Top States for Mature Buck Harvests

[H20fwler]

Agree ^^^^^^

Over 50% of hunters around here will knock down the first buck that comes by, usually a 1 1/2 year old even if they have a chance at an older bigger buck by holding out.
And I think about the whole culture of deer hunters want to kill 150's or better. All the TV shows and pod cast hunters have made it about inches no matter what.

 

[Mortenson]

Ive been running cams in IL since 2012 and most likely have zero pics of a 150" 3 yr old. Lol

 

[BenA]

Most will shoot the larger antlered buck regardless of age. The age really doesn't factor in until you start seeing what deer top out at antler-wise in an area. Then, you start wanting to see what they can turn into. When you're in an area where you can keep shooting mature bucks and they just maybe sometimes top out at 150, you start looking for somewhere else. If you start going to the Midwest from one of these areas and see bucks that you don't see where you're from, it takes some getting used to. Heck, just seeing deer takes some getting used to.

 

[Howboutthemdawgs]

Ive been running cams in IL since 2012 and most likely have zero pics of a 150" 3 yr old. Lol

Thank you. The chances of a 150 3 year old are such a statistic anomaly that they can’t hardly be factored into any management decision

 

[SwampCat]

On my four hundred acres I probably have five or so 4.5 to 6.5 year old deer. That age deer is not uncommon here. The largest of those is probably a 140” deer. He was bigger last year, but has almost lost his g4’s - which is common for deer here - after 4.5 to start losing points.

 

[Howboutthemdawgs]

My camera appetite is pretty low so I’m probably not casting a wide enough net but on my 650 i probably have 4 identified that would be in that range. I’m probably pushing a higher gross score but mature bucks per 100 acres You would have me beat

 

[Brian662]

Most will shoot the larger antlered buck regardless of age. The age really doesn't factor in until you start seeing what deer top out at antler-wise in an area. Then, you start wanting to see what they can turn into. When you're in an area where you can keep shooting mature bucks and they just maybe sometimes top out at 150, you start looking for somewhere else. If you start going to the Midwest from one of these areas and see bucks that you don't see where you're from, it takes some getting used to. Heck, just seeing deer takes some getting used to.

100%. Saw it last year on my co-owned farm from my buddy.

 

[Turkish]

I know the NDA doesn't get a lot of love here. I like some of their stuff, and then there's some, I don't. I had posted a good bit on their old forum, but then stopped a good while before the fallout that left people with the bad feelings they have about the organization. But, they've been coming out with a top list of states that they claim have the best success rates on mature bucks. Their data is just wrong, and I'm not sure why they keep posting it like it's the truth. I know for a fact that two of their "top states" only receive that honor because they are basing it on data from managed properties. Those states don't require the vast majority of regular hunters to divulge any age type data for bucks or even data that could be used to separate buck ages in any fashion whatsoever. They only require it for properties who have signed up with the states to manage for deer, and almost every one of those is doing some type of buck harvest restrictions. When you only report the data from people who are actively managing for older bucks, guess what the results will show? It just aggravates me that they would keep reporting data from managed properties and claim that is representative of the total state harvest. I would have probably joined, but can't bring myself to do that when they will report findings they know good and well to be not accurate. They have some good people working with them, but they're going to keep ruining themselves.

Here's the latest "report": https://deerassociation.com/the-10-best-states-for-mature-buck-harvest-have-a-new-leader/

As a MS hunter, I’ve rolled my eyes at this headline the last couple of years that it’s been reported. I knew it was bogus but didn’t realize how until you explained it. Makes sense. Not many DMAP hunters are going to all that trouble to shoot bucks less than 3.5.

With that said, the buck quality in the state is on the way up. Large pockets of really good hunting. There are gross Booners within 2 miles of my place every year. Just not sure I can compete with the feeders.

 

[Brian662]

Ive been running cams in IL since 2012 and most likely have zero pics of a 150" 3 yr old. Lol

Sorry to hear that, must be some 140's that are 3? Hell, we have those in MN.

Thank you. The chances of a 150 3 year old are such a statistic anomaly that they can’t hardly be factored into any management decision

I disagree, but regardless it isn't a "management decision". I'll rephrase my original question to a 140" 3 year old vs a 120" 5 year old. 90% or probably more are taking the 140".

 

[Howboutthemdawgs]

Sorry to hear that, must be some 140's that are 3? Hell, we have those in MN.


I disagree, but regardless it isn't a "management decision". I'll rephrase my original question to a 140" 3 year old vs a 120" 5 year old. 90% or probably more are taking the 140".

Sorry I didn’t see the original comment on this. I was just referencing morts comment. I’m sure it’s possible. Especially in your neck of the woods. But you are in the promised land for antler growth

 

[Bill]

Nope, that list is 100% accurate because MO. is not on it.

I like that they left us out for once.

