We got 180 acres about 5 years ago, historically this has been great hunting land. We purchased about 5 years ago, when we first purchased the property we had many mature deer as well as many shooter bucks. Over the last 5 years that has been changing, we're seeing slightly more deer but they're getting younger every year. We typically only take 1-3 deer off the property every year (1 nice buck hopefully and a couple does). We haven't changed anything about the land since taking it over (food plots, trail cams, hunting pressure). The property has a lot of deer and it's nearly impossible to go for a hunt and not see anything. However, every deer we're seeing is between 1-2. The territorial bucks that dominate our land are all small 2 year old 6 or 8 pointers chasing off 1 year old forks, no does or bucks older than 2.
Previously the land was owned by a farmer who would let anyone shoot as many deer off it as they could find, we hunted it while this was going on and we saw less total deer but more mature deer. Then a hunter bought it and resold to us after only two years of ownership (sold because he couldn't get nonresident tags). The first couple years, we had mature deer and monster bucks roaming freely, the deer population is more today than when we bought it, but as I said everything is 1-2 years old. Thinking during gun season we need to thin out the young does and get the population to a point where the mature bucks will be interested in returning. Looking for feedback from someone who has had a similar experience and how to navigate this. Thank you!
Previously the land was owned by a farmer who would let anyone shoot as many deer off it as they could find, we hunted it while this was going on and we saw less total deer but more mature deer. Then a hunter bought it and resold to us after only two years of ownership (sold because he couldn't get nonresident tags). The first couple years, we had mature deer and monster bucks roaming freely, the deer population is more today than when we bought it, but as I said everything is 1-2 years old. Thinking during gun season we need to thin out the young does and get the population to a point where the mature bucks will be interested in returning. Looking for feedback from someone who has had a similar experience and how to navigate this. Thank you!
