Cull buck pics

[Sligh1]

Cull buck is a term that’s for sure LOADED & can be somewhat subjective… folks interpret it so many different ways. It for sure is a term used far more on big ranches, say in Texas. Or larger farms. In raw terms- it’s “which animals do u want to take spaces & be doing the BREEDING”.

I’d loosely define it like this for iowa farms of any size IMHO…
Any iowa farm can support “only so many bucks”. If u have a 100 acres and there’s 3 mature bucks on a really good year that spend a good amount of time there, there’s no scenario where you’ll be like “I want to stack 15 mature bucks there!” Won’t happen. Any farm - there’s a limit on how many mature bucks can tolerate eachother…

*on the flip side, there’s farms with very few mature bucks and I would take “cull bucks” out of ones mind. I’d focus on mature bucks only. Unless there was maybe a crazy inferior buck that was super aggressive or some unique example.

ok, back to average farm…. U can only have “so many”…. Let’s say it’s 2 or 3 on xyz farm. Those 2 or 3 are gonna take that space & fight & keep several 2.5 to ___ (mature) bucks out of that area or off the structure for dominance. Thus making them subordinate or more likely to seek another area where they can be more dominate. So…. When u have an aggressive 110” 8 point that’s 4.5 or 5.5…. He’s taking up a spot & doing much of the breeding. He’s older & one would say “my farm can only hold so many. Is THIS a buck I want to take one of those rare spots up?” My answer is NO. That’s a CULL. Cull also means, IMO- I find a hunter who is thrilled to shoot that deer. It’s the same as a 6.5 year old 140” 10 point that I go “ya know, he’s not getting any bigger most likely, won’t be a giant. Taking up a spot, he’s RIPE to go!” A thrilled hunter gets to go after him. I also treat high scoring deer in a SOMEWHAT similar manner… they are also taking a spot up. But a spot I don’t mind them filling . I don’t have the urgency to “remove them” to create a spot. But in theory- if he’s absolutely peaked out for growth (irrelevant to 99.999% of public) at a very old age, time for him to go. That’s a “cull” in a sense in that he’s RIPE. Even if he’s 400” & 9.5 years old! . He’s then had years of breeding & it’s time to pick that fruit.
In very simplistic terms…. Understand how much competition your spot has by older bucks. Maybe it’s very little - cull can be removed from your thoughts. Or maybe u just target the super poor genetic bucks at an age u know they are lower quality. Then, remove bucks as they peaked. More emphasis on lower scoring in hopes of removing them so the coveted spots are filled by other bucks of unknown potential. Very concisely- 30 acres or 3000 acres will only hold so many dominate bucks. Target the low quality bucks as soon as you can assess them, ideally a bit sooner than good quality. Let good quality bucks get as old as possible & take those when ripe.
Is there a perfect system for this? NOPE. Exact science? NOPE. Subjective & extremely diverse based on the farm/situation? YEP. Smaller farm average hunters gonna pay attention to this? NOPE. Should u if you have desire, want the best herd & want to maximize your potential? ABSOLUTELY.

 

[Thinkin Rut]

Great explanation skip!

 

[booneriverbucks]

Cull buck is a term that’s for sure LOADED & can be somewhat subjective… folks interpret it so many different ways. It for sure is a term used far more on big ranches, say in Texas. Or larger farms. In raw terms- it’s “which animals do u want to take spaces & be doing the BREEDING”.

I’d loosely define it like this for iowa farms of any size IMHO…
Any iowa farm can support “only so many bucks”. If u have a 100 acres and there’s 3 mature bucks on a really good year that spend a good amount of time there, there’s no scenario where you’ll be like “I want to stack 15 mature bucks there!” Won’t happen. Any farm - there’s a limit on how many mature bucks can tolerate eachother…

*on the flip side, there’s farms with very few mature bucks and I would take “cull bucks” out of ones mind. I’d focus on mature bucks only. Unless there was maybe a crazy inferior buck that was super aggressive or some unique example.

