Passing on deer for next year

[SomewhereinMapleton]

I think I have a disease and want to know if anybody else has it. I hunt the family farm and try to keep in mind next years deer along with trying to get the "big boy" that is there this year. I pass on does that would possibly bring him in and/or produce more deer next year and I pass on bucks that are smaller than the "big boy". I do this every year and my wife says I'm silly and should just smoke the first sizable deer in my sights. What do you guys think??? Gun season comes around and it's a scramble to get meat in the fridge but during bow it seems I just like "watching and waiting". Tonight I had a nice bodied five point in range but was hesitant to let the arrow fly. I guess I need a shrink, anybody got some ideas as to what I should do???

[Bird33]

If you want to shoot a big deer on your place you ought to shoot some of those does and keep passing on the lesser bucks. The data typically show that if you remove does and create less competition for food you'll get bigger bucks. Let the little bucks grow. That's what I'd do. Don't bother even shooting a buck if you know you won't be satisfied with it. Once you fill that tag you are sure to see a brute and then you'll be kicking yourself.

[mrex]

I think I have a disease and want to know if anybody else has it. I hunt the family farm and try to keep in mind next years deer along with trying to get the "big boy" that is there this year. I pass on does that would possibly bring him in and/or produce more deer next year and I pass on bucks that are smaller than the "big boy". I do this every year and my wife says I'm silly and should just smoke the first sizable deer in my sights. What do you guys think??? Gun season comes around and it's a scramble to get meat in the fridge but during bow it seems I just like "watching and waiting". Tonight I had a nice bodied five point in range but was hesitant to let the arrow fly. I guess I need a shrink, anybody got some ideas as to what I should do???

If your motivation is to get "big boy", then I wouldn't change a thing except I'd be shootin' a few does but I wouldn't do that until after the rut.

Getting close to "big boy" usually takes a lot of "watching and waiting". That's why they call them trophy's!

[mrex]

That’s pretty scary Bird. We posted basically the same thing at about the same time. What’s this forum coming to???:D

[Bird33]

Hey, the crazy thing is that we agree on something! Weird stuff.

[SomewhereinMapleton]

Thanks guys, I guess a doe in the freeze is better than waitng for gun and hoping what's left will do. Next post will be pics of mamma....

[mrex]

Bird - I’d bet if you and I ever sat down over a cold one we’d probably both be surprised at how many things we agree on.;)

[Bowhunter57]

I pass on does that would possibly bring him in and/or produce more deer next year and I pass on bucks that are smaller than the "big boy".
SomewhereinMapleton,
Your statement is true, in part. While this year's doe could produce a nice buck for the following years, at present she is good meat for the freezer. Also, if a doe has a button buck fawn with her, that's the doe to shoot. That button buck fawn has a high probability of remaining in that area, for next year....and the next, etc.

Tonight I had a nice bodied five point in range but was hesitant to let the arrow fly.
Passing on lesser bucks, if it is of good genetics, will become a greater buck in the years to come.

Something else to consider is the property itself. How much good deer management will be wasted, if the joining property owners, the hunters on them or passing through your property, etc.? :rolleyes: In theory, it's a great idea, but it can all be for nothing if the surrounding property owners and their associates allow anything and everything to be shot. :irked:

Good hunting, Bowhunter57

[Hiller]

It's as simple as this, your never going to get a big buck if you shoot the smaller bucks first. However I always usually try to tag a doe within the first week of bow season, to get some meat and to get the edge off for the new season. Thats just what I do, but I would definetly be shooting some
does every year to help keep your ratios in check.
Thanks
Hiller

[OHBOW76]

I agree with the general theme here, shoot some does after the rut. Better even yet if you can take some out with the help of some friends durign muzzleloader. My other suggestion, is if the same stands arent producing year after year its time to move them. You need to have some stands just for taking does and a few stands you only hunt for the big boys durign prime conditions. I know many guys hang too few stands and burn them out by the 3 rd week of archery.

[bowhunter1023]

I like to tag out on the does before the rut because that means there are 2 less does out there to breed which makes more competition. From everything I have read, learned, heard, the ticket to a shorter more compact rut, is keeping things as close to 1:1 as possible.

When the rut is like that, you are bound to see more mature bucks.

[jbrown]

Getting rid of those big does helps you out in a couple ways... one, a mature doe will run off her button buck(s), this is a natural way of eliminating inbreeding in the population... two, ive read studies that suggest young does have a higher probability of yielding buck offspring than older does do. just something to think about. eliminating the does does even out the B:D ratio a bit too. personally i will shoot the first big momma i see, both for meat and to keep those young bucks around.