Where do all of the 4.5 yo bucks go?

[gekko man]

It seems like every year there is always an abundance of 2.5 and 3.5 yo bucks.

When they turn 4.5 yoa, does a space ship scoop em up and take to a pasture in a parallel universe?

What I am really asking is......when the rut starts, do those younger bucks in the bachelor groups get ran off to other areas and set themselves up in areas where a more dominant buck may have been scooped up by the mighty now hunter?

Is this why you see so many new bucks when the rut starts?

Your thoughts please!!!

I

[Bonesplitter]

They didn't get old by being dumb! The older they get the more they stick tight to the cover and move less during daylight hours. I don't believe they are strictly nocturnal but learn to adapt and use travel routes and their nose very efficiently.

[ckuehl]

I would hope management at its best, but I am not sure. Good question.

[qzilla]

Lots of answers to this but, one of the most common and correct answers is that they die.

Once they get into the breeding pool heavily their chances of survival go down dramatically. The odds of deer getting to 5.5yrs old is pretty small. An 8.5yr old deer is about a 2% chance for example.

Now, they also get pushed away by more dominant deer in the area once they become a threat and they also range more. So there are lots of things that happen to them but, them dying either by hunter or natural causes is a hgh probability.

[gekko man]

Lots of answers to this but, one of the most common and correct answers is that they die.

Once they get into the breeding pool heavily their chances of survival go down dramatically. The odds of deer getting to 5.5yrs old is pretty small. An 8.5yr old deer is about a 2% chance for example.

Now, they also get pushed away by more dominant deer in the area once they become a threat and they also range more. So there are lots of things that happen to them but, them dying either by hunter or natural causes is a hgh probability.

That's what I am looking for.

A buck is considered mature at 3.5 yoa. So....on a free ranging property that is bow hunted, if you get an opportunity at a nice 3.5 yo, you better take him?

This year I am hunting a small piece of property that I own in Erath County and my thoughts are that if I do get an opportunity at a nice 3.5 year old, I will take him.

I had a nice 3.5 yo 10 point on game cam a few years ago and I bever saw him again after that year.

Any of the above could have happened to him.

[qzilla]

It all just depends on the property and the goals of the landowner or property manager.

The more you let go the better chance of them coming back.

You also just have to know that depending on how large the tract of land is will determine what you can do if anything management wise.

If it is small and low fenced the best thing you can do is habitat management so the deer really want to come or stay on your place then you can shoot the best of what you get.

[gekko man]

It all just depends on the property and the goals of the landowner or property manager.

The more you let go the better chance of them coming back.

You also just have to know that depending on how large the tract of land is will determine what you can do if anything management wise.

If it is small and low fenced the best thing you can do is habitat management so the deer really want to come or stay on your place then you can shoot the best of what you get.

I own 30 acres and my buddy next to me has 30 acres. We have about 100 acres that we have to hunt. I have 3 feeders on the 60 acres and they run 12 months out of the year. I have put in about a 3 acres food pllt this year.

I have bow hunted Central Texas for the past 8 years and I have taken four 4.5 yo bucks during that time. This year I just could not justify the money (I am in a lawsuit with a major gas gatherer in the area/ they cut down about 150 of my oak trees and have not paid me for them) and I decided to hunt my small place.

Reality is that I hope to draw bucks in with the food plot and if a get a chance to take a nice 3.5 yo buck, I will. It would be a bonus if he is 4.5. I can only do so much to manage this place when I have neighbors who will also take younger bucks.

I have never killed any buck younger than 4.5 yoa. This year may be a first.

[qzilla]

In that situation, I would just shoot what makes you happy! I wouldn't worry about "management" I would worry about attracting bucks.

[gekko man]

Thanks Quad......

Can you please bring one of those trash bucks from your place to Erath County. You can drop him off on County Road 125 near the X ray Station?