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slow year? #6610540 01/01/17 02:17 PM
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TackDriver Offline OP
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We have seen many young bucks right at the ears from 6 to 8 and a couple tens but we pass on them to let them grow to mature trophy bucks. We have 5 hunters and each has bagged 2 trophy bucks each the last 3 years but this year we saw less trophy bucks. Few of us have bagged one trophy. Even neighbors and friends that hunt in other ranches and counties reported its been a slow season and we have felt that its a slow season as well. Has the same issue happening with you guys as well?

Re: slow year? [Re: TackDriver] #6610583 01/01/17 02:46 PM
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We saw something similar in Stephens County this year. We had about borderline bucks we passed on last year, this wouldve been the year to take them. All but one has disappeared. It is possible that they where shot on a neiboring lease, but it seem unlikely that they where all killed. It was a frustrating year.

Re: slow year? [Re: TackDriver] #6610595 01/01/17 02:52 PM
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I got a nice one opening week but that was the only thing I got....not complaining but we had hoped to take a few culls, big ones, but they absolutely disappeared once the season began. It was kind of a weird year.

Re: slow year? [Re: TackDriver] #6610608 01/01/17 03:02 PM
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In Stephens county also and only one mature buck taken. Very slow year for us. Drought in 2010-2012 we had very low fawn crop, I suspect that's the reason.


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Re: slow year? [Re: TackDriver] #6610653 01/01/17 03:39 PM
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30 Trophy bucks over the last 3 years? How many acres are you hunting?


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Re: slow year? [Re: Pitchfork Predator] #6610757 01/01/17 04:51 PM
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Originally Posted By: Pitchfork Predator
30 Trophy bucks over the last 3 years? How many acres are you hunting?


Re: slow year? [Re: Jkd106] #6610766 01/01/17 04:58 PM
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Originally Posted By: Jkd106
Originally Posted By: Pitchfork Predator
30 Trophy bucks over the last 3 years? How many acres are you hunting?
my first thought. Why would you need to kill 2 trophy bucks a piece to start with?

Re: slow year? [Re: SapperTitan] #6611023 01/01/17 07:47 PM
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Originally Posted By: SapperTitan
Originally Posted By: Jkd106
Originally Posted By: Pitchfork Predator
30 Trophy bucks over the last 3 years? How many acres are you hunting?
my first thought. Why would you need to kill 2 trophy bucks a piece to start with?


Maybe you misunderstood my meaning of "trophy" meaning as shooters, 8 points or more plus an inch or more outside the ears is what we shoot here. We don't shoot bucks that are right at the ears or smaller like most people do. It's why many deer leases are not good or great places to hunt because everyone shoots small bucks and they never have chances to grow into big mature deer. Here are a few pics of shooters that we have here. Plus we don't shoot does either. Plus only 2 hogs can be harvested as well.



Last edited by Big Stan; 01/01/17 07:52 PM.
Re: slow year? [Re: Pitchfork Predator] #6611030 01/01/17 07:50 PM
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Originally Posted By: Pitchfork Predator
30 Trophy bucks over the last 3 years? How many acres are you hunting?


350 acres low fenced that borders big ranches like Jones and a few others. One of our 5 hunters is hunting on another section outside of our 350 acres, he is allowed to by owner's permission. So its 4 hunters in 350 acres.

Last edited by Big Stan; 01/01/17 07:54 PM.
Re: slow year? [Re: TackDriver] #6611073 01/01/17 08:28 PM
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It was definitely a slow year for me. Normally I see plenty nice bucks, but this year I only saw a couple. I just put it down to a big acorn year and the deer didn't need to move around much. I hope that's the reason.


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Re: slow year? [Re: TackDriver] #6611092 01/01/17 08:39 PM
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We had a lot of young bucks and only a few mature ones. It's because of the drought. I got lucky and shot a pre-drought 10 that was a real nice deer for us. I probably only shoot a buck every five years or so. Try to put kids on deer and fill the freezer unless I'm gonna hang one on the wall.

Re: slow year? [Re: TackDriver] #6611342 01/01/17 11:41 PM
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I could be wrong,but it sounds like way too many mature deer being taken off a smaller size place,large neighbors or not.I would think that's why you are not seeing the deer.JMO


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Re: slow year? [Re: B.K.S.] #6611415 01/02/17 12:30 AM
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Originally Posted By: B.K.S.
I could be wrong,but it sounds like way too many mature deer being taken off a smaller size place,large neighbors or not.I would think that's why you are not seeing the deer.JMO


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Re: slow year? [Re: Stompy] #6611450 01/02/17 12:57 AM
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Originally Posted By: Stompy
In Stephens county also and only one mature buck taken. Very slow year for us. Drought in 2010-2012 we had very low fawn crop, I suspect that's the reason.
we hunt on 3100 acres in Stephens and Eastland and it was a great year. Had 2 ten points and 4 eight point taken that were all at least 4.5 years old. Passed on numerous younger bucks. Not enough doe taken off though which we hope to do the next 2 weeks.


