356
5 year old buck +
This thread continues a three year tradition of attempting to forecast the upcoming deer season.
This is the 8th season on our property, and the doe/buck ratio seems to be much better. So far, all the does are dropping single fawns. The coyotes are out in number. Two target deer survived, and the number of young bucks on camera is encouraging. So, here is my forecast for my 2025 season!
* Early bow season: I am after "Spinster" an old nanny doe that has busted me way too many times. She never has fawns, and is always close to, but not a part of, a family group. 50% chance. After missing her on opening day last year, she never showed up in daylight again. She is back on camera during the day.
* October White Acorn drop: 25% chance of seeing Eleven, my 5 or 6 year old target buck. 35% chance of seeing Dangles, a three year old with an injury. Harvest chance, 10%
* Firearms season: 90% chance that our kids or grandkids will harvest a buck, plus one antlerless.
* Alternative (muzzle loader) season and late season archery: 100% chance of heartbreak based on previous years.
Kids and grandkids: One buck and two antlerless
Me: One anterless, plus a 50% chance of a target buck
Total Harvest at the home property: 4.5
Additionally, I anticipate harvesting one doe at another location, plus one buck (either at home or another property).
Total Harvest at home and other properties: 6

Spinster, my target doe

Eleven, the target buck that shows up on camera each year at the same time/date (always at night). I saw Eleven while hunting on January 12 at about 70 yards during late bow season.
This is the 8th season on our property, and the doe/buck ratio seems to be much better. So far, all the does are dropping single fawns. The coyotes are out in number. Two target deer survived, and the number of young bucks on camera is encouraging. So, here is my forecast for my 2025 season!
* Early bow season: I am after "Spinster" an old nanny doe that has busted me way too many times. She never has fawns, and is always close to, but not a part of, a family group. 50% chance. After missing her on opening day last year, she never showed up in daylight again. She is back on camera during the day.
* October White Acorn drop: 25% chance of seeing Eleven, my 5 or 6 year old target buck. 35% chance of seeing Dangles, a three year old with an injury. Harvest chance, 10%
* Firearms season: 90% chance that our kids or grandkids will harvest a buck, plus one antlerless.
* Alternative (muzzle loader) season and late season archery: 100% chance of heartbreak based on previous years.
Kids and grandkids: One buck and two antlerless
Me: One anterless, plus a 50% chance of a target buck
Total Harvest at the home property: 4.5
Additionally, I anticipate harvesting one doe at another location, plus one buck (either at home or another property).
Total Harvest at home and other properties: 6

Spinster, my target doe

Eleven, the target buck that shows up on camera each year at the same time/date (always at night). I saw Eleven while hunting on January 12 at about 70 yards during late bow season.