Hunting Bucks Only???

[mcgroundstalker]

My turn to "chime-in" Chuckster...  

Deer with drag handles never turned me on. The method used in hunting ANY deer gets my heart rate up. You all know how I hunt. Stated it many times on this site. But let's get down to the brass tax...

You still havn't explained why (leave conservation jargon out of it) you won't kill a doe. If it's not in your heart to do so, well, I respect that. Same for me about tree stands and/or store bought blinds. Anyway, I belive an old doe is alot sharper than any buck. But that's just me.

Gonna state right here that you are a fine fellow and I enjoy your company. Seems to me you are skirting the issue that you opened up. So... Let's have it my friend... Cause I'm hitting the road for The Catskills in the morning to maybe drill a fat old doe and turn her into cutlets.

Thanks For Gettin' My Action Up!

... mike ...    ...

[KentuckyTJ]

Guys, it matters not if your buck to doe ratio is very equal and the smaller bucks do most the breading. The smaller bucks in your area are passing on the same genes as the mature deer they just are young with smaller antlers do to they haven't had time to reach their full potential. Genetics is genetics. Just because a doe is bred by a 1.5 year old 6 pointer doesn't mean the male offspring will carry a small 6 point rack all its life.

The key is your land can only carry so many deer. If you thin the does down to at least a 1 to 1 ratio you will have more and bigger bucks. With more bucks there is a greater chance many more will make it through another year and be larger.

I run trail cameras mostly all year around and I will get 3/1 bucks to doe photos. We keep the does to a minimum. Shoot the does as many as you can legally. I'm here to tell you if you have adequate food, water and bedding cover more bucks will call your place home when you do.

[woodchucker]

Well Mike..... (and everyone else)

I like horns on the wall!!!!!  

Also,and probly the biggest reason, I have NO freezer space!!!!!

I live in a small,cluttered house with my family and we REALLY don't have any room for one. If a buck gives me a good shot and I get him,I still end up giving most of the meat away. Also, Being as I'm only hunting for bucks,does in heat are "Buck Bait" as far as I'm concerned. The best "Buck Lure" you could ever ask for!!!!!  

[joe skipp]

All this QDM...buck to doe ratio...etc....here are my thoughts and I'll keep it quick and simple since I just came in from hunting....by the way...I missed a doe tonight...maybe 27 yds...shot looked good till she turned instead of just ducking....

I bowhunt CT...Jersey...and NY. I have 9 tags. I love eating venison, on good years I will donate 2 does to the Feed The Hungry Program. I'm out there bowhunting to fill my tags, not look pretty or be a "poser" type bowhunter. The loss of habitat has altered the deer herds in quite a few areas making it necessary to control the herds with additional doe tags.

Controlling the buck to doe ratio in the areas we hunt here in NY Chuck is almost non existant. Like Curt...I want to see the results from the PA reports. I have a hard time believing spikes are "ruling the world" in some areas.

I respect every bowhunters choice on what they want to kill. Some reach a stage of their bowhunting life where they settle for nothing but a trophy...or P&Y Buck. Others enjoy filling tags and dining on some fine venison during the winter months. Not shooting does because of the reasons you stated....not sure I agree.

Now...I joke around with Iron Mike Ciccone but he knows I respect the way he has chosen to bowhunt and the goals he sets for himself. If a bowhunter is comfortable with his methods then go for it. If limited freezer space is keeping you from shooting does...then tell Lisa to buy a large freezer for Xmas...LMFAO....

Sorry to ramble but I'm getting hungry...and the wife just called out dinner...Keep The Faith...

[Guru]

TJ, I makes me laugh the amount of people think that about the young deer breeding does.....it's like they really think that if a buck is bred by a forkhorn, he'll only have forkhorn forever bucks...rediculous!

It's all about the genes, like you said...it matters not how old the buck is when he breeds the doe.

Good stuff Joe!

[Plumber]

I have only been huntin trad for 5-6 yrs.My saying is I dont hunt bucks or does I hunt 5-15 yd. shots.I love deer meat. I got to have deer meat.IN Maryland we have a ton of does.My farmer wants to see me wheeling out deer.they eat everything.I leave the bucks for the kids for gun season.dont get me wrong if I see the right deer Iam shootin him.I will take a doe over a scrub buck any day.It is not like we are over run with 150 class deer.So for me to base my season on trying to kill one is just unrealistic

[woodchucker]

Ok now, (Curt, I'm looking for your input here because I value your insight!!! You've hunted more places than I probly ever will,and I respect your experiance!!!) Talking Dominate bucks and "good genes".....

Just what is it that makes a dominate buck "dominate"?????

Is it "Big Antlers" or "Big Attitude"?????

Good genetics are the key in every good deer herd,but is it neccesarily the buck with the biggest horns who is the "Baddest Buck" in the woods??? Over the years I have seen alot of small racked bucks breeding does.Yes they very well could be dominate gene bucks that are not fully grown as well. But,couldn't an average size buck with a "never back down" attitude dominate the deer herd??? Over the years I have also seen a few BIG bucks give ground to a smaller buck,just because the smaller buck wouldn't back down when he shook his head.

Now I'm not saying that Big Bucks are wimps!!!!! Actualy quite the opposite is true,but the only way to get to be "king of the mountain" is to FIGHT your way to the top!!!!!

So,which is it..... Antlers or Attitude?????