|
|
Post by greghopper on Jan 13, 2016 15:37:58 GMT -5
US whitetail hunters take more mature bucks than 1½-year-olds - 1st time in modern history ...  |
|
|
|
Post by Woody Williams on Jan 13, 2016 17:33:20 GMT -5
Does that make it that 33% of the Bucks taken are 2 1/2 years old.
|
|
|
|
Post by firstwd on Jan 13, 2016 18:15:13 GMT -5
Cool graph.
Now has anybody considered what the heard health will be when the majority of bucks roaming the woods are 2 and younger?
|
|
|
|
Post by duff on Jan 13, 2016 18:42:52 GMT -5
Population dynamics already dictate the majority of the population will be young. I don't see any threat of running out of mature deer out there.
More of a shift in hunter's selection than anything
|
|
|
|
Post by jjas on Jan 13, 2016 23:37:05 GMT -5
Does that make it that 33% of the Bucks taken are 2 1/2 years old. That's the way I'm reading it.... |
|
|
|
Post by nfalls116 on Jan 14, 2016 0:05:19 GMT -5
To me it reads that all age class bucks are harvested at a relatively equal rate
|
|
|
|
Post by greghopper on Jan 14, 2016 5:07:18 GMT -5
a quote from the report....
There are some very positive
trends occurring as yearling buck harvest
rates are at a record low, and the percent-
age of 3½-year-old and older bucks in the
harvest is at a record high. For the first
time, every state that collects age data
reported the majority of their buck harvest
was at least 2½ years old. In fact, in 2014
hunters shot more 3½-year-old and older
bucks than yearling bucks for the first time
in recorded history! That is truly amazing.
Hunters are clearly reaping the benefits of
more naturally balanced age structures in
herds across the whitetail’s range.
|
|
|
|
Post by Jamie Brooks 1John5:13 on Jan 14, 2016 6:10:51 GMT -5
I see consistent trends. Unless something changes, in about 15 years only 5% will be 3.5+years.
|
|
|
|
Post by M4Madness on Jan 14, 2016 6:25:56 GMT -5
I wouldn't put too much stock in it. I'd say that most states (like Indiana) have a check-in system that only separates button bucks from antlered bucks and does not indicate age class. For the report to be accurate beyond doubt, every buck in every state would have to be examined and aged at check stations. I'm sure that the trend is moving towards harvesting older bucks, but I am hesitant to accept the findings of this report.
|
|
|
|
Post by Woody Williams on Jan 14, 2016 7:06:36 GMT -5
I wouldn't put too much stock in it. I'd say that most states (like Indiana) have a check-in system that only separates button bucks from antlered bucks and does not indicate age class. For the report to be accurate beyond doubt, every buck in every state would have to be examined and aged at check stations. I'm sure that the trend is moving towards harvesting older bucks, but I am hesitant to accept the findings of this report. I'm not sure about the other states but Indiana would age deer at some check stations on opening day of firearm and extrapolate the percentage according to the numbers they aged. What I find interesting is that numerous multi-limit buck states have a lower yearling percentage than some of the one buck states...especially Indiana.. |
|
|
|
Post by trapperdave on Jan 14, 2016 8:52:35 GMT -5
I don't think it proves anything except maybe more trophy hunters now than deer/meat hunters. Everyone wants to "be like Joe" on TV. To each his own.
|
|
|
|
Post by tynimiller on Jan 14, 2016 9:27:58 GMT -5
If they are taking hunter word on age...big mistake. FAR TOO MANY rely solely on antlers for age.
|
|
|
|
Post by Woody Williams on Jan 14, 2016 9:44:37 GMT -5
If they are taking hunter word on age...big mistake. FAR TOO MANY rely solely on antlers for age. They don't. The biologists did the aging at the check stations.. |
|
|
|
Post by swilk on Jan 14, 2016 9:47:19 GMT -5
That is an inexact science as well .....
But it gives folks something to talk about, interpret and twist as they see fit.
|
|
|
|
Post by Jamie Brooks 1John5:13 on Jan 14, 2016 11:30:00 GMT -5
I'm confident that there's more data to look at, but if these plots were all we had and they were earnings and cost profiles, there would be cause for alarm.
The next 15 year projection would look dim. A significant change would occur or go out of business.
I'm actually shocked to see the consistent profile here. At this projected rate, one will have to venture into high fences to get a mature buck in years to come.
|
|
|
|
Post by ncmountainman on Jan 14, 2016 17:19:07 GMT -5
Way I read it is that 33% are yearling, 33% are 2 1/2 year old, and 34% are 3 1/2 or older. The graph leaves off 2 1/2 year old but 33% would give a total of 100%. Still 66% of bucks taken are 2 1/2 year old and younger. Sounds about right.
|
|
|
|
Post by jjas on Jan 14, 2016 17:36:04 GMT -5
If they are taking hunter word on age...big mistake. FAR TOO MANY rely solely on antlers for age. They don't. The biologists did the aging at the check stations.. Since the check stations are now gone, will the DNR look for another way to age a sample of the deer killed or just bypass doing so? |
|
|
|
Post by duff on Jan 14, 2016 17:48:30 GMT -5
They don't. The biologists did the aging at the check stations.. Since the check stations are now gone, will the DNR look for another way to age a sample of the deer killed or just bypass doing so? Popular butchers |
|
|
|
Post by greghopper on Jan 14, 2016 19:19:52 GMT -5
They don't. The biologists did the aging at the check stations.. Since the check stations are now gone, will the DNR look for another way to age a sample of the deer killed or just bypass doing so? Check station's are not all gone.... "Hunters also still have the option of visiting a traditional check station where a confirmation number will be provided to the hunter to place on their temporary transportation tag. There is also a phone in option at 1-800-419-1326, however there will be a $3 charge for this service (Visa or Mastercard only)." |
|
|
|
Post by boonechaser on Jan 14, 2016 19:29:39 GMT -5
I will call BS. S.W.A.G. (scientific wild ass guess) theory at work. So how many deer do we have in Indiana? How many bucks vs. Does?  Put very little into this articles. |
|
Put very little into this articles.