N
NM_Muley_Hunter
Guest
From those of you familiar with this unit...I'm just wondering a couple of things about the deer population. For some background, I've hunted the 1st or 2nd deer rifle hunt (and a couple of elk hunts) for the past 10 years in this unit. We keep going back because it's a family tradition thing, and we've got a cabin up there that my grandfather built 50 years ago. I've hunted and scouted in almost every part of the unit (even as far off of the roads as possible).
Over the years, I've seen a handful of what I would consider truly respectable bucks (mature bucks - probably 5 years old or older, with spreads outside of the ears and well developed racks). Most of them I've seen while driving around during the rut (late December). I have not really seen or known anyone that has shot a truly respectable buck out of the unit. I've only seen one during the rifle season, and he was 100 yards on the other side of the private property line.
I've picked up deer sheds all over the unit, and the largest I've found would have scored about 155. Most of them are 3 points, or small 4 points.
I went scouting up there last weekend (camped a couple of miles from the road) and it was more of the same.
I know the unit is not managed for trophy quality on deer. I think there's just too many tags given out for that. Still, I think I should have seen more mature bucks over the years.
What are your thoughts on the deer population? And have any of you seen someone else shoot a good, respectable buck (especially on public land), or have any of you taken such a buck in this unit?
I'm really only asking out of curiosity. Either way, I'm planning on hunting some other units (and other states) for deer in the future.
Thanks...
Over the years, I've seen a handful of what I would consider truly respectable bucks (mature bucks - probably 5 years old or older, with spreads outside of the ears and well developed racks). Most of them I've seen while driving around during the rut (late December). I have not really seen or known anyone that has shot a truly respectable buck out of the unit. I've only seen one during the rifle season, and he was 100 yards on the other side of the private property line.
I've picked up deer sheds all over the unit, and the largest I've found would have scored about 155. Most of them are 3 points, or small 4 points.
I went scouting up there last weekend (camped a couple of miles from the road) and it was more of the same.
I know the unit is not managed for trophy quality on deer. I think there's just too many tags given out for that. Still, I think I should have seen more mature bucks over the years.
What are your thoughts on the deer population? And have any of you seen someone else shoot a good, respectable buck (especially on public land), or have any of you taken such a buck in this unit?
I'm really only asking out of curiosity. Either way, I'm planning on hunting some other units (and other states) for deer in the future.
Thanks...