AIRASSAULT
PMA Member
well.. last years Deer Classic blew me away.. this year oughta be interesting also.. hopefully they figure out something to create more wall space for hanging the deer heads this year because there were tons of them laying on the floor in the scorers area last year because they didn't have enough room for them
SEIowaDeerslayer
Well-Known Member
I agree, I'm seeing more big bucks while hunting but LESS deer in general.
ironwood
Active Member
Does this tie into part of your other tread and micro managing? I will say that before I started managing and controlling hunting style in a given area my level of success was lower. Also the age structure has improved for me. I would expect the number of two hundered inch deer to continue to climb. I hope someday I can go over the top myself.
On my land, we do our best to let 3-4 year olds with amazing genetics pass. I'd rather shoot a 140" ten point that's 6&1/2 over a 175" 13 point that's 3 or 4 years old (I wouldn't shoot him period). I think there's more guys doing stuff like that and letting those dumb BUT high-scoring young bucks go SO they can really get to their potential. Just my thought.
jclaws
PMA Member
i looked through the iowa whitetail archives at the big buck contest and when it started i think 150 was the winner.The average has been going up every since,especially when saskguy won with 237" wow that was a crazy year.I never saw last years results but im sure mr simmons won that one.Im sure alot of it is management,you can only shoot as big a buck as you are willing to pass on,meaning that every 200 inch buck was a 130 -140 at some time.My wife shot a 125 this year and i was excited as any deer i have taken,because she was.So i would never talk someone down for shooting any deer they want to take.But overall i believe alot of people are passing on good deer.
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nannyslayer
New Member
I know my buddies sure have raised the bar on what I call a monster buck anymore. :grin:
Daver
PMA Member
To me, the number one thing that leads to more super top end bucks is simply not shooting 1 1/2 year old bucks. Now there are many other things that can also be done to further the chance that a buck goes "mega", but I say if that buck can get through his first fall with antlers then it's a numbers game from there.
More guys are passing on more young bucks and then combine greatly improved nutrition, at least in certain areas, via foodplots, etc, and holding back some land as sanctuary and there are more of these super bucks out there. I bow hunted deer for quite a few years before I even saw anything close to 150", let alone over 200". Back in the late 80's where I was hunting most EVERY buck would get whacked by EVERY hunter that I knew that had a chance at him. 20 or more does could walk by unscathed, but the first raghorn down the trail got it.
Sometime in the early to mid 90's I took a fair amount of ribbing from guys I knew when I told them I passed up a shot at a buck, albeit a forgettable 6 pointer or something. They really did not believe I didn't shoot, etc. Now all of these guys and all of those properties are under some form of management or self regulation and every year there are 2-5 135"'ish on up bucks seen in the area every year.
More guys are passing on more young bucks and then combine greatly improved nutrition, at least in certain areas, via foodplots, etc, and holding back some land as sanctuary and there are more of these super bucks out there. I bow hunted deer for quite a few years before I even saw anything close to 150", let alone over 200". Back in the late 80's where I was hunting most EVERY buck would get whacked by EVERY hunter that I knew that had a chance at him. 20 or more does could walk by unscathed, but the first raghorn down the trail got it.
Sometime in the early to mid 90's I took a fair amount of ribbing from guys I knew when I told them I passed up a shot at a buck, albeit a forgettable 6 pointer or something. They really did not believe I didn't shoot, etc. Now all of these guys and all of those properties are under some form of management or self regulation and every year there are 2-5 135"'ish on up bucks seen in the area every year.
Iowabowtech
Active Member
Heard of a lot of big ones this year. Several from Iowa, Illinois, Wisconsin and Ohio seems to be having a particularly good year from the accounts I've seen. Can't remember if it was on this forum or another but somebody posed the question..."when will we see the first 300" whitetail"?
I think the sanctuaries are as important as letting young deer walk. One of my neighbors turned his farm into a sanctuary 5-6 years ago and the numbers of mature deer in the area is incredible now. We don't have alot of non-typicals in my area so not sure we'll ever see a 200" but there were 3 typicals over 170 around this year. Two of them are still alive, I shot the third during second shotgun.
sethgade280
New Member
I agree. I passed many bucks this season that are 3-4 year olds that sported awesome racks. Let them go and they will be world class at the age of 5-6. Had to do, but if people do it....there are some studs running around with great genes and potental
Like the Double Bull guys used to say on their videos...killing tomorrows trophies today. That is funny :grin:
nannyslayer
New Member
Wasn't the Albia buck a 300 incher?
tracker
Life Member
Management has definately improved in some areas but I also believe more people know what they have before they go out. Look at all the trail cameras out now. I have a good idea a month before bow season starts where I want to go depending on what I have on camera. Less people shooting 150" deer when they know a booner is in the area.
Windwalker
Life Member
The trail cameras do help,lets you set your sights on one buck . Its tough talking your buddys that hunt your place to pass up 140s bucks .Had one that walked away miffed that I was setting the bar for 170s. Just glad the shotgunners are letting the small bucks walk now if they will just pass some young super stars . Micro management can work you just need safe areas and stay clear of them .
