Perhaps my comment needs a bit of definition. Typically bucks fatten up over their summer weight between velvet shed and rut. A summer buck is almost never at his peak weight compared to prerut. Obviously they gain it quickly then lose it just as quickly once the rut starts. Its natures way of survival.
New observation, don’t know what to make of it
- Thread starter Bullwinkle
- Start date
Terrific_tom
Member
To expand on this a little farther. The stuff deer eat from January to June is going to determine how good the headgear or fawn health will be. Waupaca county definitely has the genetics to grow big antlers. In the states to the south of Wisconsin green up is earlier and depending how far south, you can grow food plots all year long. Couple that with supplemental feeding and protein and the deer have every thing they need to grow to their potential. Now in Wisconsin the period from January to green up there is very little to support very high DPSM as most food plots are buried with snow and deer will not expend the energy to get to the food plots to get the little bit of food that is there. This is where quality browse will get the deer to green up in healthy condition. In Bull's case because of the very high DPSM there is very little to no quality browse left. Wisconsin doesn't allow feeding or baiting in the off season so the deer come into the start of antler growing season in poor condition. The deer use all their feeding to recover their body weight with very little going towards antler growth. Now take his deer plan from Sturgis to not plant early spring and summer plots to keep does away, it is magnifying the problem. Bull you need to improve your natural browse by reducing deer numbers and plant plots that will provide the deer some nutrition as soon as the snow melts. Winter rye with clover comes to mind.
Bingo. As everyone has been saying on multiple forums for multiple years, you have too many deer. You can’t have 100 deer (too many), not feed them, then expect them to thrive. It’s an obvious problem that is apparent to everyone but Bullwinkle.
Yep, thats the bottom line...too many deer for the management plan.
Bullwinkle
Active Member
I am with you guys. I thought it was under control till this year.
If this keeps up I’ve got a serous problem. I hope I can knock them down a little with the neighbors but the acorns spread out the deer next year
If this keeps up I’ve got a serous problem. I hope I can knock them down a little with the neighbors but the acorns spread out the deer next year
Bullwinkle
Active Member
Got tooth back -7.5 years old.
This put him at 5 years old in ‘15 picture
Official score by taxidermist was 146”
Our 3 bucks tooth aged at 4.5 (targeted cull) of which we guessed the age exactly, 5.5 year old which we guessed correctly and 7.5 years (one year under). Poor racks but huge bodies and old deer.
Pacahunter
Member
That’s awesome. To be able to consistently harvest multiple 5 year old bucks in arguably the highest hunter density, is an outstanding accomplishment.
I don’t think our last few winters are impacting antler growth. The deer have gotten through the winter healthy the last 3-4 years. Most deer don’t grow world class antlers. We can’t control that. I’m totally with you. I’d like to harvest booner deer every year. They are out there, but I’m completely content harvesting 140 class deer. I could go out of state and shoot bigger deer, no doubt, but I can’t go out of state to get the same year round enjoyment as my land gives me, my family and close friends. It would be very boring for me to live in Kansas or Iowa.
I don’t think our last few winters are impacting antler growth. The deer have gotten through the winter healthy the last 3-4 years. Most deer don’t grow world class antlers. We can’t control that. I’m totally with you. I’d like to harvest booner deer every year. They are out there, but I’m completely content harvesting 140 class deer. I could go out of state and shoot bigger deer, no doubt, but I can’t go out of state to get the same year round enjoyment as my land gives me, my family and close friends. It would be very boring for me to live in Kansas or Iowa.
Tap
Well-Known Member
7.5??? Our bucks have to use a walker by that age, which makes them easy pickings for anything that wants to kill them. I'm not sure I've ever seen a 7.5 year old around here.
And congrats on your season.
That's not a 146" deer in that 2017 picture...not even close...
Bullwinkle
Active Member
Officially scored at taxidermist
You need to work on your judging.
You need to work on your judging.
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Bullwinkle
Active Member
It’s on a 7.5 year old 200lb WI deer
11 ptr. Decent mass and tall. Spread on northern deer don’t necessarily drive the score
We thought he was pushing 140” so we were a little surprised too
11 ptr. Decent mass and tall. Spread on northern deer don’t necessarily drive the score
We thought he was pushing 140” so we were a little surprised too
Bullwinkle
Active Member
Screen shot of lab report. We nicknamed him Perfect
Bullwinkle
Active Member
Here is a picture I took Labor Day weekend scouting sit. He just shed - red antlers kind of cool. Decent shot at his body from about 125 yards
Field judging deer score is not all that hard if you have a good picture of his ear...measure some of your mounts ears and get back with me after you add it all up or just post up the official score sheet on him...if your taxidermist is an official scorer he gave you one...
You Have a picture of him dead I am sure somewhere...
Bullwinkle
Active Member
Score sheet still at taxidermy. I did make a mistake it was 143”. I’ll post when we get the head back
Mr. Moderator, what are you trying to accomplish with all this? The man said he had his deer officially scored at taxidermist. He's obviously proud of his accomplishment. Is there any value to trying to diminish his accomplishment ? What does it matter what the exact score is?
You've accused others of only being hung up on a deer's score. Is score so important to you that you need to correct Bull if you think he's wrong? As moderator wouldn't it set a better tone for the forum to celebrate others accomplishments at every opportunity ?
This is a relatively new forum. Many will look at the moderators to see what the forum stands for. Will it be characterized by judgement, criticism , demeaning comments, belittling and the bickering that taints other forums. Or will the leaders convey respect, support, celebration, inclusion from a broad variety of experiences , sharing from personal experience , and of course the robust sharing of ideas from a diverse group all involved in the same passion?
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Bullwinkle
Active Member
I’m just trying to share what I’m learning. Gotta prove yourself for sure on this forum.
Pacahunter
Member
Let’s play nice so that pink doll and that guy who posts videos of the very strange 16 year old girl, don’t show up. Those guys have issues and they tend to show up on the slightest hint of hostility.
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