They have become a part of the Texas landscape. Landowners that have them claim that they are critical for white-tailed deer management. Those that don’t either dislike them or simply can not afford them. Some people, hunters included, hate them. Hard working men make a living building them. “They” are high fences, often referred to as game fences. Like it or not, it seems high fences are here to stay, but a question that has undoubtedly crossed the minds of many deer hunters is, “What impact does a high fence have on the movement of white-tailed deer?”

Game fences are typically 8 or 10 feet in height, so there are high fences and then really high fences. Ask just about anyone and they will tell you that high fences are deer proof—deer inside the fence can’t get out and deer outside the fence can’t get in. This belief is disturbing to hunters and landowners bordering high fenced properties because it seems more and more ranches are turning to boundary fence that consist of high fence. I can see both the pros and cons of high game fences, but neither of them is so compelling that I want to drink to the proverbial Kool-Aid. That being said, high fences make it much easier to manage a deer herd.

If high fences were banned then deer and habitat management would still take place. However, the fact is in many states, including Texas, that high fences are legal. As such, game fences are just another tool that a landowner can choose to use or not to use in their individual deer management program. So whether you love them or simply love to hate them, let’s take a look at some of the latest research regarding how high fences impact the movement of white-tailed deer.

A study in South Texas headed up by Texas AgriLife Research is interested in determining the home range of deer both inside and outside a high fenced area. To collect the necessary data on deer movements, researchers placed GPS collars on three does and three bucks inside and three does and three bucks outside a 500 acre high fenced area. Collars collected location data every three hours for each deer for an entire year. So what did the first year of the study find?

This may surprise many of you, but researchers found that the home range sizes of collared bucks were similar on both sides of the high fence. Both groups of bucks, both inside and outside, had home range sizes of about 300 acres. Does, however, within the high fenced pasture tended to have smaller home ranges (185 acres) than those of does outside (285 acres) the high fence. These results lead to the conclusion that high fences restrict the home range of does, but do not necessarily effect the home range of bucks.

Although I would not have guessed this initially, the results of the first year of this study make sense. Both males and females of many wildlife species tend to be quite territorial, but the home range of males usually includes at least parts of the home ranges of several females. Does tend to be quite protective of their fawns and family groups much of the year, while bucks tend to me more complacent with other bucks over the bulk of the year. It would be interesting to compare the home ranges for bucks inside and bucks outside the high fence during the rut period.

These home range findings are interesting, but here is something that was identified over the course of the year that many of you will probably find most interesting. In fact, it may make you think a little differently about deer management and high fences. Remember the part about high fences being deer proof? Well, it turns out that they are not. Over 40% of the collared deer moved in and out of the high fenced pastures fairly regularly, presumably through holes created by feral hogs. This may be the case in some instances, but let’s not forget that deer can jump, too. Either way, researchers found that both bucks and does were capable of passing through a high fence, possibly eliminating potential deer overpopulation. Now that is something to think about.

Selective harvest is an important part of white-tailed deer management. This is equally true for both the buck and doe segments of a deer population, but many hunters become obsessed with trying to determine which bucks to shoot or not shoot. For regular visitors to this site, you know that I have covered shooting deer and harvest management in the past, but this time I really want to stress the importance of not stressing out over the harvest aspect of a deer management program.

The most controversial issue on any hunting property usually revolves around what is and is not a cull or management buck. There is no stock answer to this debate because the quality of a cull buck will vary from ranch to ranch. We have all seen bucks with obviously inferior antlers that have been shot as culls, but I bet you have also seen some really good looking bucks on the web, in magazines, and on television that were harvested by someone and referred to as cull deer. So what’s the deal?

I mentioned earlier that the quality of cull deer will vary from ranch to ranch, but the most important thing to keep in mind when talking about cull deer is that the quality of bucks will vary within each age class (cohort) on a particular property. This is the easiest way to determine what is and is not a cull buck on a piece of property — bucks of the same age must be judged head-to-head against one another to determine which has desired (or at least more desired) antler characteristics and which one will end up in the sausage.

