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deer hunting and how it will affect deer population

Posted By: casti

deer hunting and how it will affect deer population - 04/29/15 05:32 PM

I have a buddy of mine who has about 700 acres in Shamrock, Tx. My question is, how many deer should be harvested without affecting the population, although it is a 5 star county. Also how many feeders should be on the property, etc??
Posted By: don k

Re: deer hunting and how it will affect deer population - 04/29/15 06:17 PM

During hunting season for every deer you shoot it will reduce the herd by one.
Posted By: Son of a Blitch

Re: deer hunting and how it will affect deer population - 04/29/15 06:51 PM

casti - I'd contact the local TPWD wlidgame biologist - they might have an idea of what the area carries...there are a lot of factors involved to get a good idea on numbers. We take game trail pics and do herd composition counts by doing stand observations. We try to see how many individual (identifiable) bucks are on our place...then we turn over that data and get a good idea of our herd numbers. Some people say to do 1 feeder per 100 acres...some suggest more.

Setting up feeders/stands to where you can hunt different wind conditions is important. Also need to consider what else will visit the feeders...lots of hogs or cattle on the property could require a good panel fence around the feeders. We only pull the trigger on big bucks at 5.5 yrs, or older, unless they are considered a cull or management buck. We try to only take does that are 3.5 or older....but there are also factors involved there, too. Need to look at each year's fawn recruitment, as well, and overall herd numbers for all things to be considered. And, are there lots of coyotes around there? If so, might want to thin that herd, for better deer herd numbers.

Most wildgame biologist will come onto your friend's place, look at what kind of setting your have to work with - natural food sources/bedding areas/water availability - and can make some recommendations, accordingly. Hope that might help a bit.
Posted By: Mr. T.

Re: deer hunting and how it will affect deer population - 04/29/15 07:05 PM

wheeler county averages 23 deer per square mile. Of course some have a lot more and some a lot less than that. If average number then you have about 25 deer on the property. Guessing again, 2/3 will be does. So, you have about 8-9 bucks in all age categories. If everything I stated is right for the sake of argument, then I would not take more than 3 bucks and 5 does off the place until I had a true understanding of the deer herd on that property.
Posted By: BradyBuck

Re: deer hunting and how it will affect deer population - 04/29/15 07:29 PM

Originally Posted By: don k
During hunting season for every deer you shoot it will reduce the herd by one.


What about out of season?
Posted By: don k

Re: deer hunting and how it will affect deer population - 04/29/15 08:23 PM

Originally Posted By: BradyBuck
Originally Posted By: don k
During hunting season for every deer you shoot it will reduce the herd by one.


What about out of season?
Depends if it is East Texas or the Hill Country.
Posted By: don k

Re: deer hunting and how it will affect deer population - 04/29/15 08:24 PM

Originally Posted By: BradyBuck
Originally Posted By: don k
During hunting season for every deer you shoot it will reduce the herd by one.


What about out of season?
Depends if it is East Texas or the Hill Country.
Posted By: don k

Re: deer hunting and how it will affect deer population - 04/29/15 08:27 PM

Also a lot depends on what the neighboring places are shooting. Unless it is the forbidden HF then you have more control of deer numbers.
Posted By: redchevy

Re: deer hunting and how it will affect deer population - 04/29/15 08:52 PM

Cover and live water will mean a lot also.
Posted By: stxranchman

Re: deer hunting and how it will affect deer population - 04/29/15 09:05 PM

To many unknowns to answer that. Habitat quality and type? Density? Ratio? Bedding cover? Hunting pressure around the property? Livestock? Water? Farm land?
Posted By: Erathkid

Re: deer hunting and how it will affect deer population - 04/30/15 12:21 PM

I've heard lots of good things about Wheeler cty. Of course every place is different. After a season or two, you'll get a pretty good idea of what numbers should be taken.
Posted By: JRJ6

Re: deer hunting and how it will affect deer population - 04/30/15 02:09 PM

I hunted Wheeler county for many years. The deer numbers are not as high as other areas of the state, but there are nice deer.
We had 800 acres and never took more than 2 bucks per season. The 2 we took were really mature bucks.
It all depends on cover, water, food, and properties around you. Put some trail cams out and see what happens. I would let the camera tell the story for you.
Posted By: Erathkid

Re: deer hunting and how it will affect deer population - 05/01/15 02:57 AM

Yeah. I would hold off on my expectations as far as deer population goes. Probably around 1 deer per 40 acres density, in a good area. Some really nice bucks come from that country though. Careful selection, and not overhunting is the key.
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