muggs Posted October 19, 2011 Report Share Posted October 19, 2011 So, the farm I hunt must have an excellent buck to doe ratio. I have been hunting this farm since 1998, and know the area very well. Back five years ago, I'd hunt the same stands and see more does than bucks (which is the norm IMO). The last 3-4 years though, that's changed. So far this year, I've only been on stand 5 times and have seen 11 bucks (all dinks) and only one doe. Last year, I'd say I saw 5 bucks for every doe. I think it's for the best, more bucks equals more rutting competition and more big boys moving I'd think. But, it's really just a odd thing. You guys ever experience something like this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ohiobucks Posted October 19, 2011 Report Share Posted October 19, 2011 Not sure how to explain the change there Eric. Interesting. On one farm I hunt, we've been shooting does as shots present themselves for several years now (both bow and gun), and deer sightings in general are down. It's what the farmer wants/wanted, but doesn't do much for me bow hunting these days... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tominator Posted October 19, 2011 Report Share Posted October 19, 2011 Urban zone? Maybe the surrounding hunters are taking quite a bit of antlerless deer. If you have some aggressive hunters who don't mind shooting the does, maybe that's the cause. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
muggs Posted October 19, 2011 Author Report Share Posted October 19, 2011 That's a good point, it could have something to do with the zoning. This farm is off of Rt. 44, which the DNR actually uses as a boundary line of the urban area. Anything west of Rt. 44 is considered urban, anything east is not. I'm on the eastside of 44...so it's not technically urban where I'm at, but guys are able to use urban tags across the street. That's pretty comical in itself because there's nothing urban about this area, all farmland and woods. This area doesn't seem to get a lot of bow hunting pressure, but the woods fill up during gun season. Guys just blast away out there, that could be part of the reason too, Tom. I have my buddy in an area I call "Doe Central" because I'd see nothing but doe there for years. He shot a small six pointer (his first deer ever) there last year and has only seen one doe there this year. I can't figure it out. Like I said, i'm not complaining though. If it's been like this for 4 years now, I'm sure there are more brutes there now more then ever. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dbHunterNY Posted October 19, 2011 Report Share Posted October 19, 2011 Sounds like you should switch over to shooting bucks and give any doe a pass. I don't know. Where I hunt there are way more doe than buck. close to 20:1 ratio for doe out numbering bucks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dbHunterNY Posted October 19, 2011 Report Share Posted October 19, 2011 ...another thing. I'd invest in a doe decoy! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tominator Posted October 19, 2011 Report Share Posted October 19, 2011 That's pretty comical in itself because there's nothing urban about this area, all farmland and woods. Arbitrary boundary.... I guess they have to be drawn somewhere. I'm sure you remember my place. The county line is the urban boundary for my area. I'm not in the zone, but right across the road is, and I've never seen an unusual amount of deer there since I've been living there, and that's going on 18 years now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tominator Posted October 19, 2011 Report Share Posted October 19, 2011 Sounds like you should switch over to shooting bucks and give any doe a pass. I don't know. Where I hunt there are way more doe than buck. close to 20:1 ratio for doe out numbering bucks. Only 1 buck allowed in Ohio, unless the antlers are less than 3" I think it is, which qualifies them as antlerless; which I know a thing or two about. I've shot my fair share of buttons over the years. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhunt Posted October 19, 2011 Report Share Posted October 19, 2011 Just my opinion, but think does can be overhunted and can eventually wipe out deer numbers. Far as the ratio, dunno about where you are hunting what kind of limits there are on does, but if you have guys taking every doe they see I think it will eventually have a negative impact on the overall herd. Here we are allowed 3 antlerless deer a day from bow season start in September up until season ends in January, allowed 3 bucks over the entire season, plenty around who will kill every deer they see. I think our ratio is fair, but our overall numbers are down. Far as the big boys hanging around, again my opinion, but if there is only one or two doe around(say in a sq mile) and too much competition the big boys may move on to find pockets with higher doe numbers, that might not play into your favor so much. Think too high a buck to doe ratio can be a problem. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