For example, there are some properties under intensive deer management that consider a yearling (1 1/2 years old) buck with 5 or less antler points a cull buck. This does not mean every ranch owner or guy trying to manage his deer hunting lease should hammer every deer with less than 5 points. It would be grossly oversimplified (and a bad idea) to say everyone should do the same thing on their property. This just would not be the case. There are just too many variables.

Let’s talk about spikes for a minute. Now this is a can of worms that hunters and even researchers have been actively discussing for decades, so I am not going to try to change anyone’s thoughts on the subject today. But using the spike buck as an example, I just want to throw out an example of culling bucks by age class. Let’s first assume that we need to harvest some number of bucks and that I am trying to improve the overall end-quality of bucks on a property. If two yearling spikes walk out and one has 3 inch antlers and the other has 10 inch antlers, I will shoot the one with shorter tines and leave the better buck of the same age every time. Why? Because my goal when culling is to remove the most undesirable bucks. The 10 inch spike grew over 3 times as much antler as his same-aged friend.

Although selective genetic manipulation through buck harvest is an important component of any whitetail deer management program, it is not the only component. Keep in mind that better deer habitat means better bucks at every age class. The key to producing good deer is to remove the very low-end bucks, allow the rest to get some age on them, harvest mature bucks then cull by age class so that you harvest no more than 15 to 20% of the total number of bucks each year, and then provide the best deer habitat that you can so that all deer reach their genetic potential.

Habitat is the cornerstone of white-tailed deer management. Plant communities, an important component of habitat, are composed of forbs, grasses, and woody plants (browse). Healthy, diverse habitat sustains native wildlife populations and almost always represent healthy deer herds. However, browsing of woody plants by white-tailed deer and domestic livestock may have negative impacts on perinneal shrubs, trees and the overall habitat.

Excessive browsing may lead to decreased plant vigor, increased susceptibility to disease, or decreased reproduction and seeding establishment. Stresses such as these could potentially cause the disappearance of some plant species important for quality deer habitat. Consequently, deer biologist typically quantify the most palatable browse plants in an area in an attempt to monitor browsing pressure by the local deer herd. Sound deer management decisions can be made by recording browse plant use by white-tailed deer.

In any area, three classes of browse plants exist: first choice, second choice, and third choice. As you would expect, first choice plants are those that deer relish — the ones they look to consume first. Third choice are plants deer really do not care to eat. These third choice plants are foods deer can eat, but they choose not to unless first and second choice plants are unavailable.

Second choice browse plants offer the most information about the local whitetail herd. First choice plants almost always show heavy browsing, unless there are very few deer in the area. On the other hand, third choice plants are often used very little, unless the number of the deer in an area has greatly exceeded the carrying capacity of the property. Monitoring the consumption of second choice browse plants by white-tailed deer gives landowners interested in deer habitat management the best information. Here are browse plant preferences for South Texas by preference:

First Choice - Coma, Cedar Elm, Southwest Bernardia, Four-wing Saltbush, Guayacan, Granjeno, Manzanita, Sugar Hackberry, Texas Kidneywood, Vine Ephedra

Second Choice - Anaqua, Anacahuita. Blackbrush, Brasil, Catclaw Acacia, Cenizo, Colima, Guajillo, Hog Plum, Huisache, Little Leaf Sumac, Live Oak, Lotebush, Palo Verde, Ratany, Retama, Texas Ebony, Twisted Acacia, Woolly Bucket Bumelia, Wright Acacia

Thrid Choice - Agarito, Allthorn, Amargosa, Coyotillo, Creosotebush, Desert Yaupon, Green Condalia, Honey Mesquite, Knifeleaf Condalia, Mountain Laurel, Narrowleaf Forestiera, Shrubby Blue Sage, Texas Persimmon, Whitebrush, Wolfberry

This list of important woody plants for white-tailed deer in South Texas should be used as an example of the information available to those interested in producing high-quality deer and habitat. Find this information for your area in publications or by contacting a biologist at your local department of natural resources.

