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Post by hunter7x on Oct 14, 2008 8:15:40 GMT -5
looks like a year and a half old deer to me.
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Post by hoosieroutdoorsman on Oct 14, 2008 16:22:34 GMT -5
Thanks for the input, out of the group of about 12 deer I got on the trail cam in that patch of woods he is the best looking 1 of the bunch. There are several bucks that have very tiny racks. calling them baskets would be giving them credit, there is a 8 pointer with a major small rack but a big body, from what I know none of the neighboring people around there hunt much. I do want to get the area lined out this year so I can start early and fresh next year with suppliments and such, I think I will leave this guy alone and thin out the comb sized 8 pointer. I have never had private land all to myself to get the opportunity to manage or at least try to, I do appreciate all the pro`s and cons.
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Post by swilk on Oct 14, 2008 17:21:01 GMT -5
How many does are you seeing? If you are trying to make the overall herd healthier and the hunting better I would do my best to evaluate the doe:buck ratio and do whatever was necessary to get it at 2:1 or better.
You arent going to "grow" bigger bucks but you can make your property more desirable to mature deer by providing safe haven bedding areas that you never penetrate. Give those mature deer a place they feel safe and they will flock to it.
Couple a balanced herd with preferred bedding areas and you will dramatically increase your chances of killing a mature buck year after year.
"Culling" a buck or two should be pretty low on your list of things to do.
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Post by powderfinger on Oct 14, 2008 20:23:13 GMT -5
"Cull". Not a word used much in Indiana I suspect. Unless you got a high fence.
All boils down to whether or not you're ready to gut, drag, and process an immature deer.
I myself would not, doe or buck. I'm getting lazy (and fat) in my old age.
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Post by gillgrabber on Oct 14, 2008 20:59:29 GMT -5
I field dressed a deer about 2 hours ago that looked exactly like that guy - nice little 8 point taken by a friend of my Son's. It was his first bow killed buck and he was on cloud nine. I was happy to help him out. Looks like good eatin' to me. I guess it's a decision each hunter will have to make for himself, but I see nothing wrong with taking him.
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Post by pav on Oct 15, 2008 6:11:54 GMT -5
I think you are looking at a young buck with some potential. Nearly impossible to determine what a buck might turn out to be when they are that young. Way too early to consider that deer as a "cull" IMO.
I consider a "cull" buck to mature breeder buck that isn't passing on the type of genetics I'm interested in. Just be careful not to mistake injury growth for genetic growth. A deer with a really good side matched up with a really bad side is more likely the result of an injury. He could be a butt kicker the following year.
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Post by pav on Oct 15, 2008 6:38:30 GMT -5
This is a seven point that we got on trail cam this summer. Impressive deer...but in all reality, a good candidate for a "cull" buck.
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Post by Woody Williams on Oct 15, 2008 7:59:44 GMT -5
PAV, That is a pretty unique looking buck. HUGE brow tines. Yeah, I think I'd "cull him".
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Post by indianahick on Oct 15, 2008 15:11:37 GMT -5
Looks to me like it might weigh in around 145 on the hoof. Can't see any antlers on my PC. Since it appears small I might let it walk depending upon where in the year it is and if I have any does in the freezer. Meat is meat.
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Post by dbd870 on Oct 15, 2008 15:44:36 GMT -5
He's different too - mount him.
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Post by hoosieroutdoorsman on Oct 15, 2008 17:09:44 GMT -5
So far I have only seen 3 bucks and 4 does in the 1 patch of woods, with it being all cropfields surrounding it and only small patches throughout the entire area I imagine the corn fields or fenceline thickets have been their bedding area between travels. I am definately going to take 2 does out of the 1 patch,,have yet to get the trail cam over to the other patch yet,,will do that this weekend, I want to get another trailcam so I can keep it in the 1st patch all the time,,it is early yet and doubt the older bucks are cruising it much yet. This weekend should give me a better idea while I am hunting in the mornings saturday and sunday while the temps are in the mid 30`s like they are forecasting,,hope to see alot and at least get a doe.
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