A FEW DEER FOR THIS YEAR...

[Agitated88]

Pic #3...unique non-typical. Quick question do the antlers grow like that every year "genetics", or possible trauma as they we're growing this year? I'm asking since you stated you've watched these guys growing up. I couldn't see the body of the one in the bush's, but the others in velvet can't be more than two years old...right? Last question, what if anything are you putting in your plots. I just was granted access to about 100 acres and there are a couple two-five acre openings that I want to put in some plots. Thanks!

[NY Bearhunter]

Originally Posted by Agitated88

Pic #3...unique non-typical. Quick question do the antlers grow like that every year "genetics", or possible trauma as they we're growing this year? I'm asking since you stated you've watched these guys growing up. I couldn't see the body of the one in the bush's, but the others in velvet can't be more than two years old...right? Last question, what if anything are you putting in your plots. I just was granted access to about 100 acres and there are a couple two-five acre openings that I want to put in some plots. Thanks!

There is a non-typical gene in the herd, I have a special group of does that for years have produced some of the strangest bucks. I always lose the drop tine (s) on bucks to problems during the velvet stage of growth for some reason. These group of does even have produced two albino fawns. No trauma, problems at all, the bigger deer don't really even fight much with each other, its the little guys who are the real problem, they fight the bigger deer in groups and I lose a few each year to this problem.

Your right, the velvet deer are two years and a few months old, the main frame eight point in the weeds is three and a half, and is a sly one for sure.

Food, NO food plots here, plenty of cover and safe heavens for them, the weeds you see in the pictures are in all of the open areas, big timber all around, plenty of water, great genes and great breeding does. There are alot of apple trees but I think the bear get more than the deer.

I feed the deer year round except for the month of hunting season when I want them crazy and hungry.I learned alot from my friends in south Texas (where nothing grows) about feeding deer, I use year round feeders with a food,vitamin,mineral pellet mix, with a wheat supplement.

With your land it depends alot on the fact of what is around you, meaning people and hunters and other food sources. If, you want to try something really simple and really good, use a Brasica and plant sugar beets, with some standing corn, stagger the cuts in the corn.

[Agitated88]

Originally Posted by NY Bearhunter

There is a non-typical gene in the herd, I have a special group of does that for years have produced some of the strangest bucks. I always lose the drop tine (s) on bucks to problems during the velvet stage of growth for some reason. These group of does even have produced two albino fawns. No trauma, problems at all, the bigger deer don't really even fight much with each other, its the little guys who are the real problem, they fight the bigger deer in groups and I lose a few each year to this problem.

Your right, the velvet deer are two years and a few months old, the main frame eight point in the weeds is three and a half, and is a sly one for sure.

Food, NO food plots here, plenty of cover and safe heavens for them, the weeds you see in the pictures are in all of the open areas, big timber all around, plenty of water, great genes and great breeding does. There are alot of apple trees but I think the bear get more than the deer.

I feed the deer year round except for the month of hunting season when I want them crazy and hungry.I learned alot from my friends in south Texas (where nothing grows) about feeding deer, I use year round feeders with a food,vitamin,mineral pellet mix, with a wheat supplement.

With your land it depends alot on the fact of what is around you, meaning people and hunters and other food sources. If, you want to try something really simple and really good, use a Brasica and plant sugar beets, with some standing corn, stagger the cuts in the corn.

Thanks for the reply! The area I'm going hunt is a wheat field surrounded by other wheat fields, with very little if any hunting pressure. There is a strip of timber that runs directly through the property with a small creek. Obviously, not the most ideal "managment" area, but I think with a few plots spread out I might be able to influence a few of the resident deer to join me for dinner.

[NY Bearhunter]

Originally Posted by Agitated88

Thanks for the reply! The area I'm going hunt is a wheat field surrounded by other wheat fields, with very little if any hunting pressure. There is a strip of timber that runs directly through the property with a small creek. Obviously, not the most ideal "managment" area, but I think with a few plots spread out I might be able to influence a few of the resident deer to join me for dinner.

That timber and creek area looks like the key spot to make a go at it, plenty of surrounding food so, you will have to place your food where they will find it on their daily travels and the food needs to be different.With the cover that you have with the water close by and little hunting pressure you have the ideal spot to hold deer.

[Agitated88]

Originally Posted by NY Bearhunter

That timber and creek area looks like the key spot to make a go at it, plenty of surrounding food so, you will have to place your food where they will find it on their daily travels and the food needs to be different.With the cover that you have with the water close by and little hunting pressure you have the ideal spot to hold deer.

Again...thanks for the input! Hopefully I'll be posting a successful hunting thread in the next few weeks!

[Capt. Terry]

I AM EXTREMELY ENVIOUS!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Catcher's Mitt]

Originally Posted by 0014

HOW CAN YOU TELL HOW OLE HE IS FROM THAT PICTURE?

i could tell by the body. thin neck, shoulders, body(no pot belly, no sway back) he is still an adolescent.

here is a picture of a deer that is now a man. notice how musclar his body is? that is a 4 1/2 year old.