roymunson
5 year old buck +
I'm blessed to hunt some fantastic ground in Knox County Ohio. It's my favorite place on earth, even without the deer hunting.
I have good folks for neighbors, although we don't share the same goals in the woods and I'm trying to figure out if I'm becoming one of those grouchy old selfish men, or if I'm justified.
I preface all of this by saying, I don't think anyone's breaking the law. So the bottom line is there's nothing to worry about from a legal standpoint.
My buddy and I combine to own about 350 acres. We manage it and try to take 5 year olds off of it.
We have about 5 people that hunt it fairly regularly.
The other day I counted how many people will be in the woods on our property and on property adjoining ours and the number was over 30. 1 neighbor has killed 5 of their 6 bucks already and, although they know they have 2 boone and crockett deer running around, the largest one was a 132" 8 point. There are teen hunters involved there, so I offer some grace there.
So far on our property and the adjoining properties this year 11 bucks have been killed that I know of. 2 were 4 years old and older. the others were the "up and comers" that we'd passed multiple times on our place that scored 125-135" as 3 year olds.
I know no one is breaking the law. But the guy going 5 for 6 before firearms season is feeding deer by the ton. Literally. Last October he told me he was over 14 tons already by mid october.
We feed some, but I'd quit if everyone else did. I feel Ohio's doing a disservice to the next generation of hunter who doesn't know how to find a funnel or a pinch point. I Don't want to kill deer strictly over corn or feed. But he who has the largest yellow pile, gets the deer.
I completely understand climbing that ladder of bigger and more mature bucks. but when you've shot 130" deer 5 straight years, and your ground has the potential to create 150+, don't you at some point get tired of that younger buck? I've had they guy consistently shooting smaller deer say he's frustrated when he got up to the deer that it was so small.
Any ideas on how to help this situation?
Only thing I can think of is 1. Out bait them or 2. Share a ton of pictures and try to convince them to let some of the 3 year olds walk.
Our area is known for big deer. We just need the age to go with it.
I have good folks for neighbors, although we don't share the same goals in the woods and I'm trying to figure out if I'm becoming one of those grouchy old selfish men, or if I'm justified.
I preface all of this by saying, I don't think anyone's breaking the law. So the bottom line is there's nothing to worry about from a legal standpoint.
My buddy and I combine to own about 350 acres. We manage it and try to take 5 year olds off of it.
We have about 5 people that hunt it fairly regularly.
The other day I counted how many people will be in the woods on our property and on property adjoining ours and the number was over 30. 1 neighbor has killed 5 of their 6 bucks already and, although they know they have 2 boone and crockett deer running around, the largest one was a 132" 8 point. There are teen hunters involved there, so I offer some grace there.
So far on our property and the adjoining properties this year 11 bucks have been killed that I know of. 2 were 4 years old and older. the others were the "up and comers" that we'd passed multiple times on our place that scored 125-135" as 3 year olds.
I know no one is breaking the law. But the guy going 5 for 6 before firearms season is feeding deer by the ton. Literally. Last October he told me he was over 14 tons already by mid october.
We feed some, but I'd quit if everyone else did. I feel Ohio's doing a disservice to the next generation of hunter who doesn't know how to find a funnel or a pinch point. I Don't want to kill deer strictly over corn or feed. But he who has the largest yellow pile, gets the deer.
I completely understand climbing that ladder of bigger and more mature bucks. but when you've shot 130" deer 5 straight years, and your ground has the potential to create 150+, don't you at some point get tired of that younger buck? I've had they guy consistently shooting smaller deer say he's frustrated when he got up to the deer that it was so small.
Any ideas on how to help this situation?
Only thing I can think of is 1. Out bait them or 2. Share a ton of pictures and try to convince them to let some of the 3 year olds walk.
Our area is known for big deer. We just need the age to go with it.