ok, back to average farm…. U can only have “so many”…. Let’s say it’s 2 or 3 on xyz farm. Those 2 or 3 are gonna take that space & fight & keep several 2.5 to ___ (mature) bucks out of that area or off the structure for dominance. Thus making them subordinate or more likely to seek another area where they can be more dominate. So…. When u have an aggressive 110” 8 point that’s 4.5 or 5.5…. He’s taking up a spot & doing much of the breeding. He’s older & one would say “my farm can only hold so many. Is THIS a buck I want to take one of those rare spots up?” My answer is NO. That’s a CULL. Cull also means, IMO- I find a hunter who is thrilled to shoot that deer. It’s the same as a 6.5 year old 140” 10 point that I go “ya know, he’s not getting any bigger most likely, won’t be a giant. Taking up a spot, he’s RIPE to go!” A thrilled hunter gets to go after him. I also treat high scoring deer in a SOMEWHAT similar manner… they are also taking a spot up. But a spot I don’t mind them filling . I don’t have the urgency to “remove them” to create a spot. But in theory- if he’s absolutely peaked out for growth (irrelevant to 99.999% of public) at a very old age, time for him to go. That’s a “cull” in a sense in that he’s RIPE. Even if he’s 400” & 9.5 years old! . He’s then had years of breeding & it’s time to pick that fruit.
In very simplistic terms…. Understand how much competition your spot has by older bucks. Maybe it’s very little - cull can be removed from your thoughts. Or maybe u just target the super poor genetic bucks at an age u know they are lower quality. Then, remove bucks as they peaked. More emphasis on lower scoring in hopes of removing them so the coveted spots are filled by o diverse based on the farm/situation? YEP. Smaller farm average hunters gonna pay attention to this? NOPE. Should u if you have desire, want the best herd & want to maximize your potential? ABSOLUTELY.

That’s a heck of an explanation! I’m actually well aware of what is generally considered a cull buck. Like you said, everybody’s exact definition is going to vary. The point I would like to make is the arguement has been made that we need to change xyz regulation to ensure a “healthy” age structure for the “biological” health of the deer herd. For instance maybe being a one buck state would improve the age structure. Many have also stated that landowners should probably still get an additional buck tag with the main justification being to “manage” cull bucks. Obviously support for the additional tag would be lower if we said we need two tags so we can shoot two giants each year. If we say we “need” that extra tag to manage those pesky bully bucks and cull bucks support goes up. If our management goals are truly about balancing age structure and not about trophy potential than there should be no need for an additional tag to manage cull bucks because we supposedly need those older bucks for the “biological” health of the deer herd. Biologically speaking the 5 year old 8 pointer that scores 120 is just as important to the herd as the 180 inch ten pointer of the same age. That is if you really believe that age class is most important for herd health and not just antler size. Everybody also knows that there will never be a stipulation that a landowner’s second tag is only for use on cull bucks so the whole justification is kind of meaningless. I have no problem if somebody has a different opinion on what the regulations should be but I cringe when I see the “need” to manage cull bucks as justification as to why landowners like myself would get two buck tags and others would only get one in a theoretical one buck state. Everybody sure looks happy holding all those cull bucks in the pictures still!

 

[Thinkin Rut]

Obviously support for the additional tag would be lower if we said we need two tags so we can shoot two giants each year. If we say we “need” that extra tag to manage those pesky bully bucks and cull bucks support goes up.

I'm afraid the only way that will fly is one tag across the board. One free floating LO tag and one paid tag for the non landowner. By just whispering that, feathers will be ruffled. The other choice will be to cut LO to 2 buck tags, not nearly as effective, then again, all hell will be raised. Pipe dream if you ask me.

 

[Thinkin Rut]

All for it by the way...hard sell.