The proper harvest of animals is a critical component of white-tailed deer management. Although most conversations concerning the harvest of deer are centered around bucks, the harvest of does is just as important. After all, thinning the doe population, when warranted, will improve the buck to doe ratio, slow population growth, and keep white-tailed deer numbers at the proper carrying capacity for the habitat. The management benefits of necessary doe harvest are well documented. 

But when it comes to shooting does, which ones do you shoot first? With bucks, hunters typically use antler characteristics combined with the age of the deer to identify potential cull bucks and other shooter deer. Hunters have varying opinions when it comes to buck harvest, but it’s even less straight forward when it comes to shooting does. Interestingly enough, I recently had a fellow tell me that he spares the largest does and shoots the smallest. At first I thought he was just taking a stab at becoming an “armchair” biologist, but then I started to think his theory may have some merit.

The general rule of thumb in deer management has always been to shoot the oldest does first, the thought being that younger does have been sired by better bucks because of culling practices that take place year after year. The result should be younger does that are genetically better than older does because of gene recombination between better bucks and better does. If this repeatedly occurs on an annual basis, then the last fawn crop should always be genetically superior (even by a small amount) to the year prior.

So, would it make sense to shoot the smallest bodied does? Well, that’s exactly what most deer managers do when it comes to removing cull bucks. White-tailed bucks are judged not only based on their age, but also against other bucks of the same age. Almost without fail, the largest bodied bucks have the largest antlers. On the flip side, bucks that have inferior racks tend to be smaller bodied than other bucks of the same age. Could the same hold true with does?

White-tailed bucks store much of the necessary minerals used for antler formation in their bones. Although they also get a good amount of the material for antler growth from their diet, additional bone bass means the ability to store more antler-growing minerals than the next buck. This explains why larger bodied bucks have better antlers. It would also give some credibility to the “shoot smaller does” theory. A manager should want to pass on the traits for deer with large-framed bodies.

Does also play a large role in the development and initial growth of fawns through rearing, particularly milk production. It would stand to reason that larger bodied does would likely be better “providers” than smaller bodied does, with fawn numbers being equal (both with single or both with twin fawns). From a reproductive standpoint, it becomes beneficial to landowners and fawns to have does with large frames.

When it comes to whitetail deer management, it’s easier to identify potential bucks for harvest than it is does. A hunter can gauge a buck’s genes by the antlers on his head, but does lack these physical yardsticks. However, a hunter can compare does of similar age by body size. Will it really help a deer herd to have a harvest strategy that targets the smallest does? I can’t say for sure, but it makes good sense, especially if you compare does based on age.

White-tailed deer management and the culling of bucks go hand-in-hand. To improve the buck segment of any deer herd, some type of culling must take place on an annual basis. Each fall, hunters email me photos and ask, “Is this deer a cull buck?” It’s a simple enough question, but the answer depends on the quality of the whitetail bucks found on the ranch. After all, culling is relative to the buck population in question. In addition, the reasons for culling bucks are also closely tied to the landowner’s objectives.

A cull buck on one ranch may be a trophy on another. Landowner objectives, habitat condition, food availability, and the genes found in the local deer population (for antler growth) all determine what a cull buck on a particular property will look like. Bucks found on a property must be judged against other bucks on the ranch. It would be unfair to compare deer from South Texas with deer from Alabama or Indiana. Although reasons for culling bucks may vary from hunter to hunter and between ranches, there are some physical measures by which all bucks are measured. Below are seven potential reasons to cull healthy whitetail bucks:

Missing Brow Points

Brow points (G1) are important. Plain and simple, whitetail bucks should have brow points once they reach 2 years of age. Not only are bucks expected to have brow points, but the presence of these tines is genetically dominant over deer with one or no brow points. If bucks are missing one or both brow points, then these animals need to be removed from the herd. I have been on several ranches where many of the bucks were missing brow points. The only way to ensure that whitetail bucks have  brow points on a property is to remove what you can see, bucks without them.

