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Old Buck

Old Buck

Life Member
Well, I haven't been able to find a mature buck for quite some time so I decided to go back to improving the deer/habitat balance and local sex ratio by harvesting more of our excess does. This is the result of four days of effort. Four were taken with a smoke pole, the rest by arrows.

A timely ice storm/snow storm was perfect for keeping them 'on ice' until ready for processing.

I also got lots of great ice storm/snow storm painting background shots so be watching for them in future paintings!
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Good hunting,
Old Buck
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WOW I heard of that just tonight, way to go, that looks like a blast. I hope to fill a few doe tags this weekend as well, congratulations
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Holy cow! That ought to make a dent in the doe population
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That had to be a blast. Are you taking them from a blind?
 
Most were taken while in one of my blinds. Let me explain. First, in my old age, I've become a bit of a pansy. When spending an afternoon outdoors that propane heater sure can feel good (is being in a blind being outdoors?). Second, I often have tons of gear along and can switch from bow to spotting scope to digital still camera to muzzleloader to digital video as the need arises.

One day alone I shot over a hundred stills of cardinals. The same day I harvested the gobbler and three does with a bow. I also took dozens of photos of bluejays, fox sparrows, slate colored juncos, starlings, whitetail and any other wildlife that happened by.

It was one of my most enjoyable days of the season even though I never saw a decent buck. I find that I am much more likely to have a great outdoor experience if I broaden the spectrum of things I enjoy while out there. Sometimes it is a gorgeous sunrise, the flight of an eagle or watching the norther lights as I walk home that makes my day.

I know that is more than you asked for but I think you can better see why I love being out there so much.

So, Iowa whitetailers, get out there and start having the time of your life!
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Old Buck
 
WOW LARRY!

Couple of questions.... How did you go about your assessment of the herd sex ratio on your property prior to setting your goals for the doe reduction? Are your goals to obtain a true one/one buck to doe ratio?

Congrats on the doe harvests and it sounds like your becoming an expert at making the most of your time outdoors.
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gundog, you can buy as many antlerless tags as you want if the quota for the county isn't filled. First one is $26 and the rest are $11. Shoot em up!
 
Ghost,

Great question because this might not be the best thing to do in every location.

I'm outdoors year-round and continuously do counts when I'm watching/photographing/videotaping/hunting whitetail. I count numbers but also sex and age ratios. Usually I keep track of bucks/does/fawns.

Actually my place isn't too bad but I am near a large property where I have not yet convinced all those in power that they need to reduce the doe component of their herd. Consequently, when the weather gets cold and snowy like it is now many of the deer on that property where food is quite limited move to my place to take advantage of great cover and great food. I am actually helping control their doe numbers and improve their sex ratio. I'm just doing it on my place.

So to all reading this realize these decisions need to be made on a case by case basis. To really get a good understanding see my post in the QDM section on the new book out. It is called Deer Management 101 - Managing Your Way To Better Hunting by Dr. Grant Woods. In my opinion if you want to go to the next step and make the transformation from hunter to hunter/manager there isn't a better information source out there.

Good hunting and good deer management!
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Old Buck
 
Ghost,

Ooops! Sorry I missed one of your questions. Yes, my goal is a one to one sex ratio. Studies on old American Indian sites have revealed that the pre-settlement sex ratio was very close to one to one. So this not only makes for good management and a balanced herd but a truly more natural herd.

One to one is achievable if you have a large enough area which gets back to educating your neighbors and fellow hunters. That is why I'm trying to get that book into the hands of my neighbors and fellow hunters. Can you imagine what we'd have if everyone in the state understood what is in that book? I guess not because most of you probably haven't read it yet.
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Old Buck
 
Shovelbuck,

Actually, to tell you the truth, I've lost count. Let me say that we have way too many does in this particular area but I am doing everything I can to bring the herd in balance with the habitat and to move the sex ratio closer to one to one.

Old Buck
 
Limb Chicken is right on like usual. I got all the tags you could get before then I started working on the 1000 additioinal antlerless tag allotment for my county. By the way, that allotment for the county you hunt in should give you a clue concerning the need to shoot does in your general area. If you want to help out look at the counties that have high allotments and have lots of unsold antlerless tags. That is where you can help this year and next.

Here is the address, http://hf.centraltechnology.net/ia_quota/app/resDeerList.do. Note that Decatur County for example still has over 1,000 antlerless tags left as of right now.

Old Buck
 
so can I still use my antlerless tag I bought back in November or do I need a special one to hunt now. I'm confussed!!
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