Prairie Acres
5 year old buck +
The Wisconsin DNR collects data on the harvest of yearling bucks (1.5 years old) for each county and county group. They use the information to help estimate deer population. "Yearling buck percent is closely aligned with hunting pressure and where there is a higher harvest of bucks there is typically a higher yearling buck percentage." Looking over the statistics I believe the yearling buck percentage is dropping partially as a result of hunters becoming more selective in what they shoot. In my area, South West Farmland, 15 years ago the yearling buck percentage was around 40% and now it's down to the low 20's. Many parts of the state of Wisconsin the yearling buck percentage is around 50% but it looks like it's dropping throughout the state. Does your state track this? What is it in your area?
