Time to kill does?

My son and I have been hunting small family acreage since 2010, we killed 3 does the first 2 yrs but laid off since we only had 3 does showing up on trail cam 2012-2014. Over the last couple of years we have had numerous yearling spikes show up around October and hang around until the rut starts to kick in, then only one or two remain for a short period of time.

Now, there have been no bucks show up on trail cam or seen in person for more than one season except for this year there is a nice 8pt that was on trail cam last spring, we'll have some nice bucks show up in spring, stay until the rut starts to kick in then never seen again.

I read an article that stated that if you have a lot of yearling spikes coming around that it was either A)they are coming from another area due to lack of food, B) too many does which are being bred late in the season.

I have noticed that we have around 6 different does showing up on trail cam and 5 bucks at this time, so is it time to drop a few does?

Nope sounds like your pressuring a small piece too much

I would agree but; we saw more deer and had more showing up on trail cam last year than the other 4 seasons combined. This year has been even better than last year so far.

Our 20 acres is surrounded by over 1000 acres of woods and water on 3 sides.

Side note: last season we had 6 yearling spikes and a yearling 3pt show up in October, this was along with the 6-7 other bucks(2.5 -3.5 yrs old)that had been showing up on trail cam since February.
This year we have had 3 new yearlings show up with the 5 bucks that were here already here this Spring, 0f course none of these deer were showing up last year except for an 8pt.

You can't assess a population using 20 acres, and any does you shoot won't affect the demographics of the area either all else being constant.

I know that when I have asked questions about hunting this small acreage on here in the past several have stated something similar to what you have stated and that basically just shoot what ever we want as long as it is legal as our odds of seeing big deer is slim.

your odds are seeing big deer are slim, if you hunt the crap out of it, and shoot whatever you want.....

That's what I thought as well but some on here thought that since we are hunting such a small area we will most likely never see the same buck twice nor see any "trophy" size bucks.

The only reason I would shoot a doe is if I wanted one to eat. Otherwise, I'd be happy just seeing deer while I wait on a buck.

If you can afford to set up some feeding areas, and keep those does around, there will be some decent bucks coming through. I don't buy into the having less does makes the rut start earlier, and makes it more intense. Kil em if you want, but those does you hold may be the ones to pull a good deer on your small piece of property.

That was/has been my thought this whole time, these does are coming in all hours of the day, if they continue to do so when the rut comes around then the bucks should show up as well, but I have had several (some on here and some in person) tell me that because I am hunting such a small area that what I kill will not have any impact on the herd.

The best hunting I have Ever seen was on 500ac they shot NO does on. Their neighbors shot does, so all the does piled up in this 500 ac. It was like a zoo come rut. I saw 26deer in 3.5 hrs on one morning most were bucks chasing does in every direction. Like N2 said if you need meat shoot a doe, otherwise big boy will come to check the ladies once they start to get right! Just enjoy the hunting and Good luck!