Deer Hunting 2010

[Ron Scott]

Lorax,

Congratulations on the bow kill. Very nice buck.

[sandhills]

I didn't mean to give the wrong impression, I agree totally with Texas Ranger I've had a deer permit since I was 15 and I think I've filled 6 tags (I'm 37 now).  Two years ago was my nephews first deer hunt and on opening morning his dad, himself and I were all hunting in the same place when I had a really nice buck walk out in front of me.  My nephew was in a stand with his dad about a quarter mile away, thought I could push him past them and give him a shot but didn't work out.  It easily would have been the biggest I'd ever shot and was only 20 or so yards away but hey it was opening morning at dawn and who wants to end the season that early?  My nephew shot another nice one as I was trying to work the one I saw towards him so he was fit to be tied and everybody was happy.  Neither me or my BIL fired a shot that season and that's one of my most memorable seasons yet.  But Patty I still have dibs on Jeff getting a Nebraska deer first

[beenthere]

Been very quiet the last week possibly due to the bluebird weather.

But the bow hunter in this article is pleased with his hunt. Talk of it being a record.

http://www.jsonline.com/sports/outdoors/106829508.html

[Jeff]

I've never shot a buck on my property, so since there are not any deer in which we can practice QDM with, I've decided if given a chance, will shoot the first legal buck I see. This in no way increases my next to nothing odds of getting a deer.

[celliott]

I've never shot a buck on my property, so since there are not any deer in which we can practice QDM with, I've decided if given a chance, will shoot the first legal buck I see. This in no way increases my next to nothing odds of getting a deer.

Jeff, we're pretty much in the same boat here in VT. We'll always take the first legal buck.  And there isnt alot of deer either. The state enacted antler restrictions a few years ago (can't take spikehorns) and there always praising the regulation saying everyone keeps taking bigger deer.  I personally haven't noticed, and don't really care for the restrictions.  My Grandfather, a wise man, has an interesting opinion on the antler restriction, and maybe someone here can comment more on it.

He believes that with the antler restriction, you can detract good genes from the genetic pool.  For example, if you pass up a 2 year old spike, but take a 2 year old 4 point, the 4 point 2 year old has better genetics, correct? and now that 4 point is out of the gene pool but the 2 year old spike, with worse genetics (antlerwise) is still in the gene pool. Does this make sense to anyone? opinions and experiences with antler restrictions in other states?
Opening weekend of rifle season is this weekend in Vermont  i'm still excited

[WH_Conley]

I agree with Grandpa.

[SwampDonkey]

Those are some nice deer. We don't have many deer around here, never did have high numbers in my area. Lots of moose instead. But, our deer numbers in the northern part of the province are way low and pretty much none on the far northern end. When I was a kid there were herds of at least 50 together in the deep woods. All the major streams and lakes where opened up with deer paths, it was nice to go fishing by taking those paths down to your fishing hole. And this has all pretty much ended by taking away the older softwood forest by clear cut harvesting. The old guides and hunters predicted this and warned them 25-30 years ago. You know what? They blame it on the winters and predation. That part of their environment hasn't changed for long before my time and according to the frost hardiness maps, it ain't changed at least since the 60's. According to the Al Gores it warming up, but I don't know where they were standing when they made that reading.   Also, the deer on the upper Tobique and smaller arteries of the Mirimachi all migrated down stream in the harshest winters. You go up the Tobique now and all the deer are along the river in private woodlots and you could possibly see 10 to 40 deer in a herd. You go outside the settlement and you won't find a deer.

[gary]

I've never shot a buck on my property, so since there are not any deer in which we can practice QDM with, I've decided if given a chance, will shoot the first legal buck I see. This in no way increases my next to nothing odds of getting a deer.

Jeff, we're pretty much in the same boat here in VT. We'll always take the first legal buck.  And there isnt alot of deer either. The state enacted antler restrictions a few years ago (can't take spikehorns) and there always praising the regulation saying everyone keeps taking bigger deer.  I personally haven't noticed, and don't really care for the restrictions.  My Grandfather, a wise man, has an interesting opinion on the antler restriction, and maybe someone here can comment more on it.

He believes that with the antler restriction, you can detract good genes from the genetic pool.  For example, if you pass up a 2 year old spike, but take a 2 year old 4 point, the 4 point 2 year old has better genetics, correct? and now that 4 point is out of the gene pool but the 2 year old spike, with worse genetics (antlerwise) is still in the gene pool. Does this make sense to anyone? opinions and experiences with antler restrictions in other states?
Opening weekend of rifle season is this weekend in Vermont  i'm still excited

What you are forgetting about genetics is that 50% of it comes from the mother. A deer that is only 2 years old is not a mature deer. A mature deer is about 4.5 years old.  The 2 year old spike could have been born later in the year than the 2 year old 4 point. Here in Pennslyvania where I hunt a buck has to have 4 points on one side to be legal other parts of the state it only has to have 3 points. One of those points can be a brow tine if it is 1 inch long. The deer biologist that started these antler restrictions here had to have 24 hour armed bodygaurds for himself and his family and he had to wear a bullet proof vest in public. Then we ran him out of the state. Just mention Gary Alt to any Pa deer hunter and watch out for thier reaction. If you want to learn more about antler restrictions or how genetics affect antler growth go to this site Hunting Pa.com. Be warned this these people get worked up about this stuff.