muggs Posted October 20, 2011 Author Report Share Posted October 20, 2011 Just my opinion, but think does can be overhunted and can eventually wipe out deer numbers. Far as the ratio, dunno about where you are hunting what kind of limits there are on does, but if you have guys taking every doe they see I think it will eventually have a negative impact on the overall herd. Here we are allowed 3 antlerless deer a day from bow season start in September up until season ends in January, allowed 3 bucks over the entire season, plenty around who will kill every deer they see. I think our ratio is fair, but our overall numbers are down. Far as the big boys hanging around, again my opinion, but if there is only one or two doe around(say in a sq mile) and too much competition the big boys may move on to find pockets with higher doe numbers, that might not play into your favor so much. Think too high a buck to doe ratio can be a problem. Good thoughts. I see your point on the big boys. I killed a moster in '09. I was watching two 9 pointers chase a hot doe when he came in and ran them off. I can see what you're saying and that could definitely be the case, but also, the big boys might be searching extra hard to find does. Hopefully it doesn't work against us. I think you're onto something with your first paragraph too. The way Ohio's regs are structured, we're only allowed one buck like Chris said. Yet, if you buy all the tags and are able to hunt "urban zones" (you can purchase and use doe only tags in those zones), I think I can kill 7 doe and only one buck. So, maybe what we're seeing is an impact of the overall Ohio regs? That very well could be. If guys are using 3-4 tags on does and getting their one buck. That could be the case. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hoosierhunter Posted October 20, 2011 Report Share Posted October 20, 2011 I think your probably ok. I don't think many areas in the midwest have to worry about not having enough does unless ehd or something came through. I think your ratio is still probably at least 2 to 1 on does to bucks and it just so happens that those little knuckleheads are the most visible right now. I think your in a great position because a mature buck will not tolerate those little guys around during the rut and probably do as much bullying with them as seeking which will have him on his feet even more! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dbHunterNY Posted October 20, 2011 Report Share Posted October 20, 2011 Only 1 buck allowed in Ohio, unless the antlers are less than 3" I think it is, which qualifies them as antlerless; which I know a thing or two about. I've shot my fair share of buttons over the years. I didn't know you guys only get one buck tag a season. Yea I've seen proof every now and then, complements of Tom. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikebohio Posted October 20, 2011 Report Share Posted October 20, 2011 the land i normally hunt the bucks outnumber the does 3 to 1. lots and lots of dinks. been hunting there for four years. early season rocks but dont have much rut activity. wish we had an option for an additional buck tag. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhunt Posted October 21, 2011 Report Share Posted October 21, 2011 Like I said in my initial reply, was just my opinion, what Eric asked for. Don't think a 5 buck to 1 doe ratio is good, but that is just my opinion. Guess for me it stands to reason that a mature deer when thinking about it in terms of behaviour, where are the mature bucks more likely to be? If an area holds very few does and the competition is high from several age class deer or the buck has an opportunity to move off to be where there might be a slightly higher number of does and has less buck competition, where is he more likely to be? Bucks are gonna move around during the pre rut and rut anyway, if they find a harem of does they are gonna stick with them longer. If they have one doe, once that one doe is done that is it and they are moving off, then what how many bucks are gonna hang around with no does left to breed? If you have an opportunity during the rut to hunt where there is only one doe or 4 or 5 hanging around, where are you gonna have better chances that one of them might be in and attract a mature buck? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fly Posted October 22, 2011 Report Share Posted October 22, 2011 Same thing has happened to a buddy of mine. Used to be doe heaven, everyone had the mentality to shoot does and let the bucks walk unless they were wall hangers. Now his cameras are all of little bucks and only a doe here and there. I think it was from doe harvesting and possibly coyotes. Lsst year he saw 2 yotes hunting a small deer (one had it by the back leg). He shot the yote and the deer got away. I believe a couple yotes could get a doe easier than a buck. No does are being shot this year, we'll see what happens... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stinger-Hunter Posted October 22, 2011 Report Share Posted October 22, 2011 I've seen a few bucks out in the field and even a few here in Chicago - yes, Chicago! The forest preserves are full of them. I saw an 8 pointer this morning at 8 am. The more bucks the better. Better for the heard as a whole and better for hunters. It is nice just to know they are def. out there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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