Core Lokt
Senior Member
I thought about this before I posted but I want to ask. I'm not trying to start a debate or arguments. Just a question I have. I understand not everyone hunts for the big rack but many do. I also understand that deer not behind a fence (even if it was 2K ac) probably have the odds against them making much past 3.5-4.5 for different reasons cars, neighbors etc.
Lots of people set the mark on a buck that he is ready to be shot at 3.5 yrs old. he is "mature, grown and old".
I ask this because a guy in NFL high fenced 800ac of his land. Didn't bring any deer in, all local native deer. He did this 8-9 yrs ago. He does feed minerals/protein (during growing time), plant plots, has feeding stations, shoots some does each year and fertilizes natural foods. Just like many clubs do. He has ran cameras since it was fenced. He hasn't shot a deer in 5-6 years off this property. His daughter will kill 1 a year. I saw cam pics of some of the bucks about 3 years ago and last year.
Keep in mind these are native NFL deer that have been allowed to get 7,8,9,10 yrs old. You would swear many of these bucks were trucked in from the Midwest by the size of their racks that they were able to grow because of being able to get 6+ yrs old and I'm sure having feed/protein available helps. 200lb is pushing it and not all get that heavy. Some of the bucks he has never seen in person, only on cameras and some have disappeared to be found dead of old age. He does keep a log of all of the bucks each year.
So I guess my question is why is 3.5 the most common age to start shooting bucks for those that only want to shoot "mature" bucks? Why not let them get more age in them so they can really produce what you want?
Again, I'm not trying to start anything. Looking forward to some answers
Lots of people set the mark on a buck that he is ready to be shot at 3.5 yrs old. he is "mature, grown and old".
I ask this because a guy in NFL high fenced 800ac of his land. Didn't bring any deer in, all local native deer. He did this 8-9 yrs ago. He does feed minerals/protein (during growing time), plant plots, has feeding stations, shoots some does each year and fertilizes natural foods. Just like many clubs do. He has ran cameras since it was fenced. He hasn't shot a deer in 5-6 years off this property. His daughter will kill 1 a year. I saw cam pics of some of the bucks about 3 years ago and last year.
Keep in mind these are native NFL deer that have been allowed to get 7,8,9,10 yrs old. You would swear many of these bucks were trucked in from the Midwest by the size of their racks that they were able to grow because of being able to get 6+ yrs old and I'm sure having feed/protein available helps. 200lb is pushing it and not all get that heavy. Some of the bucks he has never seen in person, only on cameras and some have disappeared to be found dead of old age. He does keep a log of all of the bucks each year.
So I guess my question is why is 3.5 the most common age to start shooting bucks for those that only want to shoot "mature" bucks? Why not let them get more age in them so they can really produce what you want?
Again, I'm not trying to start anything. Looking forward to some answers