[Magicman]

A 1 year old spike buck has the same genes that he would have when/if he was an 8 year old monster.  Genes don't change with age.  I sometimes wonder where some of the Biologist went to school and what they were smoking.

I don't shoot young bucks, but their genetics are not different just because they are young.

I realize that I am lucky in that I regularly see several bucks during each day's hunt.  That's why I don't shoot very often.  I just enjoy sitting, relaxing, and watching.   

[Jeff]

My believe comes from talking with two different individuals over the years that own deer hunting preserves that I built websites for.  I think a spike buck has a pretty good chance of becoming a big buck. I do not fall for that once a spike always a spike.  The breeders I know say that the male genetics is only a piece of the puzzle and that inferior male genes can be overcome by the other determining factors.  The doe's genetics is a major factor. Both these breeders say that they put the Doe as a more important factor then the fathering buck.  Nutrition they say is the number one factor in the quality and size of antlers. Then you have environment. Environment includes things like climate, competition for nutritional resources and other heath hazards.

I'm a firm beleiver if you leave the smaller bucks to grow, you will have better bucks. In my case, I've chose for one time only to take what ever legal buck I might have a chance for if presented with an opportunity. If I don't the predators will.

[celliott]

Ok, maybe I dont know a whole lot about deer genetics  I wasnt saying once a spike always a spike, I dont believe that either. I was talking about 2 deer, same age, but different rack sizes.
I can imagine that hunters would be outraged in Vermont if they enacted antler restrictions like those in PA. There was alot of uproar and discussion about the law they have now.  There just isnt alot of deer around here, and I personally haven't noticed the deer getting any bigger. I'd say the greater majority of the bucks taken are barely legal, just over the restrictions.  You can easily go a whole season here without seeing a buck. I have for a few years, and I'm out in the woods nearly everyday I can be.....

[beenthere]

Hunters were in an uproar in CO when they removed the spike bull elk as a legal "bull". Letting those spikes go another year has apparently improved the entire lot of large bulls. Seems the second year those spikes get to be 4x's.  

We have had volunteer deer management areas where hunters pledged to shoot only bucks that had horns reaching beyond their ears. Made for some awesome buck racks. Then these guys started buying bucks from farms to improve the genetics, and brought in the CWD disease (that is the assumption anyway).

We are in an area here in S. WI that now has the CWD disease, and the intention of the DNR management plan is to wipe out the deer herd as much as possible. They are doing it by requiring a doe be shot in order to earn a tag to shoot a buck (3" spike or bigger).  3" spikes are healthy fawns and rarely sometimes yearlings. The plan seems to be working. Lots of bucks around moving at night. Very few doe are seen.
The ratio of bucks to doe that I've caught on camera the past three months has been about 1 doe for 16 bucks of various sizes (not counting the button buck fawns). Still waiting for a rut to happen with all these bucks, but seems with so few doe that the bucks have nothing to chase.
How does one dress up like a doe?  

This dude showed up on camera a short while ago. I'd like to meet him during the day.

 

[Paul_H]

Beenthere,

I still get a kick out this "Daffy Buck" you posted last week.

[beenthere]

 

You'd look like that too with a pear stuck in back o your mouth.  

I've been known to cut 'em up with an axe a little bit so no one chokes. Would hate to have to do Norm's Patty-hugging maneuver on a buck with those horns.

I kicked this one out of its bed this afternoon at 3 pm. Was about 12 yards from it, and scared the jeepers outta me. Snorted as it jumped, then stopped and looked back at me while it snorted some more. Acted like he didn't like to be scared either. 

[Jeff]

Thats pretty gory business chopping a deer up into bits with an axe 

[WH_Conley]

That would keep them from choking though.

[Patty]

Tough love I guess. 

[Weekend_Sawyer]

 Getting ready for a week and a half of deer camp 2010!


The week before Thanksgiving is Bow hunting and turkey hunting. The week of is gun season.

[Bibbyman]

I'm about afraid to go outside.  Gunfire from every direction.  Opening day in Missouri is tomorrow morning and everyone is out this evening practicing or sighting in or something.  Or just ending the early poaching season. 

Back to my bunker.   

[chevytaHOE5674]

Maybe my focus should be coyotes, but legally I cant shoot them during rifle season...

I thought that changed this year and the coyote season was open during the firearm deer season?