[W. C. Quantrill]

Agreed, but, there are farms every half mile, so the deer dont pay any attention to vehicles or a chainsaw. I had bucks in the shooting lane that night, on the game cam. I didnt get one, but they were there. Our big bucks have gone completely nocturnal, and are hard to hunt. We hunt the big racks, and we manage the herd, for years, we concentrated on taking the inferior genetics out of the herd, and we pretty well have that done. Spikes and runts were targeted, then our numbers began to drop. The thing is, when the alpha bucks get to be about 7 years old, they go sterile. They are still big and can still fight off the beta bucks, but they dont make does pregnant. They are shooting blanks.

So, we concentrated on taking out the alpha buck if we could. 5 of us hunt this area. Someone gets the big one each year. But, also, we take out the hamburger bucks. This management has yielded more bucks, and bigger bucks than we have ever had. As a result, everyone else wants them too.

We have a lot of Walk in Hunting areas. I know other guys want to hunt, but, I pay the taxes, and I'd like the chance to hunt it before it gets shot out. Land in this area runs a little under $700 a year per quarter section taxes. For that, I would at least like to have the opportunity to hunt on my own land. I do not hunt on others land. So yes, it is tightening down. But the guys who shot the front window out of my combine, didnt offer to pay for that either.

I think it is a few slob hunters that ruin it for everyone. I had a guy from MD stop in here a couple years ago and ask if he could hunt. He buys hay out here. I directed him to the best hunting on my property. He came back later and left the pheasants they had got with us and thanked us for letting them hunt. I let him hunt here every year now, just because he asked.

Sheds I picked up last fall in this pasture

This is what roams at night. Actually, this was in the milo field on the other side of the creek from the pasture. About 150 yards from where I intended to hunt.

[fmj]

Originally Posted by W. C. Quantrill

Agreed, but, there are farms every half mile, so the deer dont pay any attention to vehicles or a chainsaw. I had bucks in the shooting lane that night, on the game cam. I didnt get one, but they were there. Our big bucks have gone completely nocturnal, and are hard to hunt. We hunt the big racks, and we manage the herd, for years, we concentrated on taking the inferior genetics out of the herd, and we pretty well have that done. Spikes and runts were targeted, then our numbers began to drop. The thing is, when the alpha bucks get to be about 7 years old, they go sterile. They are still big and can still fight off the beta bucks, but they dont make does pregnant. They are shooting blanks.

So, we concentrated on taking out the alpha buck if we could. 5 of us hunt this area. Someone gets the big one each year. But, also, we take out the hamburger bucks. This management has yielded more bucks, and bigger bucks than we have ever had. As a result, everyone else wants them too.

We have a lot of Walk in Hunting areas. I know other guys want to hunt, but, I pay the taxes, and I'd like the chance to hunt it before it gets shot out. Land in this area runs a little under $700 a year per quarter section taxes. For that, I would at least like to have the opportunity to hunt on my own land. I do not hunt on others land. So yes, it is tightening down. But the guys who shot the front window out of my combine, didnt offer to pay for that either.

I think it is a few slob hunters that ruin it for everyone. I had a guy from MD stop in here a couple years ago and ask if he could hunt. He buys hay out here. I directed him to the best hunting on my property. He came back later and left the pheasants they had got with us and thanked us for letting them hunt. I let him hunt here every year now, just because he asked.

Good to hear you have your neighbors on board for QDM. That IS what it takes. A bunch of like minded people in a large area.

I dont hate on folks for not granting permission. I am an old farm boy myself. I understand idiots and taxes only too well.

Good luck this season and be sure to post pics of succesful hunts....its looking like once again this year i will be hunting vicariously thru others.

[W. C. Quantrill]

My son in law is a bow hunter, he drew down on that bottom buck during the rut, and just as he got to full draw, his bowstring broke. I dont think it was his time yet. I am still not big on bowhunting, but I do keep peace in the family. He takes good care of my daughter and grandsons, so, it evens out.

Our average population here is less than one person per square mile. I cant imagine living in the population density of the East. I dont envy you. Coming out this way would be like going to your land up north. The cost of travel and the price of non resident licence would make your meat cost about $15 a pound. You'd have to have a really good time for that.
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[fmj]

Originally Posted by W. C. Quantrill

My son in law is a bow hunter, he drew down on that bottom buck during the rut, and just as he got to full draw, his bowstring broke. I dont think it was his time yet. I am still not big on bowhunting, but I do keep peace in the family. He takes good care of my daughter and grandsons, so, it evens out.

Our average population here is less than one person per square mile. I cant imagine living in the population density of the East. I dont envy you. Coming out this way would be like going to your land up north. The cost of travel and the price of non resident licence would make your meat cost about $15 a pound. You'd have to have a really good time for that.
'

>>SNORT<< THATS Bow hunting!! What can go wrong, usually does..at the WORST possible time!! The way i sum up archery hunting is "its THE most frustrating form of hunting i have ever done...but its also THE most rewarding."

I quit doing the $$ per pound figure a long time ago. To me its not about the money, it not about the bone, its not about the meat...its about time communing with the creator. When i start worrying about making a kill, it takes all the fun out and becomes like a job.

That buck would almost make me forget my ethics and go a spotlighting...almost. Some serious quality bone there! MUCH better than what is up in Dah Yooper.

[W. C. Quantrill]

He is evidence of what management will do to your herd.

If you go buy heifers at $2000 each, you sure dont want to go to the sale barn to buy you a bull. We now have some of these performance bucks in our doe herds. Someone will get this buck eventually, and another younger buck, perhaps his son will take his place, and our herd will evolve.