Management Program without Culling?
Higher density than what? In the old days most biologists wanted a deer per 25 acres, but due to the statistical rarity of a 160+ buck that doesn't produce very many trophies unless you have tens of thousands of acres. The 1/25ac density was before supplemental feeding. With an effective feed program, most habitats can support more deer with great results. The "density sweet spot" depends on your habitat and budget. On a well fed STX ranch, 1/10 is an effective density. That density will produce more genetic rarities than a lighter density, if they are well fed, without a detriment to the habitat.
Instead of managing for a certain buck to doe ratio, we should be managing for bucks on the ground. The number of bucks your land can produce depends on the management intensity and the feed program.
Culling bucks at 4 or 5 creates a choke point for the buck population. If the age structure is correct, the mature bucks will be doing most of the breeding.
I kill almost all doe fawns every year to control the density. Doe fawns are a non productive part of the population. They also can extend the rut into February and even March which taxes the bucks without any reward. Every few years some doe fawns are allowed to go through to compensate for barren does and mortality. We also kill old barren does each year.
By killing doe fawns and culling bucks at 4, the buck to doe ratio is going to be tight. I may have 2 bucks for every doe on a general count, but the ratio of 4+ year old bucks to productive does is easily 1/1. We have a short and effective rut without broken horns or run down bucks. This allows the bucks to be in good condition coming into the spring.
If you want to kill more big bucks, you have to produce more bucks. Statistics dictate that fact.
Originally posted by Kdog
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Higher density than what? In the old days most biologists wanted a deer per 25 acres, but due to the statistical rarity of a 160+ buck that doesn't produce very many trophies unless you have tens of thousands of acres. The 1/25ac density was before supplemental feeding. With an effective feed program, most habitats can support more deer with great results. The "density sweet spot" depends on your habitat and budget. On a well fed STX ranch, 1/10 is an effective density. That density will produce more genetic rarities than a lighter density, if they are well fed, without a detriment to the habitat.
Instead of managing for a certain buck to doe ratio, we should be managing for bucks on the ground. The number of bucks your land can produce depends on the management intensity and the feed program.
Culling bucks at 4 or 5 creates a choke point for the buck population. If the age structure is correct, the mature bucks will be doing most of the breeding.
I kill almost all doe fawns every year to control the density. Doe fawns are a non productive part of the population. They also can extend the rut into February and even March which taxes the bucks without any reward. Every few years some doe fawns are allowed to go through to compensate for barren does and mortality. We also kill old barren does each year.
By killing doe fawns and culling bucks at 4, the buck to doe ratio is going to be tight. I may have 2 bucks for every doe on a general count, but the ratio of 4+ year old bucks to productive does is easily 1/1. We have a short and effective rut without broken horns or run down bucks. This allows the bucks to be in good condition coming into the spring.
If you want to kill more big bucks, you have to produce more bucks. Statistics dictate that fact.
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