Herd management?

[MN Slick]

I agree aging is what matters, I just don't believe it. I know most hunters can pick out 2.5 and most can pick out fully mature old deer. If I showed 100 pics of bucks all from 3.5 to 5.5yrs with no antlers, I don't think a hunter can get 85% accurate age. I do believe 75% of hunters think they can but I would bet against them. To do what they are suggesting you would need to age the difference between 3.5 and 4.5 and 5.5, I bet no. I watch so called experts In QDMA magazines with racks included almost always had 3 years variations when they had racks and had hours to study it and still almost all disagree.

I agree, aging accurately is nearly impossible. We try to put together a history and go from there. Reconyx Buckview software works well for tracking them. The recent uptick of hunting pressure in our areas does not work well for getting the right bucks to 5 years old!!!

 

[Telemark]

corn is less preferred at my place than many of the powders. And not all powders are created equal

Acorn Rage powder has been unbelievably attractive everywhere I've ever set it out. Deer will dig in the ground to lick up the last morsels.

In Ohio, a bag of corn dumped on the ground with Acorn Rage sprinkled on top can be devoured in a single night. But yeah, mostly at night.

In Ontario, where there is no corn, a bale of alfalfa with Acorn Rage sprinkled on top will being in every deer for a mile, including bucks. Also tends to bring them in at night, though I do have photos from as early as 3 pm.