There has been an ongoing debate in deer management over the culling young white-tailed bucks based on antler characteristics ever since the first research on the subject concluded. The subject at the very heart of this debate still remains the harvest of spike antlered bucks. Though many deer managers cull bucks in an attempt to improve the antler quality of their deer herd, does it really work?

DADH: “Conflicting penned deer research findings have fueled the age-old culling controversy. Study results on captive deer have produced recommendations ranging from removing all spike-antlered (presumably genetically inferior) yearlings, to complete protection of all yearling bucks regardless of their antler traits. Those favoring selective removal of small-antlered young bucks claim such a practice will remove small-antlered genes from the herd and improve antler quality.”

Texas has lead the way in terms of antler research. Research conducted by Texas Parks and Wildlife Department suggests that breeding better-antlered white-tailed bucks improved the antler quality of bucks sired, but then researchers at Texas A&M University concluded that a doe’s “nurturing ability” was the most important factor. The latter study suggests that the genetics of individual deer are not important at all? (more…)

The hunting season may have have ended for majority of white-tailed deer hunters, but there is no better time to reflect back over the past season than while it’s all fresh in your mind. If you had to opportunity to spend many days in the field, then you should have a good picture of the overall deer herd in your area. Better yet, if you recorded deer observations while hunting, then you have the hard data to support what is happening under your ranch’s current deer management program. These field observations, in addition to game camera photos, will allow you to track individual bucks from one year to the next. I strongly recommend keeping both photo and stand observations since some bucks always seem to avoid getting caught on camera.

With regards to antlered deer, one issue that always seems to come up is the lack of brow tines on individual white-tailed bucks. Hunters often have questioned why some middle-aged and older bucks simply lack brow tines. And yes, antler characteristics are genetically linked and highly heritable. To back up this claim, I will cite some long-term data collected from the Texas’ Kerr Wildlife Management Area.        

From 1974 to 1997, this research facility was involved in a number of studies designed to determine the role of nutrition and genetics in white-tailed deer antler development. During each of various studies that took place over that time, researchers recorded antler information for individual bucks throughout that 23 year period. This wealth of data allowed biologists to back-track 217 bucks from yearlings (1 1/2) to 3 1/2 years of age and 168 bucks until they were 4 1/2 years old. So what did they find? (more…)

As mentioned in the first part of this two part series on small acreage deer management, selective deer harvest on properties less than 500 acres in size is difficult to control because most deer in the area will have home ranges that encompass neighboring ranches. The best remedy for combating the small acreage dilemma is to find cooperative, adjacent ranches that can increase the quantity, and ideally quality, of land under a common white-tailed deer management program. Increasing the reach of a management program should be the first priority of any small ranch owner, or even large ranch owner, but I also want to touch on some of the other important deer herd issues that were asked about in the first part of this series — estrus cycles, spikes, and buck to doe ratio.      

First, with regard to the estrus cycles of deer, whitetail does cycle every 28 days. Late-born fawns are the products of does that cycle later than normal or does that were bred on their second or third estrus cycle into the breeding season. Although born later than usual, late-born whitetail fawns are not genetically inferior to fawns born earlier in the fawning season. Furthermore, research has shown that fawning date is not a factor in the antler production of yearling (1 1/2 year old) white-tailed bucks. Although genes are genes and can not be changed, antler production can be influenced by environmental conditions.

This takes us to the long-debated discussion about spike bucks. Despite the fact that some hunters believe spike bucks should not be harvested, you will not be doing your deer management program any favors by leaving spike-antlered yearling bucks on the landscape. Above, I mentioned that environmental conditions can influence antler quality. This is true for all buck age classes, but recent research has shown that even on poor diets, which simulated poor habitat conditions, some of the yearling bucks in the study were still 5, 6, 7, and 8-point deer — and fawning date was not a factor. Although 95% of spike bucks are yearlings (1 1/2 years old), any spike buck, regardless of age, should be removed. (more…)

Deer management is challenging, but attempting to manage deer on small acreage can be down right frustrating. And when I say small acreage, I am referring to properties from 500 acres on down. Simply said, it is very difficult to manage white-tailed deer on small ranches because neighboring properties have a large influence on an area’s deer population. Game-fenced ranches are a different story. But even if you own or hunt small acreage, do not give up just yet. There are still a few things you can do to manage and improve deer in your area.

Question: “I am a new hunter who has access to a small (85 acre) piece of property in Edwards County, Texas. I want to improve the quality of deer on the land that I hunt. Due to the very rocky terrain, food plots are out. I also need information on estrus cycles and need to know if the second and third cycle can degrade the quality of offspring. This land has a large number of 2-3 year old spikes and the buck to doe ratio is about 1 to 10. I am seeking any and all information to improve quality of deer.”

