of this is sometimes hard to do. You get 20" of Rain this summer - and that "3 point" will probably be an 8 point come fall.
FH
If your area is like a lot of others in the south - then you have a lot of deer.Add to a high deer population, a couple droughty years in a row - and you have a stressed deer herd. High deer densities can lead to all kinds of problems, but usually genetics are the last to actually effect a herd's antler genetic makeup. Probably your best course of action is to take as many does as possible - and hope for some rain in 2008!
Not everyone will agree with me - trying to convince people of this is sometimes hard to do. You get 20" of Rain this summer - and that "3 point" will probably be an 8 point come fall.
FH
#6
RE: Bad Genetics
Well there was a small drought at the end of last year, but we are getting plenty of rain with all these storms we've been getting. I hope what you said about the rain is true. I would like to see some of those smaller deer turn into 8 points.
#7
RE: Bad Genetics
I agree with Farm Hunter. Thin the herd a little, maybe get some supplemental nutrition and see what happens. If it is the genetics, maybe he got that gene from his momma, the doe. He could have a recessive gene for perfect 6X6 racks that he could pass along if he mates with a doe who also has that gene. You never know. I would hesitate to wipe out all inferior bucks. Thin the does out first.