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How to implement a management program
#6991844
12/11/17 04:50 PM
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Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 6,765
jskin
OP
THF Trophy Hunter
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OP
THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 6,765 |
We want to implement a management program on the new lease. Just looking for tips, suggestions, and know how. We have started this year by taking off a few culls, that's the extent of it thus far. We are planning to supplemental feed after the season. Any help or guidance is greatly appreciated.
"While we are postponing, life speeds by"
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Re: How to implement a management program
[Re: jskin]
#6991845
12/11/17 04:50 PM
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Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 6,765
jskin
OP
THF Trophy Hunter
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OP
THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 6,765 |
And we have roughly 5000 acres in Dickens county.
"While we are postponing, life speeds by"
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Re: How to implement a management program
[Re: jskin]
#6991877
12/11/17 05:14 PM
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Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 2,605
fouzman
Veteran Tracker
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Veteran Tracker
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 2,605 |
I'd reach out to the TPWD technical guidance biologist for that area as a starting point.
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Re: How to implement a management program
[Re: jskin]
#6991879
12/11/17 05:15 PM
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Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 60,424
BOBO the Clown
kind of a big deal
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kind of a big deal
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 60,424 |
And we have roughly 5000 acres in Dickens county. Herd survey first. Establish Carrying Capacity Then set harvest criteria. Basically work toward an MLD program, Dickens has some big deer.
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Re: How to implement a management program
[Re: jskin]
#6991885
12/11/17 05:17 PM
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Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 39,535
redchevy
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 39,535 |
^^^ Sounds like a good idea to me.
It's hell eatin em live
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Re: How to implement a management program
[Re: jskin]
#6991900
12/11/17 05:29 PM
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Joined: May 2016
Posts: 1,091
Wacm
Pro Tracker
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Pro Tracker
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 1,091 |
Honestly if you want bigger bucks start by not shooting anything with potential under 6 six years old. That area has so much potential even without protein. They just need to grow. A seven year old buck in that area will made a man happy
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Re: How to implement a management program
[Re: jskin]
#6991917
12/11/17 05:44 PM
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Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 11,658
GusWayne
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 11,658 |
I'm sure you do but having the right men for it is the first thing!
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Re: How to implement a management program
[Re: jskin]
#6991932
12/11/17 05:53 PM
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Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 446
Brother Phil
Bird Dog
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Bird Dog
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 446 |
I would be careful with the supplemental feeding. I don't know your budget, but what do you think it would cost to make a difference on a 5k property? Also if you had unlimited money to spend, there is the risk of building the deer population up to a point where the land can not carry it. I think if you manage the hunters, by agreed upon harvest guidelines, and manage the habit to the extent you can, you will be better off.
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Re: How to implement a management program
[Re: jskin]
#6992088
12/11/17 07:44 PM
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Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 1,213
tShawnB
Pro Tracker
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Pro Tracker
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 1,213 |
Depends on how complicated you want to get. We eyeball it where I hunt in King County and our B/D ratios are about 2:1; however our 8 pt or less to 8 pt + ratios are about 6:1 so we are shooting every 3.5 yr old or older 8 point or less buck we come across and then taking a doe for every buck. We supplemental feed, but it's expensive and I'm not sold yet as to the effectiveness in an uncontrolled habitat which in our case is defined by no high fence, big limited or non hunting neighbors, etc... What I am seeing is many of our early season target trophy caliber bucks are leaving the property once they've shed velvet and don't return, if at all, until after the season. So basically we're feeding some good deer that don't hang around for hunting season. Now that's all part of the program when feeding free range deer and if you can afford it, no big deal, you know what your in for; but if you're on a budget, I wouldn't supplemental feed. You can manage pretty effectively by limiting your herd and allowing your genetically superior bucks to reach old(er) age. Sadly, our biggest problem seems to be not killing enough deer. Generations of non management is a challenge to overcome. MLD will help with this problem if you have the time and an owner that will implement it.
How come everybody I meet is a deer hunting expert?
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