Hi,
I would let those 3.5 year old 8-pointers grow into whatever they turn into. Keep in mind, not all deer a guy sees in the field as an 8-pointer will stay that way. In many cases, an 8 one year, will be a 11, 9, or 15 pointer the next. I passed on solid 8 point 150 class buck one year, for instance -- then spied on him throughout the next year via trail camera, and, voila, he became a 17 pointer, with a 5 x 6 main frame with a gross score in the 160’s! There is no way to make accurate future size and point predictions of a given deer based on speculative guesses on what they presently look like. ….
I have noticed the same things in different locales over time. Some areas seem to have more 10’s, more 8’s or whatever. However, I’ve not noticed this trend to become iron- stamped and never-ending in a region. Over time, these things change, as wondering bucks of various size and ages breed area does. And don’t forget, most bucks on a given property aren’t born there! Most bucks settle territories as youngsters, having been kicked out of the family group by momma doe. These yearling bucks take up residence where they are allowed to and are constantly bringing a change of genetic code to the deer in the area.
I strongly do not agree with the common notion that it takes huge chunks of land to grow trophy deer in Iowa! I have seen way too many exceptions to this. I have seen many 40 and 80 acre parcels out produce parcels 2-4 times bigger in term of trophy buck production. The main ingredient needed for Iowa deer to get huge and high scoring has nothing to do with genetic antler point traits and everything to do with habitat management. That is, the best properties are always those that have everything a buck needs to live at least 4.5 years: food, water and HEAVY cover. No matter how many points an Iowa buck has the genetic traits for, he will be BIG in 4.5 years and will usually have a rack few people would pass on. Take for example, a buck I was lucky enough to shoot a few days ago. This buck I passed on last year as a low 150’s 8-pointer. This year he retained his 8 pointer status and will likely miss the B & C records by just an inch or so (lucky for me, there are still some really dumb buck wondering around where I hunt)! This farm has produced several bucks in the 160’s over the past few years yet is significantly smaller than 100 acres in size. It DOES NOT take big acres to grow big bucks in the Hawkeye state. It just takes quality habitat and letting those deer live long enough to get big.
Good luck in the woods!
Best,
Rich Waite
I would let those 3.5 year old 8-pointers grow into whatever they turn into. Keep in mind, not all deer a guy sees in the field as an 8-pointer will stay that way. In many cases, an 8 one year, will be a 11, 9, or 15 pointer the next. I passed on solid 8 point 150 class buck one year, for instance -- then spied on him throughout the next year via trail camera, and, voila, he became a 17 pointer, with a 5 x 6 main frame with a gross score in the 160’s! There is no way to make accurate future size and point predictions of a given deer based on speculative guesses on what they presently look like. ….
I have noticed the same things in different locales over time. Some areas seem to have more 10’s, more 8’s or whatever. However, I’ve not noticed this trend to become iron- stamped and never-ending in a region. Over time, these things change, as wondering bucks of various size and ages breed area does. And don’t forget, most bucks on a given property aren’t born there! Most bucks settle territories as youngsters, having been kicked out of the family group by momma doe. These yearling bucks take up residence where they are allowed to and are constantly bringing a change of genetic code to the deer in the area.
I strongly do not agree with the common notion that it takes huge chunks of land to grow trophy deer in Iowa! I have seen way too many exceptions to this. I have seen many 40 and 80 acre parcels out produce parcels 2-4 times bigger in term of trophy buck production. The main ingredient needed for Iowa deer to get huge and high scoring has nothing to do with genetic antler point traits and everything to do with habitat management. That is, the best properties are always those that have everything a buck needs to live at least 4.5 years: food, water and HEAVY cover. No matter how many points an Iowa buck has the genetic traits for, he will be BIG in 4.5 years and will usually have a rack few people would pass on. Take for example, a buck I was lucky enough to shoot a few days ago. This buck I passed on last year as a low 150’s 8-pointer. This year he retained his 8 pointer status and will likely miss the B & C records by just an inch or so (lucky for me, there are still some really dumb buck wondering around where I hunt)! This farm has produced several bucks in the 160’s over the past few years yet is significantly smaller than 100 acres in size. It DOES NOT take big acres to grow big bucks in the Hawkeye state. It just takes quality habitat and letting those deer live long enough to get big.
Good luck in the woods!
Best,
Rich Waite
