Native Hunter
5 year old buck +
I know from reading a lot of threads here that many of you have seen your deer herds diminish from disease and several other factors. In most cases you have some idea of the reasons this is happening.... You may not have control of the factors, but you do at least recognize them.
My question is a little different. How do you see the availability of mature bucks and bucks that are a year away from being shooters change from year to year where most factors stay relatively constant?
The reason I ask is because even though I have been a deer hunter all my life, I'm relative new at managing a property for deer. In 2012, I thought things were very good. In 2013, I was amazed at what we had around. This year, I essentially had only one mature buck around and a couple of short time visitors in the rut peak. The nice young bucks were not as numerous this year either. Everything should have been better - more cover, more food, and less human intrusion than ever.
So, just wondering what others see from year to year and would welcome thoughts.
My question is a little different. How do you see the availability of mature bucks and bucks that are a year away from being shooters change from year to year where most factors stay relatively constant?
The reason I ask is because even though I have been a deer hunter all my life, I'm relative new at managing a property for deer. In 2012, I thought things were very good. In 2013, I was amazed at what we had around. This year, I essentially had only one mature buck around and a couple of short time visitors in the rut peak. The nice young bucks were not as numerous this year either. Everything should have been better - more cover, more food, and less human intrusion than ever.
So, just wondering what others see from year to year and would welcome thoughts.