Hey guys, been in a club a couple if years and curious what your thoughts are about having a biologist look at property and give you a good assessment of the deer in your property. We have some new members and trying to get them to understand the deer that are there and what should be killed or not. Thanks.

The hardest thing to manage is the people not the animals. I would do it, if the members would listen to the biologist.

My step-son is a wildlife biologist so since the price is right for me, I use one. I really wish he had gotten more into forestry since I spend more for a forester.

Look up Mark Buxton on Facebook and look through his posts.

This.. maybe if you have trail cam pics of what kind of deer the property holds,you could show the members the potential of the property so they can hAve a little more restraint. Good luck

I think it would help. We got NightHunter to our place and he gave some good habitat advice etc. He's a state biologist, not sure of his exact title.

We used a biologist from the state, every district has some. The guys listened and asked a lot of questions and listened to what he said when he answered. It makes a difference when the message comes from a professional I think. Before that it was kinda like well that's your opinion and why is it better than mine. Oh yeah it was free.

what is the going rate for a biologist to come access your property? just looking for a ballpark figure if it is possible. figure they are like everything else price will depend on how long, and what all he does. to be honest never had it done and don't know

Thanks guys. I don't know the rate but I think hearing an expert could help us set realistic guidelines. Everyone's opinion if a shooter is different but we also want to be fair. I also think it might help with planting, etc. I figured it couldn't hurt.

If you have what most people would consider average deer density for Alabama. The following will be close if you have what would be considered high deer density or what would be considered low deer density you will have to change the doe recommendation up or down accordingly. Kill at least one doe for 100 acres. Don't shoot bucks based on number of points learn to judge age and try not to shoot any bucks younger than 3.5 years old. If you are going to try and manage for only mature trophy deer you may need to up the doe harvest to one per 75 acres and try not to kill and bucks younger than 5.5 years old. Try and kill all of your required does as early in the season ass possible. I am not a biologist but have had suggestions from several over the last 25 years, and I did stay in a Holiday Inn Express once.

Contact nighthunter on here.....it's free.

If the land that guy manages is in Alabama it is some of the best land this state has to offer. Big corn fields and soybean fields and so few people hunting them they let him shoot the culls. Places like that are out of reach for 99% of the people on this site and in this state, and you will not get those results hunting the type of land those 99% hunt. But it is nice to dream.

Let me save you some time.... go kill 575 dozen does and you'll start seeing bigger bucks. There ya go.

I live in North Alabama and joined a hunting club five years ago. Just before I got in the club they had a state biologist come look at the property. He said to shoot does until you don't see them anymore and you will still have plenty.

Heres my two cents on shootin does around here.. shoot a ga zillion does and you wont see deer for years.. they get nocturnal My in father in law joined a 1200 acre club that guys had given up by a previous group of hunters.. You couldnt buy a deer for 3 years and the deer that did step out would look up directly up after stepping into fields or open woods. Spooky was not even the word. 390 out of 395 trail cam pics woul be at night.I just feel like theres so much pressure all season here in alabama given the whole shoot a ton of does factor can hurt you more than help you. Midwest states are totally different ballgame. Given there state regulations, it seems like those deer are different species after hunting in bama your whole life.I could go on and on but its nothing these guys dont know. Around here sometimes i feel like the more.unpressured does you have the better.. Maybe take out few with bows and not on food plots

I guess the reason to shoot does is the same reason farmers, culls all there heifers and a few momma cows every year and doesn't buy back... Won't be In the business long like that..

I sent you a PM.

Most State biologists come for free...
I had our #1 State guy AND our local guy come once...learned a ton

This...I had the same thing. took over a brown and down lease of 750ac. First year the deer walked around looking in trees.(what was still there) 4 years latter of not shooting does, I have seen 55 deer with 8 being bucks. Have had 2 or 3 nice bucks each year and 6-8 fawns make it each year. I have added 9 food plots with 4 being year round clover. With the ajoining woods and crops there are about 40 deer on 1200 ac. We have taken 8 this year. The yotes get a couple.

Now that will make for good hunting. LMAO.