 

[Sligh1]

That’s a heck of an explanation! I’m actually well aware of what is generally considered a cull buck. Like you said, everybody’s exact definition is going to vary. The point I would like to make is the arguement has been made that we need to change xyz regulation to ensure a “healthy” age structure for the “biological” health of the deer herd. For instance maybe being a one buck state would improve the age structure. Many have also stated that landowners should probably still get an additional buck tag with the main justification being to “manage” cull bucks. Obviously support for the additional tag would be lower if we said we need two tags so we can shoot two giants each year. If we say we “need” that extra tag to manage those pesky bully bucks and cull bucks support goes up. If our management goals are truly about balancing age structure and not about trophy potential than there should be no need for an additional tag to manage cull bucks because we supposedly need those older bucks for the “biological” health of the deer herd. Biologically speaking the 5 year old 8 pointer that scores 120 is just as important to the herd as the 180 inch ten pointer of the same age. That is if you really believe that age class is most important for herd health and not just antler size. Everybody also knows that there will never be a stipulation that a landowner’s second tag is only for use on cull bucks so the whole justification is kind of meaningless. I have no problem if somebody has a different opinion on what the regulations should be but I cringe when I see the “need” to manage cull bucks as justification as to why landowners like myself would get two buck tags and others would only get one in a theoretical one buck state. Everybody sure looks happy holding all those cull bucks in the pictures still!

I agree with this 100%!!!!
Here’s the part many of my friends don’t quite grasp IMO…. “I need an extra tag for bully bucks”. I agree it’s nice. I agree that I personally use it for that. But!!… by far & away there’s a better solution…. Take the time to bring youth hunters out or folks that find access difficult. I’m gonna say, 90% of the time- the “bully” or “cull” bucks get shot off my farms by OTHER PEOPLE. Here’s why…. So, there’s a 125” 10 point that’s 5.5 …. Could I just “roast him”? Sure! But if I’m being totally honest, im not gonna be excited like a kid would or a newer hunter or someone that hasn’t shot bucks like that. So - I bring them out & someone does that. Heck, maybe it’s a 6-7 year old that’s 160”. I know others will get way more out of it than I will.
Even in KANSAS we do this!!!! So, it’s 1 buck and you’re done!!!! “I can’t shoot culls”…. BS,…. We have more buddies, kids, locals, u name it that are glad to have an opportunity!!!! Most folks don’t have access to good land & anyone in earlier years of hunting is stoked to shoot a 4-5 year old with big body & maybe a 100-150” rack. We repeat this all over- iowa & ks. I probably watch 5-7 bucks get shot a year. Bringing kids out. Buddies, newer hunters, guests, u name it. Is it effort? Sure- the same as it is if I went hunting myself. Is it fun? Cmon- of course!!!! Doable for anyone? YEP!!!!

Youth hunting, new hunters, folks with limited access, whatever- if u want bullies gone, no reason it can’t get done. Zero. The culls I personally shoot…. Say there’s an OLD 80” 6 point…. I might say “he’s the worst deer on farm, I really don’t expect someone to put tag on him. I’ll hunt him”. & I make it a challenge & im excited to shoot him- I know I’m helping the farm and chasing a rare (junker…. sorry for the word) but he’s smart & it helps the farm & herd. When I do see the “junker” - I’m nervous & excited if I get him. Seriously. I’ll use MY TAG on that buck. Great system.
2 bucks for landowners is PLENTY. plus infinite party tags folks could transfer to me if I was a maniac…. How isn’t that enough? Cmon!! U need more bucks shot- bring kids & folks who don’t have opportunities….. there’s more of a supply of them than demand will ever meet. COMMON SENSE LOGIC IMHO.

 

[hillrunner]

I agree with this 100%!!!!
Here’s the part many of my friends don’t quite grasp IMO…. “I need an extra tag for bully bucks”. I agree it’s nice. I agree that I personally use it for that. But!!… by far & away there’s a better solution…. Take the time to bring youth hunters out or folks that find access difficult. I’m gonna say, 90% of the time- the “bully” or “cull” bucks get shot off my farms by OTHER PEOPLE. Here’s why…. So, there’s a 125” 10 point that’s 5.5 …. Could I just “roast him”? Sure! But if I’m being totally honest, im not gonna be excited like a kid would or a newer hunter or someone that hasn’t shot bucks like that. So - I bring them out & someone does that. Heck, maybe it’s a 6-7 year old that’s 160”. I know others will get way more out of it than I will.
Even in KANSAS we do this!!!! So, it’s 1 buck and you’re done!!!! “I can’t shoot culls”…. BS,…. We have more buddies, kids, locals, u name it that are glad to have an opportunity!!!! Most folks don’t have access to good land & anyone in earlier years of hunting is stoked to shoot a 4-5 year old with big body & maybe a 100-150” rack. We repeat this all over- iowa & ks. I probably watch 5-7 bucks get shot a year. Bringing kids out. Buddies, newer hunters, guests, u name it. Is it effort? Sure- the same as it is if I went hunting myself. Is it fun? Cmon- of course!!!! Doable for anyone? YEP!!!!

