management question

[tfrye]

So I have a deer management question that I know is very broad, and totally depends on the herd, and quantity of deer but my question is how many good mature bucks should be taken off a property our size (165 acres)? I understand that there is more to it than just a number, and over the next few years I will know most of the bucks that travel our place but I am just trying to figure out how many bucks, and does we should limit ourselves too a year. How many deer total do yall think?. Any input or advice would be great!

[Aggie_bowtech]

Lots of questions will need to be answered on here to get an answer. Guns or bows? # of hunters? Neighbors ranch size? Food plots? Feeders? Cover?

[Aggie_bowtech]

# of deer, buck to doe ratio? Etc?

I'm just trying to help but I'm not a management expert by any means in on 333 acres in Bandera with lots of deer and I haven't shot a buck in 8 years.

[150class]

165 acres makes me wanna say 1 a year unless you are absolutely over run by deer

[Skinny]

Yeah one a year would be a safe bet. Lol

[Aggie_bowtech]

My philosophy is that I have a certain class deer size in mine. For our place its 140". We have only shot one in 15 years. Every year we could shoot smaller bucks but we haven't. I hope eventually they'll get bigger. Either it's a slow process or I'm just dreaming?

[Drycreek3189]

First, you must realize that mature bucks ( actually most all deer ) will have a " home range " larger than your place. Only a part of your place may be in their home range. Other bucks will travel across your place during the pre-rut and through to the post-rut. I have a similar problem. My place is only 217 acres, and I see deer coming to my food plots from the surrounding properties. i see two or three mature bucks on my place each year, but I never see that many in the daytime during hunting season. So......I don't have all the answers but I don't think I would shoot over two on my place, given the chance.
Edit: I missed the total deer in your post. I was talking about bucks only.

[tfrye]

So we have 5 bow hunters but only 3 of us really hunt the other 2 guys don't really go out much at all. To the north is about 800 acres and they don't hunt at all. The east guy has 300 acres and doesn't hunt at all, south guy has 800 and doesn't hunt at all, and west guy has 300 or so and bow hunts. We have one 8 acre food plot with winter wheat and 3 other places that are cleared to be plotted if wanted. We have 2 protein feeders and will have 4 corn feeders. We are the only people with a food plot around our area. Plenty of food, only have had the place for a week now so that's why I was asking to see how many deer we can expect to harvest without hurting our numbers.

[flywise]

I think its completely unrealistic to attempt to manage 165ac.
Simply enjoy the place.... It a blessing just the way it is

[JMalin]

My philosophy is that I have a certain class deer size in mine. For our place its 140". We have only shot one in 15 years. Every year we could shoot smaller bucks but we haven't. I hope eventually they'll get bigger. Either it's a slow process or I'm just dreaming?

It's an uphill battle on the vast majority of small hill country places. Biggest deer ever killed on our place in Edwards county went 127. Numerous deer in the 120's killed. Haven't been able to break the 130 barrier, much less get one to 140. We're feeding protein year round now hoping to see some improvement and are keeping our population in check, along with clearing cedar.

[tfrye]

I think its completely unrealistic to attempt to manage 165ac.
Simply enjoy the place.... It a blessing just the way it is

I understand that it's a small piece of property and so much is out of our control, but you don't think that we can at least make better decisions to give us a better herd with good numbers and increase quality?

[8pointer]

I think its completely unrealistic to attempt to manage 165ac.
Simply enjoy the place.... It a blessing just the way it is

I agree with this

I understand that it's a small piece of property and so much is out of our control, but you don't think that we can at least make better decisions to give us a better herd with good numbers and increase quality?

Shoot mature deer and feed as much to hold them. That is all you can do.

[tfrye]

I agree with this



Shoot mature deer and feed as much to hold them. That is all you can do.

That's probably true, I use to live with your cousin Casey! Haha small world!

[RascalArms]

I understand that it's a small piece of property and so much is out of our control, but you don't think that we can at least make better decisions to give us a better herd with good numbers and increase quality?

Sorry but IMO it's totally unrealistic on a place that small without a collaborative effort by all your neighbors. I know that's not what you want to hear but it's the truth. You can manage all you want and spend a bunch of money but unless you HF it you can't control it...therefore you can't "manage" it.

Yes, you can create a nice little sanctuary for deer on your place by pouring the feed to them and if you can keep pressure off of them you might draw some extra numbers. I wish you were one of our neighbors.

[8pointer]

That's probably true, I use to live with your cousin Casey! Haha small world!

Very cool. I will have to tell him. What is your name?