D
dipper
Guest
acre and a half isn't bad.
I'll tell u something I noticed since I've been destroying my doe population. These foods plots really attract the does. When u literally wipe out the deer using a specific location, like your 3.5 acre food plot, it takes time, but a new group of does comes back. Now our mn friends have proven if everyone is dropping the hammer in the outlying area, it's easy to completely eliminate all the deer. however, If there isn't much hunting pressure on the local does, the harvest opportunitiess can be almost unlimited.
The most interesting thing u said was the deer hit my beans, and they will leave once the acorns drop. Those deer u have are simply jumping food sources. I see the same exact thing by me. I have a suspicion that group of "20" odd does is an extended family group. I've seen the same ball park number many times. You don't really ever see more than that 16-20ish until winter strikes. But than, does will get territorial and aggressive towards each other. I think that's simply the sows protecting their family.
I bet that group of does consists of multiple "old" sows, that aren't reproductive. Have u noticed how many have fawns? Do u have a group of 4-5 does with only maybe one doe having a fawn? That's what I would routinely see on my main farm. One large group of does completely ruled a specific food source. They didn't "come out" to the food plot together, but it was clear they accepted each other socially, when u watch them feeding.
To me, it's been really interesting what happens when u eliminate those groups, especially the matriarchs.
All the so called experts feed us with the day in the life of mature bucks. I feel there's a lot more to the story, and observing and attempting to understand doe social interaction and habits, make u a much better hunter and land manager.
I'll tell u something I noticed since I've been destroying my doe population. These foods plots really attract the does. When u literally wipe out the deer using a specific location, like your 3.5 acre food plot, it takes time, but a new group of does comes back. Now our mn friends have proven if everyone is dropping the hammer in the outlying area, it's easy to completely eliminate all the deer. however, If there isn't much hunting pressure on the local does, the harvest opportunitiess can be almost unlimited.
The most interesting thing u said was the deer hit my beans, and they will leave once the acorns drop. Those deer u have are simply jumping food sources. I see the same exact thing by me. I have a suspicion that group of "20" odd does is an extended family group. I've seen the same ball park number many times. You don't really ever see more than that 16-20ish until winter strikes. But than, does will get territorial and aggressive towards each other. I think that's simply the sows protecting their family.
I bet that group of does consists of multiple "old" sows, that aren't reproductive. Have u noticed how many have fawns? Do u have a group of 4-5 does with only maybe one doe having a fawn? That's what I would routinely see on my main farm. One large group of does completely ruled a specific food source. They didn't "come out" to the food plot together, but it was clear they accepted each other socially, when u watch them feeding.
To me, it's been really interesting what happens when u eliminate those groups, especially the matriarchs.
All the so called experts feed us with the day in the life of mature bucks. I feel there's a lot more to the story, and observing and attempting to understand doe social interaction and habits, make u a much better hunter and land manager.
