You improve genetics by improving what they eat and drink. By providing these things the bucks that already have decent genetics can achieve their maximum potential. You you can improve the size of a bucks antlers by good land management. Take 2 bucks with the exact same genetics and feed one mineral supplements and protein feed and not the other see which one has bigger antlers. Improving natural forage is the same thing. Opening the canopy to let natural forbs grow, providing a water source if there is none, etc. There are more big bucks harvested now than ever before because of improvements to land management.
That makes no sense. What genetics are you talking about? Wisconsin deer or Georgia deer? Georgia deer have the potential to grow to 200" but they will never have the same genetics as a northern deer. I'm not sure you understand the question posed about a cull buck.
Thank you!
You can improve the size of the antlers and the overall health of the bucks and does in your woods by a good feeding program and by improving the habitat...but that is not genetics. You quit feeding them and working to keep the habitat up and see what you have in a few years...right back where you started because that IS genetics. What they do on a high fence ranch in Texas doesn't apply to a wild deer herd.
Ok so what are we talking about really? The size of the antlers and body weight, health, condition? That's what I'm talking about when I say genetics. I'm not trying to change a southern deer into a northern strain. The original question was about a cull buck. I say there is no such thing (in management terms) because you can't shoot poor antler "genetics" out of the herd. It can only be done through nutrition and letting them get old enough to achieve their full potential. And just so you know what they do on a high fence ranch does apply because it shows you what can be done with proper nutrition. They buy bucks with huge racks and better "genetics" because they don't want to wait 4 or 5 years to see results. The difference is you will get bucks with inferior nutrition mixing in with the deer on your property in a wild herd. We have changed the quality of bucks on our property from what we are doing with the land. That is a fact. Are we changing their DNA? No. Not what we are talking about.
Yes, better habitat will allow your deer to reach full genetic potential but that is NOT changing the genetics...just getting the most out of the genetics that are already there. You still have to keep feeding the new fawns the same way or they will be just what they would have been had you done nothing in the first place.
You are using quality and results as if that were the same as genetics. DNA is genetics. I see you agree that you can't change that so I guess we are just applying different definitions to our terms.
I don't believe that is what he was referring to. We are talking about QDM cull bucks and what that is. He is saying the same thing I am. We are talking about the potential to change the antler size and body weight, health of the herd.
Amen
Yes. Not trying to argue. I'm just saying when talking about cull bucks and deer we are usually talking about improving their racks and overall health. By doing this you can have more, bigger racked bucks, healthier does, healthier fawns that will acheive their true potential.
NO!!!! what about???
