What is old is new again?

[Ohiosam]

Back when I started deer hunting 40 years ago the conventional wisdom was that to shoot a doe was to kill 2 or 3 deer. Passing on does and killing any buck was a way the average hunter could help improve the herd. After awhile The numbers went up and attitudes changed to let the little bucks go and kill does to put meat in the freezer and keep the buck:doe ratio in line and buck quality will improve. After the last 2-3 seasons I’m thinking it’s time to go back to the original mindset.

 

[Sgt Fury]

As the herd numbers go up or down, the number of does allowed to be taken fluxuates. It’s a never ending cycle.

 

[Clay Showalter]

I was just wondering about this. I know if I kill a small buck he won’t have a chance to get bigger, but if I kill a doe how many possible bucks have I killed.

 

[jagermeister]

It just depends where you are and what kind of ground you hunt. If you feel you need more deer, let em walk.

 

[Jackalope]

I was just wondering about this. I know if I kill a small buck he won’t have a chance to get bigger, but if I kill a doe how many possible bucks have I killed.

Well if you figure a doe might live 4 years and will likely have twins year 3&4. That's 6 fawns with a 50/50 shot at being bucks. So a completely none scientific guess is 3. In reality every buck fell out of a does vagina.

 

[Big_Holla]

If you manage your property with the mindset of carrying capacity you should be evaluating what you shoot or don't shoot every year.

 

[Curran]

It just depends where you are and what kind of ground you hunt. If you feel you need more deer, let em walk.

Agreed!