This could be debated for days or weeks or months. Fact is do what you think is right if its legal. The $$$ that people now pay for a lease, they should be able to kill what they want.

Only mature bucks wiil get shot on our place. Period.

And how old is that? I know some people that are more mature at 15 years old than some at 60. Is it the same with deer? Could one be more mature at 3 than one at 6?

And how old is that? I know some people that are more mature at 15 years old than some at 60. Is it the same with deer? Could one be more mature at 3 than one at 6?

someone remind me not to let this guy on our lease

In today's world, if you are hunting a low fence ranch, it is very difficult to "manage" to trophy deer. To some that may be 8 point/3.5 year or to others 10 point/5.5+ year old deer. But if your neighbors aren't following the same program, your are SOL. I will say this does depend on geography, habitat, number of hunters and area of Texas your lease is at. The last lease we managed (low fence) we fed protein and corn year round, had food plots (which produced depending on rainfall), and encouraged hunters to harvest to a management population which included doe harvest. We did see nominal improvement in buck body size and antler size over 7 years, but many bucks that showed in camera one year never appeared again. Our only thought was either Mother Nature - drought, predators, etc, or neighbors. Management rules are great, but again if your neighbors are not co-op'd with you, you will see minimal results from a management/feeding program. Not to say a savvy hunter can't still find a big buck if he hunts right.

Mature to me is any deer that "LOOKS" to be 4.5 years or older on our low fence property. Sure, it's not an exact science. Without checking teeth, it's impossible to know for sure. I look at like telling the difference between a head of lettuce and a head of cabbage. It takes a seasoned eye to tell the difference sometimes. I have a seasoned eye.

I don't need one, I have my own. But thanks, I would probably liven it up if I was.

In today's world, if you are hunting a low fence ranch, it is very difficult to "manage" to trophy deer. To some that may be 8 point/3.5 year or to others 10 point/5.5+ year old deer. But if your neighbors aren't following the same program, your are SOL. I will say this does depend on geography, habitat, number of hunters and area of Texas your lease is at. The last lease we managed (low fence) we fed protein and corn year round, had food plots (which produced depending on rainfall), and encouraged hunters to harvest to a management population which included doe harvest. We did see nominal improvement in buck body size and antler size over 7 years, but many bucks that showed in camera one year never appeared again. Our only thought was either Mother Nature - drought, predators, etc, or neighbors. Management rules are great, but again if your neighbors are not co-op'd with you, you will see minimal results from a management/feeding program. Not to say a savvy hunter can't still find a big buck if he hunts right.

I was just messing with you kid.

Curious as to how you are saving a ton of money on venison vs. beef......no lease fee/land payment? No processing fee? If so, lucky!

In today's world, if you are hunting a low fence ranch, it is very difficult to "manage" to trophy deer. To some that may be 8 point/3.5 year or to others 10 point/5.5+ year old deer. But if your neighbors aren't following the same program, your are SOL. I will say this does depend on geography, habitat, number of hunters and area of Texas your lease is at. The last lease we managed (low fence) we fed protein and corn year round, had food plots (which produced depending on rainfall), and encouraged hunters to harvest to a management population which included doe harvest. We did see nominal improvement in buck body size and antler size over 7 years, but many bucks that showed in camera one year never appeared again. Our only thought was either Mother Nature - drought, predators, etc, or neighbors. Management rules are great, but again if your neighbors are not co-op'd with you, you will see minimal results from a management/feeding program. Not to say a savvy hunter can't still find a big buck if he hunts right.

No special rules on our place between 6 guys on 1,100 acres. Mainly shoot does. I will only take a buck if it is going on the wall.

I think we do need a rule on wounded bucks. One guy shot 3, losing the first 2 last year and the one he actually found, was barely legal young one. The others were way older/ bigger based on the game cam.

It's family land, but we have had all sorts of rules among the family over the years. Over time it has ultimately evolved into just one rule. If you shoot a buck, you shoulder mount it. It's amazing how selective hunters get under this policy. There are of course exceptions for culls, but we tend to focus much more on keeping the doe population in check. We hunt on about 2000 acres and usually take 15-20 does, 1 or 2 trophies and 1-2 culls.