How many do you usually see through out your deer season on one piece of land? Reason I ask Is very rarely do we have more then one 2.5 year old around on the 120 acres of land that I hunt on. This land Isn't all woods either. 70 acres Is woods and some swamp with the rest being farm land (corn this year). This year I believe we have three 2.5 year olds on our land. This could lead to good things In a couple years. 2 of these are fairly Impressive for my area, 110 to 115 Inch bucks or so. What say you?
This is a strange year for me also as I have quite a few 3.5 year old bucks on camera. I hope at least half of them can dodge arrows and bullets and make it until next year
We seem to have alot of 2.5 year old bucks running around that are borderline shooters on our farm. We have 3-4 bucks that are 4.5 years or older that are huge that we are trying to hold out for.
Funny enough, they are rare here too Steve. I see ALOT of 1.5's (On cam and in person), very few 2.5's, and the occasional mature deer. I think it has to do with the theory of 1.5 year old bucks "moving out" after their first shed, to their "own" grounds. While the mature bucks keep their territory until death, or pressure forces them out. The does, IMO, stay pretty put year after year, with the number that get killed being replaced with the fawns.
The main thing In my opinion Is how many 1.5's make It through the year to see the next fall. Like you said, they usually find their own area the following year. At least that's what the big shots say. Problem here Is, most get shot In our wonderful gun season that's smack In the middle of the rut. I'm thinking last year allot of younger bucks outside of the woods/area I hunt must have lived through our gun seasons. I couldn't Imagine that happening every year. Hunting big bucks would be phenomenal!
Where I hunt in SW WI (CWD area) we have had numerous years of earn-a-buck now which has led to some good things. First off, would be that those younger bucks that seem to be out later in the AM and earlier in the PM are getting a pass until that hunter tags a doe (or button buck). We have seen the average age and size of bucks in the vicinity grow substantially since I started hunting this land in the early 2000's. Also, the buck-doe ratio is nearly 1-1 so the buck activity and sign is outstanding. I witnessed sparing opening night (9/17) that resembled a fight during the rut. There was (3) 2.5 year olds and (1) giant around across a large field from me going at it. Only one of the 2.5 year olds attempted to challenge the big buck and he was pushed nearly 25 yards across the hay field backwards! This is sure to change this year as in this area a hunter can take any buck before following the EAB rules. This is the first year that I have seen so many older bucks this early in the season, though. It would be nice for those 2.5 years olds to make it another season or two, but I do not see them surviving the gun season if they step out during daylight hours.
I see a fair amount of 2.5 year olds. I think the average deer these days is anywhere from 1.5-3 years old. Pretty solid guess. I like seeing little 8 points and 10 points. Nothing makes me happier than seeing a 2 year old 10 point... Saw one last year and can't wait to see that guy when he matures!
