Let's just say there are some standards that can be used, but some deer need to be considered on a case-by-case basis.

None of this detracts from the fact that the deer in my OP is a pen raised monstrosity.

And the highest B&C scoring deer I've ever killed pales in comparison to most deer that are being discussed (132" 10 point).

My whole point is I wouldn't advocate basing management decisions based one a single characteristic. I'm not prescient enough to say with certainty that all calls made are for the best, but I'm comfortable enough with past results to hope I wouldn't be considered a fool. As for 99% of 8's needing to go, I just don't know, but I do know that in most populations those truly outstanding individuals do make up a very small percentage of the whole, regardless of each measurable trait.

Not trying to argue with you 02, I've been here long enough to be familiar with the results y'all have had, and there is no questioning them, and I respect them. To me number of points and inches while a useful metric for comparison isn't the end all be all, I've killed several deer that measure bigger than the 8 I pictured, but to my eye he is the best deer I've been fortunate enough to kill. I watched him from a 2 year old, and I'm very glad I didn't shoot him before I did.

Sorry bout the hijack rather be fishing

Deer management is actually really fun and interesting. It's enjoyable (at least to me) to watch deer grow from one year to the next. The buck you killed is a beauty! Extremely nice deer! And I'll be honest, deer management is a little tougher for me than most others on the lease. Why? Because unlike them, my favorite deer is the big ocho. I love big 8s! And it's hard for me to let a decent 3.5 year old 8 walk because I know that there is that very small chance that he may turn into a 150" 8 down the road. But when a 4.5 year old 155" 10-point walks out, it puts everything into perspective. Enjoyed the conversation! I gotta hit the sack so I can get up to hunt in the morning. Have a good one!

Pfft... I don't care about thread hijacks. I was WFSC major... it's interesting to hear different peoples 'management guidelines'.

From working on a breeding ranch, once you've seen a 3.5 year old deer that scores 230"+, you kind of start to lose a realistic POV for native deer.

After a few years of separation from the ranch I worked on, it's insane to see a 157" deer come off of 250 acres inside city limits. Makes you think about deer management a lot.

Interesting conversation, if it can be kept as such.

Granted, the more it sounds like a livestock operation, the less interested I get. Could generally care less about supplemental feeding. The population side of thing is fun (lack of a better term). But I'm way more interested in the habitat management. But that is usually hard work, and often comes with an expense. Plus more species benefit.

I just get way more excited by native deer getting by on properly managed native forage.

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I just get way more excited by native deer getting by on properly managed native forage.

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This x1000. If I want to watch an animal mature from birth to 6-7 y/o, it will be my cattle. My opinion.

Saw this 9-point this morning. Perfect example of an 8 or 9 that's not considered a management buck. Will be an absolute monster if he makes it until next year.

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This x1000. If I want to watch an animal mature from birth to 6-7 y/o, it will be my cattle. My opinion.

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I haven't seen a wild deer born, but I have watched quite a few from 2 1/2 to 6 1/2, at least seen them year after year. I've also been disappointed when ones I had watched for a while and had high hopes for failed to show up, and I knew they hadn't made it. The 8 I pictured last night made me think he was gone 2 different years until pretty late in the season.

Ursus, what percentage of any given buck fawn crop makes it to 6 1/2 years?

[This message has been edited by RockinU (edited 1/18/2014 9:54a).]

Pretty deer 02, I love a clean frame like that.

Rock, too many variable to really give a good answer.

To clarify a bit, it's easy to dig around and find a couple studies (with a fairly decent sample size) out of South Texas. For generic questions I prefer to stay general to the state. We do know, not so shocking, bucks that are young and really old have higher mortality rates. This is especially true if looking mostly at "natural causes". Make it to 4.5, mortality is pretty low and most is hunter related. 5.5 and 6.5 are the lowest mortality rate (~5% range), but clear 6.5+ and natural mortality starts kicking in real quick. Lots of bucks over 6.5 start disappearing pretty quick (especially in areas they become predictable for feeding).

[This message has been edited by ursusguy (edited 1/18/2014 11:11a).]

Looks like they had a successful science project.

Here's your typical cull buck. 5.5 year old 8 that scored 124 3/8.