Youth hunting, new hunters, folks with limited access, whatever- if u want bullies gone, no reason it can’t get done. Zero. The culls I personally shoot…. Say there’s an OLD 80” 6 point…. I might say “he’s the worst deer on farm, I really don’t expect someone to put tag on him. I’ll hunt him”. & I make it a challenge & im excited to shoot him- I know I’m helping the farm and chasing a rare (junker…. sorry for the word) but he’s smart & it helps the farm & herd. When I do see the “junker” - I’m nervous & excited if I get him. Seriously. I’ll use MY TAG on that buck. Great system.
2 bucks for landowners is PLENTY. plus infinite party tags folks could transfer to me if I was a maniac…. How isn’t that enough? Cmon!! U need more bucks shot- bring kids & folks who don’t have opportunities….. there’s more of a supply of them than demand will ever meet. COMMON SENSE LOGIC IMHO.

I love this idea. The problem I have is I rarely have one dialed in to the point I can just bring in a shooter and get him gone. It takes time to hunt them down and there are very few people I'd trust to shoot the correct deer without me sitting next to them.
Right now, for example, I don't know of a single mature buck I would confidently say we could go get this weekend. Maybe if I had a string of cell cams, but I prefer not hunting that way.
How many hunts on average does it take for you to get a cull gone?

 

[Sligh1]

I love this idea. The problem I have is I rarely have one dialed in to the point I can just bring in a shooter and get him gone. It takes time to hunt them down and there are very few people I'd trust to shoot the correct deer without me sitting next to them.
Right now, for example, I don't know of a single mature buck I would confidently say we could go get this weekend. Maybe if I had a string of cell cams, but I prefer not hunting that way.
How many hunts on average does it take for you to get a cull gone?

I do sit with people if I question their abilities. Or have a seasoned hunter take them out.
I’d say 2-3 hunts is average. A lot of times I know the deer pretty well & it’s 1 & done. Theres occasions where it’s 4-5 hunts. So- average, ya, about that.
When folks don’t have lots of extra bucks (90% of cases I’d suspect) …. IMHO- steers me a little further towards “please, let’s remove a buck tag for me!!!!” 2 bucks for LO’s instead of 3. & only infinite party tags plus an urban buck tag…. It’s enough IMO.

 

[tall@wide]

I agree with this 100%!!!!
Here’s the part many of my friends don’t quite grasp IMO…. “I need an extra tag for bully bucks”. I agree it’s nice. I agree that I personally use it for that. But!!… by far & away there’s a better solution…. Take the time to bring youth hunters out or folks that find access difficult. I’m gonna say, 90% of the time- the “bully” or “cull” bucks get shot off my farms by OTHER PEOPLE. Here’s why…. So, there’s a 125” 10 point that’s 5.5 …. Could I just “roast him”? Sure! But if I’m being totally honest, im not gonna be excited like a kid would or a newer hunter or someone that hasn’t shot bucks like that. So - I bring them out & someone does that. Heck, maybe it’s a 6-7 year old that’s 160”. I know others will get way more out of it than I will.
Even in KANSAS we do this!!!! So, it’s 1 buck and you’re done!!!! “I can’t shoot culls”…. BS,…. We have more buddies, kids, locals, u name it that are glad to have an opportunity!!!! Most folks don’t have access to good land & anyone in earlier years of hunting is stoked to shoot a 4-5 year old with big body & maybe a 100-150” rack. We repeat this all over- iowa & ks. I probably watch 5-7 bucks get shot a year. Bringing kids out. Buddies, newer hunters, guests, u name it. Is it effort? Sure- the same as it is if I went hunting myself. Is it fun? Cmon- of course!!!! Doable for anyone? YEP!!!!