Short Points

Bucks with short antler points are undesirable to most hunters and deer managers. When we think of great whitetail bucks, we immediately think of deer with longer points, particularly from the G2 on up. Short-tined bucks not only look inferior, they are genetically. I like to think that Mother Nature would want bucks to have long tines so that they could use them more effectively to defend themselves. In reality, body size is much more important when it comes to dominance, but short points in your deer herd means hunters get the short end of the stick.

Short Beams

Whitetail bucks with short main beams make for odd deer. We all know what a typical buck’s beams look like and that is what most landowners want to manage for in their deer herds. Long points and main beams add inches and inches to a buck’s Boone and Crockett score. In addition, bucks with short main beams leave no room for point placement. A manager can’t expect to have 12 point bucks when bucks have 15 inch main beams. It can happen, but we could all be living on the moon one day, too. And even if it did, is that what you want? Bucks with short main beams make for short-lived bucks.

No Mass

Mass is the most highly heritable antler trait for whitetial bucks. Bucks that have heavy mass are sired by bucks with heavy mass. On the other hand, deer with pencil horns come from bucks that were thin-horned. Of course, buck nutrition and age both play a role when it comes to antler mass. A buck’s antler mass will increase with age, so judge an indivdual buck’s mass measurements relative to other bucks of the same age class. If your property provides good deer habitat, then well-fed whitetail bucks should have good mass. If they lack antler mass, then think about culling those bucks.

Narrow Spread

This is a matter of opinion, but most deer managers and hunters like wider spread bucks as opposed to more narrow spread bucks. In my opinion, inside antler spread is the least important measurement when it comes to a buck’s numerical score. Most mature bucks only achieve an inside antler spread of about 20 inches, so even a very narrow-horned buck with a 12 inch spread just gives up 8 inches. Because of this, whitetail bucks with a narrow antler spread can still score very high, if they have long antler points and heavy mass. You can cull based on spread, but point length and antler mass are more important. 

Lack of Points

Every person interested in whitetail deer management wants to produce better bucks with more points. Antler points, like beam mass, are highly heritable traits in whitetial deer. If a buck has a low number of antler points, then the deer could be on the chopping block. The number of points a buck has must be judged against the deer’s age. The number of points a buck has as a yearling is indicative of the deer’s future. A high number of points at a young age typically means more points at an older age. Most managers desire yearling (1 1/2 years old) bucks with 6+ points. Spikes, three, four, and five point yearlings may be potential culls depending on your objectives.

Everyone has heard of the infamous ”management buck.” This term became popularized about 15 years ago as a way to market 3 1/2 to 4 1/2 year old 8 point cull bucks. As a general rule of thumb, if a whitetail buck has only 8 points at 3 1/2 years of age, then he’s not going to grow any more. Sure, the buck may throw on some stickers and kickers, but more often than not the deer has maxed out on main antler points. This may not a desirable buck if the landowner is managing for 10+ point bucks. By using a selective deer harvest strategy, a manager can remove the genes for main-frame 8 point bucks and promote whitetail bucks with more points.
 
Maturity

This is kind of a no brainer. If a whitetail buck is mature, regardless of antler quality, it should be considered available for harvest. The buck may or may not be a true cull, but once a buck reaches maturity it either has “it” or it doesn’t. The real problem with old-aged culls is that they have been on the property for years breeding and producing both buck and doe fawns that carry their same genes. It’s easy to identify an old cull buck, but you will do yourself and your deer management program a favor by learning how to identify cull bucks at an earlier age. Not only will culling bucks at a young age ensure your best quality whitetail bucks do all the breeding, but it will mean more food resources and better habitat for your best deer!