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How Do We Do It?

Most, if not all, of us on this site seem to agree that the herd has dwindled over the last few years. Yet, somehow we manage to be quite successful killing bucks. And many of these bucks are mature. So what makes this group so successful, even though deer numbers are down? What is your take on this.

I think persistence is the key factor. Most of us do spend a lot of time in stands.
 
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"J"

Git Off My Lawn
Supporting Member
56,738
274
North Carolina
Dick, my take on this (and it’s been mentioned a lot on here) is that the folks on this site who deer hunt aren’t your average weekend hunter. TOO has become that virtual deer camp that Joe and Jesse strived too build years ago. The experience of most of the guys on here is second too none around the state of Ohio and the fact that the successful mature buck hunters on here are willing too pass along the information they’ve attained over the years helps us all become somewhat better at our endeavor at laying down a mature buck...
 

Cogz

Cogz
1,360
70
TX
I use this term loosely and agree with J, that it is the sophistication of the hunters here. Not damaging their local doe populations and passing younger deer, in addition to taking all the right steps to make a mature buck make a mistake. I do think the herd numbers are growing again, but not what they used to be.
 

hickslawns

Dignitary Member
Supporting Member
39,720
248
Ohio
Lower deer numbers. Bucks seek harder. Gets them killed. Further diminishes the herd.

I have to admit, I'm seeing a decent amount of deer on one of my properties.
 

xbowguy

Dignitary Member
Supporting Member
29,629
234
Licking Co. Ohio
I believe it is our dedication and the fact we learn from each other. Even if its what NOT to do~ we are still learning.
Deer numbers on our own place are a bit better since we stopped killing so many does. It really is up to us all.
 

giles

Cull buck specialist
Supporting Member
A lot of real hunter experience around here. Not a fly by night operation. The DIY attitude around here really pays off the 4 months of deer season.
 
Lower deer numbers. Bucks seek harder. Gets them killed. Further diminishes the herd.

I have to admit, I'm seeing a decent amount of deer on one of my properties.

Some of us have stopped killing does to do our part to recoup the losses in the herd. I understand every deer killed diminishes the herd by one deer. But, are we supposed to not take any deer at all. I believe letting all the does and fawns, even BB's if possible, is the key to building the herd. Of course this is just my opinion, I have nothing to back up my theory.
 

Bigslam51

Dignitary Member
Supporting Member
25,778
127
Stark County
Doesn't necessarily take a ton of stand time to kill a mature buck. Scouting, knowing where and when to hunt are the 3 biggest factors in killing a mature buck imo. Going in and hunting your best rut stands in early October is not going to benefit you in the long run. Gotta have the patience and self control to leave those stands alone until the time is right.
 
Horton,

I think you are right is that it is persistence and by spending a large amount of time including the offseason working at it.

Now as far as herd reduction let me give you my take on it. In PA we went thru herd reduction prior to Ohio going thru it. In my opinion in some places in PA and it seems like Ohio the herd reduction went a little too far. However most of the PA now has a decent population although in most areas it isn't what it once was, but not bad. Probably more than anything you get used to the population at a certain level. I know the complaints about it in PA aren't as bad because the population levels we have now are higher than it was around 2005. Also like we are seeing in Ohio many people in PA started to self-regulate their own harvest.

A large number of hunters may bow hunt a day or 2 at the beginning of the season and may hunt another day or 2 during the rut. Then come gun season they spend a couple more days out hunting. They may spend 1 or 2 days in the off season scouting. Most of the posters on here spend way more time than that.

One thing I think a lower population of deer forces you to do is get smarter about deer and their habits. When there is deer everywhere you can pretty much setup anywhere and have success.
 

Concordmeadowsfarm

Junior Member
357
91
SE Ohio
Discipline. Dedication. Unless you absolutely have feed a family, which I’ve been there... We noticed a drastic decrease in our local herd, 5 ish years ago. Thankfully now I own land and have great neighbors who agree on letting our doe herd/ small bucks grow. most does with lower pressure are having twins past few years.
I try to teach the boys to be disciplined and not shoot the first deer you see, be picky and shoot with reason or understanding. Do your homework, create good habitat if possible.