Low Deer Numbers and Deer Hunting

[LittleM]

Given the reports of low deer numbers reported by hunters throughout NJ, but specifically in and around northern NJ (Sussex and Warren County's) and more specifically in and around Zone 5 and the lack of does (all of which I whole-heartedly agree with) and given that its a biological fact that one buck can breed several (all the does in an area) and that its another biological fact that its the does the give birth to the fawns (duh),

 

other than not shooting any deer in 2016, what would be best to take in order to see a population rebound, a buck of any size or a doe?  Keep in mind the age-old argument that if you want meat, let the small bucks grow and shoot a doe. 

 

Should any one in this forum choose to respond, please also keep in mind that the question would pertain to a hunter who would take two to three deer a year and not the idiot who would shoot 10 to 12 and then look to give the meat away.  Thanks.

[Rusty]

If you want a herd to rebound then you want most winter food to go to pregnant females.  To do this you would want to limit the number of bucks living through the winter and competing for food.  Shoot lots of bucks but don't shoot the does. 

 

 

 

[MackofallTrades]

Well, I did my part in 2015 by not shooting any deer...

[BowhunterNJ]

I do think what Rusty said makes sense. If you are looking to rebound populations...let the does live and take out their competition (bucks) and any other wildlife that would otherwise compromise their life (coyotes, foxes, bears).

[sam3]

Well, I did my part in 2015 by not shooting any deer...

Lol, I hear ya. The last deer I killed in NJ, I had to bring to a check station.

[Haskell_Hunter]

May as well throw QDM in there as well. Then only 3-points on one side can be harvested. Get a healthy herd and monster bucks while you're at it.

[LittleM]

Then only 3-points on one side can be harvested.

 

So only shoot bucks (including 5, 6, 7, and 1.5 year old 8-pointers) with three points on one side and no does?

Edited January 4, 2016 by LittleM

[BowhunterNJ]

I'm pretty much done deer hunting as of right now.

The only deer I shot here in NJ was back in October, and that'll get me by freezer wise.

I'm still camming, but have no plans to shoot any does in the areas I hunt, and the chances of a buck I want to shoot showing up in daylight are slim.

What's odd is that the deer herds in the areas I hunt never seem to really increase over time (with 10+ years of hunting/camming at the spots I'm currently hunting).

Some areas I've abandoned entirely due to the lack of deer (primarily public unlimited zone areas).

[Bucksnbows]

I have greatly reduced my NJ harvest the last 3 years.  Other than a couple I took on Rusty's cull hunt which is a special situation, I haven't shot a doe in NJ in 3 seasons and only one buck, a deer I recently took with muzzle loader in early December.  I have shot deer out of state, but I would typically shoot up to 3 deer in NJ often with 2 of those being does.  I'm just not seeing deer the past 2 years, and 3 seasons ago I had open heart surgery and only did the cull hunt with a borrowed crossbow and none with other weapons because the doc said "no" to shooting a gun or drawing back a compound bow.  I will likely not shoot any does next fall unless my daughter wants to take one with her new crossbow. I can shoot baldies in NY next year as we have tons of deer there still.  For now, I'm a buck hunter only and I likely am done deer hunting for the season although I have an invite to hunt NJ Audubon property not open to the public and may need to help them out to keep up my great relations with that organization.  But they have deer on that farm and plenty of them.

 

So far, the fall and now winter are very good for whitetail reproduction.  Let's see what the rest of the winter brings, but we should see a rebound year.  It will take more than one year, however.....    

[outdoorslife]

I havnt taken any deer from public land that ive hunted...and the sightings have been slim to none. Public land deer in 19 have gotten the pass from me. 

 

I think, at least for public land, if the state went to most zones being similar to reg set 0 but incorporating many of hunters push for 1 or 2 bucks a year we would see a vast increase of the herd after a few years. One deer per season and lets say 2 buck tags, preferably 1. Shoot a buck and your done for that season. 

Edited January 4, 2016 by outdoorslife

[Lphunsjr]

Me too. Lol

 

Well, I did my part in 2015 by not shooting any deer...

[Bucksnbows]

One thing that has to be kept on the table is for the Division to have the tools needed to ensure healthy NJ forests and safe roads, both of which are greatly affected by whitetail deer.  Like it or not, the current reg sets allow for that and it has taken a relatively long time to balance the herd with some zones still not there yet.  We need to also recognize that the current situation has some important factors that led to a greatly reduced number of deer in most zones with deep snow and failed mast crops being just two of those factors.  Increased predation by apex predators including man is also very important.  The Division has taken steps to reduce two of the predators - bear and coyote - but currently has no plans that we know of to curb the other - hunters.  So, just as with declining duck numbers in the 80s in the Prairie pothole region or our declining woodcock numbers in the 80s and 90s, we hunters need to take the lead now and voluntarily reduce our takes.  That ultimately sends a clear message to the fish and game agencies to reduce bag limits which they will do if hunters ban together to voluntarily curb their (our) taking of deer.      

Edited January 4, 2016 by Bucksnbows

[Hitemnasty]

I'm actually doing something most don't do and targeting a small buck on a private piece I have. There seems to be quite a few bucks on this property with majority being spikes and fork horns. There is also a decent number of good bucks here but I've already took a bruin buck this year and would really like some young tender meat for freezer without shooting a doe. So bring on that spiker! I'm in tree now waiting wind blowing in my face.

[smoking gun]

Simple just don't hunt and let the herd rebound...there's no shortage of where I hunt I have over 449 pix in 2 weeks does bucks you name it just need time to hunt.it cracks me up all the talk of managing deer you cannot manage something you don't control unless it's penned in.you don't kill does you end up with too many and out of wack ratio you kill little buck he don't grow to potential of what I don't know I guess an insatiable desire you kill bruiser then there goes a good gene pool being passed on? What is it I dont know I think man overanylizes and his brain shortcircuits.you kill doe in sept for that eab is no different then killing one later on in the year.none of it makes sense just hunt and enjoy and kill what makes you happy.

Edited January 4, 2016 by smoking gun

[smoking gun]

I'm actually doing something most don't do and targeting a small buck on a private piece I have. There seems to be quite a few bucks on this property with majority being spikes and fork horns. There is also a decent number of good bucks here but I've already took a bruin buck this year and would really like some young tender meat for freezer without shooting a doe. So bring on that spiker! I'm in tree now waiting wind blowing in my face.

That's what's up you got it right...less pressure on big boys and if there's alot of young ones have at it. Edited January 4, 2016 by smoking gun