I think you’re trying to extract meaningful insight from likely poor data. Without tags and high fines, I don’t believe any of the published data. I don’t even believe you can find “trend” from chite data.
This is the truth. You need not log your deer kills as long as you don't process them. If you have your own land and handle the processing yourself, then why log any? Other than a game warden might pay you a visit, I just don't see it as an effect method.
2 doe's a day is a ridiculous limit. I just don't get the mindset that the wholesale slaughter of doe's is an effective deer management tool.
The limit does not mean you should shoot that many. It allows hunters and landowners more flexibility in managing their properties.
Based on what?
I will give you an example. I had a state biologist come look at my lease once. She spent about an hour on it. Looked around, said, kill 15 doe's this season, and then we can age the jawbones and make a recommendation. We have not killed 15 deer a season out there since I have been in the club beginning in 2018. To replace 15 doe's, how many do I need to remain and get bred? 30. Assuming all 30 have twins, and all the fawns survive.
Deer density in Shelby Co, when I can find it, was 30 to 60 deer per sq. mile. I have 1.6 sq miles on my lease. So that means I have 48 deer on the low side and 96 on the high. I am certainly not on the high side based upon what I see. If my ratio of bucks to doe is 3 to 1, then I have 12 bucks, and 36 doe's, on the low side. It the ratio is closer, then my buck number increase and doe number decreases. 36-15 is 21. That is not enough doe's to replace the 15 killed.
Not with coyotes and no ability to manage habitat.
You can't tell me a limit of 236 doe's to 3 bucks works. That's how many a person could theoretically kill in Alabama. But go to most hunting clubs, and guess what, people will kill 2 doe's a day, every day they can. And then in a few years wonder why they don't see any deer or bucks.
