Founder
Founder Since 1999
- Messages
- 11,634
I’m sure many of you read my post from July 13th stating that I didn’t think things were as bad as the collar data portrayed, with 100% fawn mortality and 60% buck mortality.
I’ve seen a decent number of yearling bucks, so clearly they haven’t all died. And many others are reporting seeing yearlings.
HOWEVER, my opinion on buck numbers has changed. After my first couple scouting trips, I was thinking buck numbers were off by only about 25%, but now after 12 days scouting, I’m thinking 50%.
I’ve looked at 98 bucks in 12 days scouting, for about 8 bucks per day. Last year over 23 days of scouting I was at 16 bucks per day.
My most recent scouting trip was in much of the same area I scouted last year. Last year I looked at 49 bucks in the area, this year was 18. It was very discouraging.
I just wanted to share my updated opinion after more time in the high country. You won’t hear me tossing the tag in the garbage, because it was very expensive. So we’ll for sure be hunting, but expectations are low right now. I’ve actually shared very little video and few photos because there just hasn’t been much worthy of even attaching my Phone Skope for.
I’ve seen a decent number of yearling bucks, so clearly they haven’t all died. And many others are reporting seeing yearlings.
HOWEVER, my opinion on buck numbers has changed. After my first couple scouting trips, I was thinking buck numbers were off by only about 25%, but now after 12 days scouting, I’m thinking 50%.
I’ve looked at 98 bucks in 12 days scouting, for about 8 bucks per day. Last year over 23 days of scouting I was at 16 bucks per day.
My most recent scouting trip was in much of the same area I scouted last year. Last year I looked at 49 bucks in the area, this year was 18. It was very discouraging.
I just wanted to share my updated opinion after more time in the high country. You won’t hear me tossing the tag in the garbage, because it was very expensive. So we’ll for sure be hunting, but expectations are low right now. I’ve actually shared very little video and few photos because there just hasn’t been much worthy of even attaching my Phone Skope for.