Range conditions this year compared to normal year

[sq2shooter]

I posted this under, the Should this be my first bow kill thread. Id like some opinions on this--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Let me ask a hypothetical question! Can you automatically assume that if the deer is 4.5 and a nice looking buck THAT given normal rainfall for that area next year that the deer will actually be a better buck at 5.5. The range conditions are exceptional this year, probably the best int 20 years, if next year has normal rainfall or drout conditions couldnt it be possible, even likely that the deer wont be as good. I may be way off base with this, what are some of yalls opinions?
__________________. Just curious what others think of this.

[BrandonA]

Without any supplemental feeding I think it is very possible that the deer this year can go backwards. As you said we have had an exceptional year unlike any seen in years. So yes I think some deer will regress.

2 years ago I passed a 10 that would score in the mid 160's at 4.5. The next two years were drought years and he scored in the low 150's both years. Although theory said that he should have improved both years he didn't. I hope to see him this year.

[sq2shooter]

only one person has an opinion on this, c-mon guys give me some feedback

[Howard]

I think that the over all heath of the heard may show better results next year than this year if it is half decent starting out next year. Reason being if the deer had an awesome year this year and go into the winter heathly and stronger than normal it could carry over to rack growth this next year as well as all does having twins/triplelets. Does that make sense, even if next year is not exceptional as this one it could still be awesome because of this one.

On the average place without protein feeding program in place and established I doubt you will see a huge loss on a buck even if a bad year the next cause the one more year factor may have balanced it out!

[nsbowhunter]

I think this is a great year and most bucks are showing characteristics only available for these conditions. If I see a deer I really like age will not be a factor this year. For example we have a buck on one of our places that has a double main beam. I think the deer is 3 1/2 but I also feel without great conditions this will just be another little sticker next year. If I hunted places that where on better management plans with supplemental feeding then my thoughts would be different.

[nsbowhunter]

I think that the over all heath of the heard may show better results next year than this year if it is half decent starting out next year. Reason being if the deer had an awesome year this year and go into the winter heathly and stronger than normal it could carry over to rack growth this next year as well as all does having twins/triplelets. Does that make sense, even if next year is not exceptional as this one it could still be awesome because of this one.

On the average place without protein feeding program in place and established I doubt you will see a huge loss on a buck even if a bad year the next cause the one more year factor may have balanced it out!

I have to somewhat disagree with you on this. I think we will have a larger deer population going into next year and if the conditions don't do well the bucks will suffer even more because of lack of available food for each deer.

[scotty]

This is the first year that we have fed protein. With that being said, I have gotten pictures of more big bucks than ever before. On average, a lot more and a lot bigger! I am not going to risk letting a deer go that I really like. We can't afford to feed enough protein to make up for the record amount of rain that we have been blessed with this year. Trust me, it's not going to be nearly as lush next year. We are also low fenced.