bowhuntMN Posted November 9, 2009 Report Share Posted November 9, 2009 I've watched shows that talk about it and have read stuff about it, but i can't remember exactly why we should do it. Doesn;t it have something to do with increasing competition for bucks in order to make sure only the dominant bucks breed with the does? Can someone enlighten me please cuz i think it needs to be done on our farm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Kid Posted November 9, 2009 Report Share Posted November 9, 2009 ya it makes it tougher if bucks dont have to go look for does, so you minimize the doe population the bucks have to get up and move to look for does Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bowhuntMN Posted November 9, 2009 Author Report Share Posted November 9, 2009 i see. thanks for clearing that up Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jorden Posted November 9, 2009 Report Share Posted November 9, 2009 Yup, the closer the buck:doe ratio is, the more intense the rut is and the more the bucks have to travel for does. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WHISKEYSWAMP Posted November 9, 2009 Report Share Posted November 9, 2009 We've killed 27 does in the last 3 years off the property I shot my big buck last weekend... I've gotten more trail cam pics and had more buck activity than I've had in years past. It seemed to have helped on this particular farm. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joeaveragehunter Posted November 9, 2009 Report Share Posted November 9, 2009 Three years ago ratio was about 10 to 1. After three years of taking does, hard winters (for deer), and wolves I thought we were down to about 5 or 4 to 1. My dad sees fifteen does, brother sees 3 does and other brother sees 4 does, all the same night stand all within 80 acres. Looks like we got more work to do. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redkneck Posted November 9, 2009 Report Share Posted November 9, 2009 (edited) The ratio is only half the equation. You are ultimately trying to get your herd to the correct size for your property. You have nutrition from 2 sources, the natural browse that is already there, and the amount of nutrition that you supplement (food plots, summer plantings, deer feeders). This base of food will only support so many deer to reach their full potential. Any more deer than that, and the food supply is rationed more and more, and ultimately will show up in your body weights of the deer you kill. But...... it's not like your property is good for 100 deer, but you have 120, therefore 20 die, they just all have less to eat and eventually you'll be able to measure the difference on the scales, when your herd is overpopulated. The fastest way to reduce the herd is to take does. Shoot one buck, and you have one less deer. Shoot one doe, and you potentially have 3 less deer the next year given the fact that she may conceive twins during breeding. Hope that helped, but I sure aint no expert. Just remember it's not anything exact, you just try to make adjustments for the long term. The deer herd is going to fluctuate every year from predators, winter kills, natural migrations too. Also the nutrition base will vary greatly as the weather dictates growing seasons and things such as acorn crops. All you can do as a hunter is look at the big picture by looking at the data you are collecting, compare that to where you want to be, and make adjustments, and just keep going. Most states have great deer management programs you can take advantage of. Edited November 9, 2009 by redkneck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PotashRLS Posted November 9, 2009 Report Share Posted November 9, 2009 The ratio is only half the equation. You are ultimately trying to get your herd to the correct size for your property. You have nutrition from 2 sources, the natural browse that is already there, and the amount of nutrition that you supplement (food plots, summer plantings, deer feeders). This base of food will only support so many deer to reach their full potential. Any more deer than that, and the food supply is rationed more and more, and ultimately will show up in your body weights of the deer you kill. But...... it's not like your property is good for 100 deer, but you have 120, therefore 20 die, they just all have less to eat and eventually you'll be able to measure the difference on the scales, when your herd is overpopulated. The fastest way to reduce the herd is to take does. Shoot one buck, and you have one less deer. Shoot one doe, and you potentially have 3 less deer the next year given the fact that she may conceive twins during breeding. Hope that helped, but I sure aint no expert. Just remember it's not anything exact, you just try to make adjustments for the long term. The deer herd is going to fluctuate every year from predators, winter kills, natural migrations too. Also the nutrition base will vary greatly as the weather dictates growing seasons and things such as acorn crops. All you can do as a hunter is look at the big picture by looking at the data you are collecting, compare that to where you want to be, and make adjustments, and just keep going. Most states have great deer management programs you can take advantage of. Great Answer!!!! It has more to do with overall herd health and ratios than just a "rut thing" Competion will be more intense if the management is on a large scale. If you manage your does and your outlying neighbors don't, your bucks become theirs during the rut and you will end up with nill in a lot of cases. Sometimes killing your does during late season hunts will help this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dawgitall Posted November 9, 2009 Report Share Posted November 9, 2009 Well put redkneck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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