NDA Deer Report: Nationwide mature buck kill hits record high
The 2019-2020 season saw a near-record buck harvest of 2.9 million, with a record 39% of those bucks estimated to be 3½ years or older.
The 2019-2020 season saw a near-record buck harvest of 2.9 million, with a record 39% of those bucks estimated to be 3½ years or older.
Produces a ‘what the heck’ moment for the author.
A chance antler find causes this blogger to investigate the variables affecting antler drop.
With 11 more CWD positives so far this fall – all white-tailed bucks – can antler-point restrictions survive in 2019?
For the writer, the value of a rub is that it tells where a buck has been and in which direction he was heading.
Author getting tuned up for Saturday’s bow opener in Ohio.
That’s a sign the state’s northern herd has regenerated.
The overall deer harvest was also up 10 percent, to nearly 370,000, with bowhunters accounting for about a third of the harvest.
When it comes to the growth cycle and outcome of an individual buck’s antler formation, the most crucial and overlooked element, by far, is the role of the doe.
The 2017 season structure designates Ashland, Iron and Vilas counties and the eastern half of Eau Claire County as buck-only.
Probably the two biggest misconceptions about culling to improve antler genetics are the “spike” debate and environmental influences.
Basically, it boils down to costs vs. benefits, and how the variances in this ratio affect buck movements during the breeding season in countless ways. But it doesn’t end there, as we’re well aware of how buck activity comes to life around the end of October.