How many ppl on here can explain why an out-of-balance sex ratio is bad for a deer herd? From a biology standpoint? List the reasons. (Ppl think not shooting immature bucks is all about "trophy mgmt", but it's NOT.)

A few things... biologists know more about the biology of a deer herd today than yesteryear. And, Alabama's deer herd isn't the same as it was years ago. And, it doesn't help that many hunters do not participate in reporting their kill. "It encroached on my rights!!", they stated. GMAB. It's your responsibility as a hunter and a conservationist to contribute!

I go along with the state's agenda as they're just trying to do the right thing. But I manage my own deer herd based off what I know and I've done a lot to educate myself about the biology of a deer herd. I'm no biologist! But man I read the QDMA (now the NDA) publications and went to seminars and read everything I could get my hands/eyes on about everything deer herd and hunting related.

So I truly put the health of the herd before myself and my other hunters. It's what we all should do. Anyway, I keep detailed records of what's killed. What are the harvested doe weights by age? Are does dropping singles, twins or triplets? It matters!! What are the harvested buck weights by age? AND MORE information is collected and kept each year about our deer herd. It helps me know where I stand in managing my deer herd.

We shoot bucks by age, NOT antler points and if you can't tell the difference in a 3.5 yr old or young from a 4.5 yr old and older, you're not hunting on our land. It's not that hard. If a mistake is made, it's not hell, fire and damnation! Let's learn. And when you don't shoot bucks 3.5 yrs of age or younger, the opportunity to shoot 4.5 year old and older are very high.

I know some of you don't have the land to manage, but if you could talk to your neighbors and get educated and committed, things will turn around.

So, I manage my own deer herd and I'm not like a democrat expecting the gov to tell me how to live and manage my life. If we need to shoot does, we shoot does. Drop 5 does at a time if you can or IF you need to. Get your doe numbers shot early in the year, IF YOU NEED TO shoot does, base off criteria (Criteria is too much to go over here!).

Can a kid shoot an immature buck? Sure, but if they're going to hunt a few times during the year, WAIT... I promise, a good 3.5 yr old or older WILL show up and the kid can shoot that buck, which will be a good buck, instead of a spike. But if they want to shoot a spike, then hell, don't teach patience, like you should, and well, hell... shoot a damn spike and we'll celebrate.

Bucks? We only allow three mature bucks per membership, however, we allow for the killing of older mature bucks with less-than-desirable antlers if he takes you over three for the membership. I am all about taking mature bucks... esp if he's not something special antler-wise when he's 4.5 yrs old or older. But a min of three good quality bucks per yr per membership.

So I really don't know what the state is doing... I don't care. I manage my own deer herd and I put my deer herd before hunters and I use proven biological guidelines and they DON'T come from me, but Grant Woods, MSU, Auburn, University of TX, University of GA and some great biologists in this state.

I am happy with my results? YES!!! We see bucks... lots of them. We are happy with our way of management. It just takes discipline and dedication. Oh, a desire to learn about deer mgmt!