Originally Posted by chevydude2015
Originally Posted by Pwyse
Originally Posted by jawbone
I ask my self two questions about a buck when deciding whether to shoot him or not:
1). Is he mature? That is why if you are going to be serious about a trophy plan you should learn to age them in the field, then shoot the mature ones whether they are a huge spike or a 10. Mature bucks, that aren't trophy quality don't do anything but eat up food that could be used by young, growing deer so take em out.
2). Do I feel like fooling with him? I'm getting old so it is important to me to have someone there to help me load, etc. Usually, there is a front-end loader on a tractor to use if no one else is around. If I'm by myself I always check to see that it is operable before I go.



I would add to your 1st point… it’s not always wise to take them out whether they are a huge spike or a 10. From what I’ve learned from Matt and others here and other places, it’s better to have an older age class of breeding bucks. So don’t just shoot him because he’s old, shoot him because he is old and has a rack that is a trophy to you. Even if he has 10” spikes, there’s no science saying his offspring will have 10” spikes. Maybe he breeds with a doe that has good genes and she throws a buck that has 10” brow tines. Who knows?

Science does say that an older age class of bucks leads to a better fawn survival rate. And with the coyote epidemic that’s a big deal if you ask me. Plus I doubt your deer are starving. The mature buck eating the food isn’t really that big of a deal is it?


Just passing along something Ive learned over the last 3-4 years or so. But I’m definitely no expert.


From what I understand a property can only support a certain number of mature deer even with a strict habitat management program + food plots. Mature deer don't like to be "crowded". Again, someone correct me if I'm wrong here. I do agree you won't change a herd's genetics by shooting a 5yr old spike but you will free up a spot for another mature deer and have that much more forage available for other deer with better potential.

There’s truth in both.

Having older age class bucks in the population is good for herd health. Don’t matter what is on their head.

If you stockpile mature bucks in summer, they’re going to disperse in fall. Facts. Even in superb habitat, some will shift because they simply won’t all coexist together.

As long as you have other mature deer to fill the void removing deer you don’t desire is ok.

Genetics is so complicated in free ranging deer culling isn’t even worth bringing up as a management tool. Every study has replicated the same results.

I leave it right here. Decide what your harvest objectives are and stick with that, regardless of headgear.