I agree on bully bucks -- that they certainly exist. It's just that I don't think we can -- just be noticing a few observations -- figure out exactly which ones they are a high percentage of the time. And I don't think most people correctly deem the genetic potential of the buck they may deem to be a bully buck (or correctly deem the age). I also don't think most bully bucks chase other bucks out of very large areas -- and keep them out of there all the time.
I had a 135 inch "bully buck" I watched, for instance, chase a 170 inch buck out of a clover field every chance he got three years ago. But the 170 inch buck didn't leave my farm because of it. He just shied away from that field. The next year, I shot that same bully buck and he grossed nearly 170 inches typical. If I'd have shot him as a 135 inch what would I have accomplished? I say it is silly to shoot a buck that you don't really want to shoot. If one KNOWS a buck is older than say 6.5 years, and one KNOWS that that buck is keeping other really good bucks out of a main hunting area -- or is breaking all their racks up -- and one is happy to shoot that deer, then I say go for it. But, it is so hard for most people to know how old these bucks are once they get past that 4.5 year mark and so hard to know what kind of buck they may become that I think it is usually best to let them grow into old age whenever possible (into that 7-10 year old age class). Nothing wrong with shooting a 7 or 8 year old 130 inch "beater buck" though, in my opinion -- what a real trophy that is! I just think judging these mostly younger aggressive bucks we call “bully’s” and deeming them forever inferior is silly when we don't really know until we let them grow and let them show what they can offer when they reach their full potential in years.
Like Dedgeez says, too, much of the breeding, in so many areas in general is being done by bucks in the 3.5 and younger age bracket (when the older bucks may be with a doe the younger ones are with all the other does coming into season). So many people lose sight of that. With no idea of the potential of these bucks at these younger ages, we take what we get in terms of genetics. And trying to control it by shooting what we see as ugly or low potential "cull" bucks that may be middle age is just counter-productive and backward thinking. This really does nothing for the fellow with an average to large size piece of land --say anything less than 500 acres, and free ranging Iowa deer. You need property tucked inside a deer fence for that to work, in my opinion. And -- a highly trained eye and intimate knowledge of the animal in question. And the does contribute equally too. Sometimes that's easy to forget.
What I used to think about deer staying “at home”, and on my property, has since been washed away with the help of advanced and up to the second scouting cameras with instantaneous emailing technology. I have seen several bucks that I used to think stayed on my farm and in my sanctuary almost all of the time that I have come to find out are roaming one or even two miles away in all directions of the compass for at least a few days each year. We have seen this on multiple farms when running these systems. Nearly every buck -- if not every single one -- on your farm is going to roam a long way off too most likely at least once during the year and possibly for several days or weeks. There is nothing that can be done, in my opinion to stop it. If the first doe of the season is in heat and upwind a mile away from your farm on November 01 that is plenty reason enough for your “at home” buck to hit the road jack! It happens. While he’s gone searching a 1.5 year old deer with bad genes breeds a doe that just comes into heat on your farm. Tough deal but we can’t control everything.
Guess I got off track there a bit. Back on -- the absolute best thing anyone can do to help themselves out with trying to shoot a monster buck, in my opinion, is to simply shoot bucks in that 4.5 year old and older age bracket. It’s that simple. This way, at least all the bucks get to show what they can do and most will show something pretty impressive by the time they get to that age! Oh, and shooting some does is pretty important too! Keep enough to bring in the bucks but not so many that they are like flies at the picnic table.
Good luck and have fun….Rich
