Comments on: The Importance of Aging Deer http://www.buckmanager.com/2007/12/19/the-importance-of-aging-deer/ Deer Hunting and Habitat Management Sun, 14 Mar 2010 00:00:59 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Buck Manager http://www.buckmanager.com/2007/12/19/the-importance-of-aging-deer/comment-page-1/#comment-2252 Buck Manager Fri, 27 Nov 2009 17:34:02 +0000 http://www.buckmanager.com/2007/12/19/the-importance-of-aging-deer/#comment-2252 Bob- Most bucks that are 8 points at 4 1/2 remain 8 point deer. Notice I said most. This is why many 3 1/2 and 4 1/2 year old 8 point bucks are commonly harvested as management bucks - they are removed at this age knowing that only a small percentage will gain antler points in future years. Keep in mind that deer management is more about general rules than exceptions. I would suggest that hunters in your area consider harvesting 8 and 9 point deer at 3 1/2 and older, but hold off on 10 point deer until 5 1/2, especially if you believe those deer are remaining on your property. However, I would not hesistate to harvest any deer that is 5 1/2 years or older, regardless of antler points. Bob-

Most bucks that are 8 points at 4 1/2 remain 8 point deer. Notice I said most. This is why many 3 1/2 and 4 1/2 year old 8 point bucks are commonly harvested as management bucks – they are removed at this age knowing that only a small percentage will gain antler points in future years. Keep in mind that deer management is more about general rules than exceptions.

I would suggest that hunters in your area consider harvesting 8 and 9 point deer at 3 1/2 and older, but hold off on 10 point deer until 5 1/2, especially if you believe those deer are remaining on your property. However, I would not hesistate to harvest any deer that is 5 1/2 years or older, regardless of antler points.

]]> By: Bob Carroll http://www.buckmanager.com/2007/12/19/the-importance-of-aging-deer/comment-page-1/#comment-2241 Bob Carroll Thu, 26 Nov 2009 03:11:00 +0000 http://www.buckmanager.com/2007/12/19/the-importance-of-aging-deer/#comment-2241 Nobody wants to shoot 8 point bucks on my lease because they think next year the same deer will be 10 point bucks. Has anybody seen a study on progression of antlers on 3 1/2 year old bucks and up? What percentage of bucks at 3 1/2 that are 8's will be 10's the next year? I'm thinking we are shooting the wrong bucks. We shoot 9's and 10's at 3 1/2 and up and leaving the 8's untouched. Nobody wants to shoot 8 point bucks on my lease because they think next year the same deer will be 10 point bucks. Has anybody seen a study on progression of antlers on 3 1/2 year old bucks and up? What percentage of bucks at 3 1/2 that are 8’s will be 10’s the next year? I’m thinking we are shooting the wrong bucks. We shoot 9’s and 10’s at 3 1/2 and up and leaving the 8’s untouched.

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