Youth hunting, new hunters, folks with limited access, whatever- if u want bullies gone, no reason it can’t get done. Zero. The culls I personally shoot…. Say there’s an OLD 80” 6 point…. I might say “he’s the worst deer on farm, I really don’t expect someone to put tag on him. I’ll hunt him”. & I make it a challenge & im excited to shoot him- I know I’m helping the farm and chasing a rare (junker…. sorry for the word) but he’s smart & it helps the farm & herd. When I do see the “junker” - I’m nervous & excited if I get him. Seriously. I’ll use MY TAG on that buck. Great system.
2 bucks for landowners is PLENTY. plus infinite party tags folks could transfer to me if I was a maniac…. How isn’t that enough? Cmon!! U need more bucks shot- bring kids & folks who don’t have opportunities….. there’s more of a supply of them than demand will ever meet. COMMON SENSE LOGIC IMHO.

I agree on youth hunters..I gave a youth turkey hunt away last year and may bring one in for a "cull" hunt this late season.

 

[Sligh1]

BINGO!!!! THIS is a cull buck!!! To the T!!!!!
He’s 4.5. He’s got rack of a normal 2.5 year old. He had a bad foot that likely was from ehd crack & would have died. & a happy hunter that was stoked to get him!! WIN/WIN/WIN!!!!!

 

[gunhunter]

This is my girlfriend’s special talent I think. Knowing that these deer are the local kings makes the chase just as fun.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Wi transplant]

Stud 7 pt needs gone hope to see him in gun seasons

Sent from my SM-G996U using Tapatalk

 

[Nightvision]

BINGO!!!! THIS is a cull buck!!! To the T!!!!!
He’s 4.5. He’s got rack of a normal 2.5 year old. He had a bad foot that likely was from ehd crack & would have died. & a happy hunter that was stoked to get him!! WIN/WIN/WIN!!!!!
View attachment 128907

View attachment 128905View attachment 128906

It a shame he had to go. If he survived EHD, you would assume he had built antibodies to it and his offspring may have been more likely to survive it.

 

[booneriverbucks]

Sorry, got busy with a great group of people harvesting some “cull” bucks along with a few great trophies over the last few days. Happy to report plenty of deer in our area after many thought it’d be a dud of a year. One of our best ever! I’m well aware you do the right thing Skip along with many others on here. My problem is with the people that take your words and use it to their own agenda. One landowners cull buck is another guys “mulligan”. I just think if we truly want to be a one buck state it has to be all in or we might as well stick with our current system. I just can’t justify thinking that it’s ok for me to tag one on October first knowing that I get 3 more months for a crack at another one and everybody else is just instantly done if they get one early in October. All of us are lucky enough as it is. No way I can square that up in my head.

 

[Sligh1]

It a shame he had to go. If he survived EHD, you would assume he had built antibodies to it and his offspring may have been more likely to survive it.

I get it. But - I do have “plenty of bucks” on my place …. A lot that are older with far better genetics & likely have been exposed to ehd. The reality of this buck… he would have suffered a tough long death & i had a hunter happy as a clam to shoot him. & he did get shot after the rut so his breeding days were behind him as he woulda been dead soon. Nothing is perfect but this worked out pretty well all things considered.

Sorry, got busy with a great group of people harvesting some “cull” bucks along with a few great trophies over the last few days. Happy to report plenty of deer in our area after many thought it’d be a dud of a year. One of our best ever! I’m well aware you do the right thing Skip along with many others on here. My problem is with the people that take your words and use it to their own agenda. One landowners cull buck is another guys “mulligan”. I just think if we truly want to be a one buck state it has to be all in or we might as well stick with our current system. I just can’t justify thinking that it’s ok for me to tag one on October first knowing that I get 3 more months for a crack at another one and everybody else is just instantly done if they get one early in October. All of us are lucky enough as it is. No way I can square that up in my head.