 

[Catscratch]

I think it adds up to what you're used to. If you grew up shooting 110's, then getting a very rare 150 is awesome. If you grew up shooting 140's then a 150 is great, but maybe not that great because there are likely 170's in that area.

The internet has jaded many. People who should be happy with getting the largest or oldest deer in their area are acutely aware that other places routinely grow much larger, so in comparison they might feel their absolutely great 150 isnt that great.
Clear as mud?

 

[SwampCat]

I think it adds up to what you're used to. If you grew up shooting 110's, then getting a very rare 150 is awesome. If you grew up shooting 140's then a 150 is great, but maybe not that great because there are likely 170's in that area.

The internet has jaded many. People who should be happy with getting the largest or oldest deer in their area are acutely aware that other places routinely grow much larger, so in comparison they might feel their absolutely great 150 isnt that great.
Clear as mud?

And those who hunt in an area where a 150 is a once in a lifetime deer may think that is more of an accomplishment than going to Saskatchewan and killing a 170 and a 210 - like a couple guys I know. That is kind of how I look at it. I feel not all 150’s are created equal. I feel a 150 in my area is a lot more impressive than a 150 in IL, IA, or KS. In my opinion - and we all know what that is worth - all deer are not created equal.

 

[Catscratch]

And those who hunt in an area where a 150 is a once in a lifetime deer may think that is more of an accomplishment than going to Saskatchewan and killing a 170 and a 210 - like a couple guys I know. That is kind of how I look at it. I feel not all 150’s are created equal. I feel a 150 in my area is a lot more impressive than a 150 in IL, IA, or KS. In my opinion - and we all know what that is worth - all deer are not created equal.

Agreed!

 

[Native Hunter]

My deer hunting has changed so very much. When I was young it was shoot the first buck. Now I’m routinely passing 150 inch bucks, and this year I may even pass a 170 ten point while waiting for that big freak I’ve been posting pics of. Our bow and senior crossbow opens tomorrow morning. We may get to see if I can really pass a 170. You guys can be betting with each other on it. I don’t want in the betting, because I don’t trust myself.

 

[SwampCat]

My deer hunting has changed so very much. When I was young it was shoot the first buck. Now I’m routinely passing 150 inch bucks, and this year I may even pass a 170 ten point while waiting for that big freak I’ve been posting pics of. Our bow and senior crossbow opens tomorrow morning. We may get to see if I can really pass a 170. You guys can be betting with each other on it. I don’t want in the betting, because I don’t trust myself.

What do you attribute the improvement in the number and size of bucks in your area?

 

[Native Hunter]

What do you attribute the improvement in the number and size of bucks in your area?

A lot of it has to do with the extra nutrition from the increased cropping - especially soybeans, but also corn to some extent. Until recent years most fields in this area were hay or pasture. Now you can get a farmer to farm an 8 or 10 acre field.

I have also increased the cover through hinge cutting at both places and native grasses at one of them. The native grasses are really good after leaves fall but not so much when it’s still real hot. The hinge cutting is a plus year round.

I also think that passing young bucks with lots of potential is helping. Sometimes they get shot by someone else, but occasionally it works out.

 

[Mtyhunter]

My son and I got lucky and drew out on a prized lottery hunt on the Wichita wildlife refuge, which is a federal refuge in Oklahoma. 60k acres, no hunting period except for the lottery hunt every year. They take that hunt serious, and have wildlife biologist there every step of the way. My son killed a nice 140" buck. The biologist jawboned and aged the buck, weighed the buck and it was 120lbs dressed. They congratulated him for the second heaviest buck taken that year, w/ top spot coming in at 125lbs, rack scoring around 160. Both bucks were aged at 6 yrs old. I knew the buck was kinda small, as a nice buck like this in northeastern ok can go up to 200lbs dressed. They also have a once in lifetime elk hunt there too.
Got to talking with the biologist about the light weights of the elk and deer. His answer was simple. They do nothing on the refuge. No greenfields, no feed, etc. They let nature take its course, and this is what you get. However, every piece of land surrounding that refuge is leased for hunting, with fields and agriculture. He said the animals taken on the boundaries in these areas can weigh 25-50% more than the animals on the refuge. He also said that the this also makes a difference in the racks. If I remember right, he said my sons buck likely would be around 160lbs dressed, and maybe 160" had it been killed outside the refuge where they're fed.

 

[Howboutthemdawgs]

Please know I’m not singling out anyone with this info just trying to press something that is one of my huge issues with deer and management. Your buddy, your biologist, your taxidermist, all don’t know the age of the deer. They can guess, and maybe get in a ball park but too many studies have proving they are wrong at a rate way too inconsistent to make management decisions. Even CA has gotten teeth from opposite jawbones to come back as two different ages in randomized tests.

 

[jsasker007]

Been a while since Minnesota has been part of the big buck conversation.