First of all, food plots are great if the land will support them, but they are neither necessary for good deer management, nor a cure-all for poor habitat. Food plots are most important for managers attempting to support deer populations above the carrying capacity of the deer habitat found on their property. Obviously, any supplemental food that can be provided will help deer on a given ranch, but the first goal of any deer management program should be good habitat management. Here is one thing to remember about food plots, especially spring food plots: When you really need them, they will not grow. When they grow, you probably do not need them.

After providing good deer habitat, the next goal of any manager should be to estimate the current deer population. Deer surveys can determine the number of acres of habitat available for each deer. After the deer density is estimated, the manager can determine herd composition and harvest goals. Now, this is where you need to think outside of the property because habitat management and deer surveys will only get you so far. The next component of your small acreage deer management program is harvest management. (more…)

Harvest is a critical component of any white-tailed deer management program. Not only does hunter harvest play an important role in keeping deer numbers in check with the available habitat on your lease or ranch, but the harvest rate and types of animals removed determines what deer will remain on your property. Although this is important for all segments of your deer population, this is especially important for bucks.

A reader asked over the weekend: Which is the best way to manage a deer herd? Shoot the does and nothing less than an 8-point buck, or shoot spikes and 4-point bucks to allow the larger bucks to mature, while also thinning does? Well, the question is good one. The quick answer would be shoot all bucks with 4 or fewer antler points, older does, and keep your deer herd at carrying capacity for the habitat. And although this harvest strategy would work for the reader, it does not explain why this action would work.

First, I will assume that the carrying capacity of the property is known and that density, herd composition, and fawning success have been estimated through proper deer survey methods. Without this information it would be difficult to tell if any harvest strategy would work, because a high deer density or low buck to doe ratio either would mask or compound issues. But, assuming that the property provides adequate habitat for the deer found on the ranch and the buck to doe ratio is healthy, then shooting bucks with 4 or less antler points and keeping the doe herd at its target level would improve your deer herd. (more…)

Early season deer hunting can be very effective because white-tailed bucks are more easily patterned prior to the rut. Novice deer managers may think that removing a high quality buck prior to the rut is a bad idea because it limits the buck’s ability to pass on his genes. Yes, harvesting a buck prior to the rut does limit his ability to pass on his genes, but it does not limit the ability of his offspring. When it comes to deer management we must manage the deer herd, not individual animals. If you manage the herd as a whole then good things will happen.

The most important aspect of managing the buck segment of the deer population on your property should be maintaing good quality bucks in each age class. If you are interested in improving antler quality of bucks then inferior bucks in each age class should be removed. Bucks that are deemed inferior (by your standards) in the yearling, 2 1/2, 3 1/2, 4 1/2 year old age classes should be removed each year. By doing this you ensure that only the best quality bucks remain each year, pass on their genes, and once mature are ready for harvest. (more…)

Deer management. You have heard the words before, but what does it mean to you? To different people it means different things. To pure hunters, deer management revolves around harvest management. You either shoot to get the deer population down or you lay off the herd to let the numbers grow. Sure, harvest management should be an important part of any comprehensive deer management plan, but keep in mind that it’s not the only thing.

It’s real easy to talk about deer management, but there is talking the talk and walking the walk. White-tailed deer, like all animals, have three primary needs: food, cover, and water. This seems easy enough, but there really is a big misconception among lots of folks about what deer actually eat. If you don’t already know that deer eat primarily forbs and browse, then you have some homework to do because the words “browse” and “forb” mean absolutely nothing to you. But it’s not a big deal because it’s relatively easy to learn about and research the important deer browse and forbs in your area. Once you know what deer eat, the next step is to figure out how to provide more of those foods through proper habitat management. (more…)

Texas allows the owners of high-fenced (game fenced) properties to operate under a Deer Management Permit (DMP) after meeting specific requirements. This permit allows DMP property owners to place 1 white-tailed buck and up to 20 white-tailed does in a breeding enclosure ranging between 5 to 100 acres for genetic “improvement” with the ultimate goal of increasing antler quality in bucks. After breeding, the deer must then be released onto the property and are considered “wild,” meaning they can not be recaptured.

A recent study at the King Ranch attempted to assess the effectiveness of the DMP by comparing antler scores of between pastures including DMP offspring and pastures without DMP offspring. To collect antler measurements by age class, white-tailed bucks were captured using helicopters and nets guns. (more…)