I know it’s a slippery slope & “cull buck” can get interpreted a million ways. Why I site examples. The one above… was 4.5 years old. He had a small rack that’s way below average. BUT!!!! There was a happy hunter that was stoked to shoot him. EXCITED. The deer wouldn’t have made it through either so…. Trophy to that hunter, meat not wasted & yes, I would consider “cull”. But that also means “trophy” in same regard as contradictory as that may seem. “Cull” & “trophy” absolutely can go together.

****& yes, when I discuss this topic outside of this website, I will use terms like “management buck” or “bully buck” & bring the age discussion into it. I am well aware of what words play better in the general public & I don’t want to distract with using a bit more controversial term as it just distracts from the discussion or education on management.

ON THE FLIP SIDE OF SHOOTING “CULL/Management bucks” !!! An issue that happens WAY WAY WAY more than “shooting a low scoring 4.5 or older”…. Most farms or many farms… those deer get passed and the best genetic (often younger) higher Scoring bucks get targeted and killed. See it ALL THE TIME!!!!…. Dudes pass a 135” 6.5 year old and shoot a 3.5 150”. Or a 160” 4.5. Then they will shout from the rooftop- “why would I shoot the lessor scoring buck?!?!! That’s my trophy!” Flush it out to “what’s best for herd, other hunters, future years, being a steward, etc” - sorry… this is black & white on THAT level…. Passing a 130” 6.5 & shooting a 145” 3.5 ….. one is wise, biologically backed, sound management, renewable (taking the mature animals & letting young go) & better stewardship. Period. Am I discounting “well it’s about the experience. I want to shoot a trophy!” NOT AT ALL. I get it. But some folks just want it both ways & there has to be management we can discuss that is based in facts & merit - even if we consider the emotional side of it. Have I shot bomber 3.5’s? YEP! Was I proud? YEP (when I started). Is it wiser, based with facts & biologically merited to shoot the older (& lessor scoring or any score) over the young stud? OF COURSE!!!
So- my point in a nutshell is: reality on the ground, across the state…. We could debate “cull buck or management buck” & even give a “negative spin” to it if desired. & heck, shooting a “trophy” can get a negative spin if that’s ones goal. But- the reality is: vastly more farms let the “culls” walk by and target the young best genetic deer vs the opposite. One has a factual, non-emotional basis for doing it. One ONLY has emotion. I’m not saying we can’t be in both camps or we all haven’t been in both camps (I have)…. It’s simply that we need a baseline management plan we can point to for those that do want facts, if they are seeking them, on how to best manage the deer herd.
Reality for average hunters who strive for better management…. Take “cull” out of vocabulary. Hunt on age. If u can grow 4-5 year olds and u want to manage… hunt 4-5 year olds and pass 2-3 year olds. Or whatever. The more we discuss age class in deer, the vastly better everyone’s hunting & health of our resource will be.

 

[tall@wide]

I get it. But - I do have “plenty of bucks” on my place …. A lot that are older with far better genetics & likely have been exposed to ehd. The reality of this buck… he would have suffered a tough long death & i had a hunter happy as a clam to shoot him. & he did get shot after the rut so his breeding days were behind him as he woulda been dead soon. Nothing is perfect but this worked out pretty well all things considered.


I know it’s a slippery slope & “cull buck” can get interpreted a million ways. Why I site examples. The one above… was 4.5 years old. He had a small rack that’s way below average. BUT!!!! There was a happy hunter that was stoked to shoot him. EXCITED. The deer wouldn’t have made it through either so…. Trophy to that hunter, meat not wasted & yes, I would consider “cull”. But that also means “trophy” in same regard as contradictory as that may seem. “Cull” & “trophy” absolutely can go together.

****& yes, when I discuss this topic outside of this website, I will use terms like “management buck” or “bully buck” & bring the age discussion into it. I am well aware of what words play better in the general public & I don’t want to distract with using a bit more controversial term as it just distracts from the discussion or education on management.

