What to shoot this year?

[gobblergetter]

Last year the farm surrounding mine had depredation tags and killed 23 does (that were actually tagged) and who knows how many bucks. They're not exactly legal about how they do it. Anywho, during deer season another 20 does, one 12 inch basket 8 pt and 5 buttons were killed. One buck was poached (head cut off so I don't know how big) Nine bucks were found dead from EHD. I saw a four point, six point, and spike all season long. No bucks period during gun season. Another 140 class and 180 class was seen (maybe poached) and a small 8 was seen. So far this Spring, we've counted as many as 15 does in the bean/corn field adjoining our farm. I know the buck-doe ratio should be 2 to 1 but I have no idea what to shoot this year. The farm (thousand acres +) surrounding ours had the rule last year that they had to shoot 3 does before they could shoot a buck (unless he was huge) I don't want our deer pop to disapear. It's nice going out and seeing 20 deer a trip. I killed a 161 two years ago and usually kill a nice buck every year until last. I'm just at a loss for how to manage the herd now. I'm hoping they (adjoining property) don't go out and massacre everything they see again this year. Pleas help. Any ideas?

[longtimegone]

Yes, first I would let them know you hunting there. If you dont have good cover get some TALL Native Grasses ASAP and then stay out of the area. If you can make your place the sanctuary you'll have a good chance once WW III starts around you.

[gobblergetter]

Yes, first I would let them know you hunting there. If you dont have good cover get some TALL Native Grasses ASAP and then stay out of the area. If you can make your place the sanctuary you'll have a good chance once WW III starts around you.

I know the guys and have permission to hunt their farm. I used to be the only one to hunt the area. Now, last year, a guy took "control" over the farm and brought in 11 people at one time (multiple times) and decided to shoot every doe they saw. I agreed that does needed to be thinned out so I shot several as well. In the past, our place has been a sanctuary for deer. The last day of gun season two years ago I killed a nice 161 that was hangin on our property but we only have 50 acres in the surrounded on three property lines by pumpkins come opening day of gun season. Every deer that tries to come into our property gets shot at.:mad: I think part of the reason I didn't see any bucks last gun season was they went nocturnal cause of the pressure.

[huntindawoods]

Do you bow hunt if so maybe you can get in early in the season and shoot a nice deer before all the pressure begins.

[huntmadd]

Sounds like you no these guy see if everyone could set down and make a plan that works for all of you.I no it may be hard but more poaple today want QDM.I always make sure I have food,water,minerail and cover omly take the does I need to and not in my food plots then only shot bucks over P&Y with my bow, gun looking for 150 pluss or Booner.

[Georgia Transplant]

Last year the farm surrounding mine had depredation tags and killed 23 does (that were actually tagged) and who knows how many bucks. They're not exactly legal about how they do it. Anywho, during deer season another 20 does, one 12 inch basket 8 pt and 5 buttons were killed. One buck was poached (head cut off so I don't know how big) Nine bucks were found dead from EHD. I saw a four point, six point, and spike all season long. No bucks period during gun season. Another 140 class and 180 class was seen (maybe poached) and a small 8 was seen. So far this Spring, we've counted as many as 15 does in the bean/corn field adjoining our farm. I know the buck-doe ratio should be 2 to 1 but I have no idea what to shoot this year. The farm (thousand acres +) surrounding ours had the rule last year that they had to shoot 3 does before they could shoot a buck (unless he was huge) I don't want our deer pop to disapear. It's nice going out and seeing 20 deer a trip. I killed a 161 two years ago and usually kill a nice buck every year until last. I'm just at a loss for how to manage the herd now. I'm hoping they (adjoining property) don't go out and massacre everything they see again this year. Pleas help. Any ideas?

It sounds like a nightmare to me. I would plant corn on your property and let it stand all thru hunting season and cut small rows between woodlot and corn and hunt the edge. The standing corn will be the sanctuary for the deer to hide in during the onslaught of your neighbors WWIII, I've seen this happen before.