We obviously aggressively kill does. However, in doing some rough math while watching too many does a couple weeks back, I roughly figured (on teh conservative side) that we're easily 100-120+ deer per square mile. I want to kill mature bucks is my end goal, but I really enjoy the habitat aspect as well. So while we're doing things to attract deer, at this point, we have too many to hunt mature bucks effectively. It's fun to see them, but we're well above what I feel the capacity should be. So while we try to knock back the numbers (probably a lost cause with only 4 full time hunters on the farm, and 3-6 deer per person due to county restrictions on bag limits) I'd like to also help up the carrying capacity of the land w/ food. We have the bedding and sanctuary. Just seeing if there's anything out there that will up the tonnage that I'd be able to put in the deer that are on our place.
It's frustrating in the same way that having a smoking hot girlfriend is frustrating. You'd like to not have everyone stare at her, but, to be honest, you'd rather have her than the alternative. There, that's my terrible analogy of the day.
Ok, I've just read through this thread. I'm not sure I can understand why you are planting food plots at all. If your objective is to kill mature bucks, you are competing in the wrong arena. With very high deer densities, you are going to be attracting a lot of does and young bucks when you plant attractive food. Will all those does attract mature bucks? Well perhaps for a short period during the rut, but keep in mind that does are usually not a limited resource for bucks in high deer density area. Mature bucks will find their fill of hot does without having to get to the highest concentration areas.
My thought is to compete on security, not food. Your land is way to small to hold mature bucks, especially during the rut. I would consider letting all your fields grow up until they get almost too large for your equipment, and they go in and bushhog a few acres a year flat.
This all presumes your objective really is as stated, shooting mature bucks. I've got different objectives. I'm trying to balance, having an occasional opportunity to shoot a mature buck with introducing new hunters to the sport along with improving heard health, and I'm really on the light side as far as acreage goes even with cooperating (intentionally or not) adjoining properties. We have similar acreage in food plots to you but more total acreage. In recent years, as some of our timber management practices have increased the BCC and I've begun to "rest" some of the food plots. Basically, I'll start with WR & perennial clover and then just let the field go for years. I stop maintaining it and just let nature take its course. They become quite grown up and very weedy. There is a combination of some clover along with a lot of native weeds that are quality food. When they begin to get woody growth , I bushhog and rotate them back into a traditional food plot and rotate another field.
I'm beginning to notice something. Our target for bucks is 3 1/2 and older except for our novice hunters who can shoot anything. So, we have lots of 1 1/2 and 2 1/2 year old bucks running around. I have some stands that can overlook several of my small fields. I'm noticing that during shooting hours the does and 1 1/2 year old bucks seem to prefer those planted fields that have lots of planted food (WR, brassica, clovers, ... or whatever). I'm also noticing that during shooting hours 2 1/2 year old bucks prefer the grown up weed fields.
Why?
I think that does, regardless of age, are tied to the family structure. Fawns and teenagers have accelerated growth and want to be in those open fields where food is everywhere and even mature does will stay with them. I often notice fawns enter the field first and feed for quite a while before mature does enter the field. They function as the canary in the mine for the does. Does will come out when it is a little later closer to dark. By the time a buck has reached 2 1/2, it's growth demands are lessened, and its preference for security is greater. A field full of weeds and diversity will have plenty in it to eat, but it also has more cover than a green field of crops.
To my way of thinking:
Food Plots = See more deer.
Cover & Sanctuary = Shoot more mature bucks.
In low deer density area, one may need food plots to attract the limited number of does in the general area which, in turn, attracts bucks, at least during the rut. In high deer density areas, things are different.
Thanks,
Jack