ON THE FLIP SIDE OF SHOOTING “CULL/Management bucks” !!! An issue that happens WAY WAY WAY more than “shooting a low scoring 4.5 or older”…. Most farms or many farms… those deer get passed and the best genetic (often younger) higher Scoring bucks get targeted and killed. See it ALL THE TIME!!!!…. Dudes pass a 135” 6.5 year old and shoot a 3.5 150”. Or a 160” 4.5. Then they will shout from the rooftop- “why would I shoot the lessor scoring buck?!?!! That’s my trophy!” Flush it out to “what’s best for herd, other hunters, future years, being a steward, etc” - sorry… this is black & white on THAT level…. Passing a 130” 6.5 & shooting a 145” 3.5 ….. one is wise, biologically backed, sound management, renewable (taking the mature animals & letting young go) & better stewardship. Period. Am I discounting “well it’s about the experience. I want to shoot a trophy!” NOT AT ALL. I get it. But some folks just want it both ways & there has to be management we can discuss that is based in facts & merit - even if we consider the emotional side of it. Have I shot bomber 3.5’s? YEP! Was I proud? YEP (when I started). Is it wiser, based with facts & biologically merited to shoot the older (& lessor scoring or any score) over the young stud? OF COURSE!!!
So- my point in a nutshell is: reality on the ground, across the state…. We could debate “cull buck or management buck” & even give a “negative spin” to it if desired. & heck, shooting a “trophy” can get a negative spin if that’s ones goal. But- the reality is: vastly more farms let the “culls” walk by and target the young best genetic deer vs the opposite. One has a factual, non-emotional basis for doing it. One ONLY has emotion. I’m not saying we can’t be in both camps or we all haven’t been in both camps (I have)…. It’s simply that we need a baseline management plan we can point to for those that do want facts, if they are seeking them, on how to best manage the deer herd.
Reality for average hunters who strive for better management…. Take “cull” out of vocabulary. Hunt on age. If u can grow 4-5 year olds and u want to manage… hunt 4-5 year olds and pass 2-3 year olds. Or whatever. The more we discuss age class in deer, the vastly better everyone’s hunting & health of our resource will be.

Spot on.

 

[booneriverbucks]

I personally agree 100% with everything you said. My problem is with the people that think a change in regulations is going to automatically increase their chances on “trophy” deer. Let’s just say mature deer to simplify things. Those of us who can even talk about the management of cull bucks have it great! I can see why many who have had it great for a long time are totally happy with thinking one buck a year is good enough for them. I get it. When you’ve been there and done that it’s not hard to get to that point. It’s awesome that you are so comfortable to get to the point where you allow others to come over and harvest cull bucks or whatever we want to call them. You have without a doubt reached the pinnacle of deer hunting and that is awesome. My issue is with all the people blaming the neighbors or blaming the regulations for why they can never harvest or consistently harvest mature deer. It was never supposed to be easy! That’s what makes it so awesome when you get one! I might have even been the same way at some time. I know for sure that I am %100 my biggest enemy for lack of success at times. It’s very easy to get on the internet and blame party hunting and multiple tags and multiple seasons and everything else under the sun for your lack of success. It’s a lot harder to look in the mirror and realize it’s you! Once you stop looking for excuses and start really figuring out what you are doing wrong things get easier. Are deer numbers down in the state? Of course they are in some areas. Do we need to do things to help increase the population? Of course. Do we have to cave to the complaints of everyone who is unhappy and think one or two regulation changes will make their hunting “better” or as I’d say easier? Of course not!

 

[booneriverbucks]

On a lighter note.. this year’s “cull” buck

 

[Hardwood11]

This one won’t get shot this year by us … no tags left . However, I’m a little up in the air on his age ?

Thoughts ? Belly, but big much rack …

 

[booneriverbucks]

Someone smarter should weigh in but I like to have the body and rack size both kinda match up before I decide either way. On this one rack is so small it could totally throw body size off. I’d pass no matter what tho. Seems like a chubby 2 year old to me.