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Re: slow year? [Re: TackDriver] #6611524 01/02/17 01:48 AM
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It was slow as far as mature up an coming bucks. I got a 164" and buddy on lease got 174". Which is good. Only saw few deer that will be good in next couple years.


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Re: slow year? [Re: TackDriver] #6612702 01/02/17 09:53 PM
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Originally Posted By: Big Stan
Originally Posted By: Pitchfork Predator
30 Trophy bucks over the last 3 years? How many acres are you hunting?


350 acres low fenced that borders big ranches like Jones and a few others. One of our 5 hunters is hunting on another section outside of our 350 acres, he is allowed to by owner's permission. So its 4 hunters in 350 acres.


You have killed way too many bucks is the problem.


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Re: slow year? [Re: Pitchfork Predator] #6612727 01/02/17 10:06 PM
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Originally Posted By: Pitchfork Predator
Originally Posted By: Big Stan
Originally Posted By: Pitchfork Predator
30 Trophy bucks over the last 3 years? How many acres are you hunting?


350 acres low fenced that borders big ranches like Jones and a few others. One of our 5 hunters is hunting on another section outside of our 350 acres, he is allowed to by owner's permission. So its 4 hunters in 350 acres.


You have killed way too many bucks is the problem.


^^^ This and shoot more hogs

Re: slow year? [Re: Pitchfork Predator] #6612728 01/02/17 10:06 PM
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Originally Posted By: Pitchfork Predator
Originally Posted By: Big Stan
Originally Posted By: Pitchfork Predator
30 Trophy bucks over the last 3 years? How many acres are you hunting?


350 acres low fenced that borders big ranches like Jones and a few others. One of our 5 hunters is hunting on another section outside of our 350 acres, he is allowed to by owner's permission. So its 4 hunters in 350 acres.


You have killed way too many bucks is the problem.
350 acres, regardless of where you are, or what you border, probably can't support more than 3-4 bucks taken a year. And that's pushing it.


Thank you...thank you very much
Re: slow year? [Re: crooked horn] #6612798 01/02/17 10:45 PM
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Do you age your deer when you shoot them? We try to shoot 5.5 yo and older. My 3.5 yo bucks can get 15+ spreads and most would consider them too young to harvest. We always shoot as many does as we do bucks. On 500 acres we average about 5 bucks a year and 1-2 are what we consider trophies.

If you're shooting 5.5 or older, I don't see an issue shooting that many deer because that means the neighbors aren't shooting them. If the age isn't there, don't shoot. I'd watch the buck-doe ratio. 5 shooters aren't going to throw it off for the area but everyone needs to do their part to keep it in check.

I would switch to 1 trophy and 1 cull.

Who came up with the 2 hog rule? That needs to be switched to unlimited.

Re: slow year? [Re: TackDriver] #6613097 01/03/17 01:05 AM
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Lots of 2.5 year old deer can be 14" wide.


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Re: slow year? [Re: crooked horn] #6614694 01/03/17 09:38 PM
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Originally Posted By: crooked horn
Originally Posted By: Pitchfork Predator
Originally Posted By: Big Stan
Originally Posted By: Pitchfork Predator
30 Trophy bucks over the last 3 years? How many acres are you hunting?


350 acres low fenced that borders big ranches like Jones and a few others. One of our 5 hunters is hunting on another section outside of our 350 acres, he is allowed to by owner's permission. So its 4 hunters in 350 acres.


You have killed way too many bucks is the problem.
350 acres, regardless of where you are, or what you border, probably can't support more than 3-4 bucks taken a year. And that's pushing it.


Thats really pushing it, sounds like you have a honey hole and I guess the neighbors are OK with you because in alot of places in the state if your shooting buck #'s like that they will high fence you out, it happens...

Re: slow year? [Re: TackDriver] #6615008 01/04/17 12:31 AM
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This yr was terrible at my place in TX and even worse in KS. We didnt see hardly any deer all year. With that being said, I shot my biggest TX buck to date this yr


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Re: slow year? [Re: TackDriver] #6615409 01/04/17 04:34 AM
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Pitchfork is right, you guys have killed all the deer, expect your seasons to suck for a while. 350 acres isn't enough to take 2 trophy bucks from.

Re: slow year? [Re: TackDriver] #6615670 01/04/17 01:33 PM
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If I were a buck, I'd vacate that premises as well and quickly!

Re: slow year? [Re: TackDriver] #6615699 01/04/17 01:49 PM
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I also had a slow year. Last year me and all my family members took our 5 deer limit on our 100 acres. Not that many people. Only 12 or 13. Barely saw any deer this year.


The very atmosphere of firearms anywhere and everywhere restrains evil interference. -George Washington
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