Probably just the wayward wanderings of a tormented mind, but can somebody explain something to me . . . Here goes: First, let's talk "whitetail management:" We read in all the popular literature that, in order to be responsible whitetail managers, we should shoot some does. I get it. Nobody wants an 80-20 deer herd. We're bombarded with the notion that we should always target a mature doe, and leave the fawns alone. I get that, too. Now let's talk science: Every spring, a mother doe forcibly relocates her now-yearling son to a far-away land, so as to excommunicate him from the family unit, thus preventing him from in-breeding with his sisters. Again, I get it. So now let's follow this to its logical conclusion: If a motherless button fawn is left to his own devices, what is to stop him from just staying in his native home range, and inbreed with his siblings? If he's left unsupervised, does he have the inherent willingness to inbreed? If so, won't that harm the herd, more than help it?
from what i understand the dominate buck or herd buck will run him off to his own area away from siblings
There is nothing to stop him. I would say he can, and some probably do. They are animals after all. :p
Jeff, my interpretation of that whole campaign is that your average schmuck could never put himself in a position (or restrain himself long enough) to make sure his target fawn isn't a button buck. So, we try to dumb-down the rules such that everybody can be on the same page. We've all heard the phrase "consider the source." In this case, I think it's only appropriate to "consider the audience." Troy - I did get a pretty good laugh out of those. I figured y'all would enjoy. So... Can we get any confirmation? Does the dominant buck really handle the deceased doe's duties, and run the yearling buck out of the area, thus preventing him from breeding his own doe family? If anybody has a link, post it up! I'm trying to learn something here!
How 'bout that Five-Star thread rating! The Undisputed King sure does know how to captivate an audience...
I don't know bout the deer part... I just wanna know how you got one of Buckeye's family photo's for your thread:p:D
I believe bucks can and will show dominance over territory, food, and does in estrous. Not necessarily in that order. Running jr. off? I doubt, unless he is posing a threat in one of those 3 categories.
It was actually a pretty decent question.I was a bit surprised! I hope your doing well Fran! I think they just instinctively know it is wrong.Kidding!
Found this article: http://www.whitetailtube.com/deerhuntingarticles/deer-herd-management/button-bucks.html Might answer some questions.
In 2005 I shot one doing just that, trying to run a BB out of the area, he also ran 4 1.5 out of the area. Mothers of fawns have been dying for years before we hunted them, I think they will be fine. Not that I think your idea is whack, I happen to agree, but inbreeding worked out well for you Fran
