The Bucks Stop Here: Week 2
A Chat with Jared McJunkin, NWTF Regional Biologist

We asked NWTF members to submit their questions about hunting and managing land for deer, and had a great response. Read on to learn everything you need to know about land management, buck-to-doe ratios and more.

Buck-to-Doe Ratios

Q: Assuming ownership of 900-plus acres of river bottom habitat containing a healthy deer herd, what would be the most desirable buck-to-doe ratio?
—Trey Clark, Terre Haute, Ind.

A: Most biologists recommend a buck-to-doe ratio of 1:1, but this can be difficult to achieve in the wild, as males experience higher mortality rates than females from birth. That being said, most deer management plans strive to achieve a buck-to-doe ratio of 1:1 and your efforts should strive for this ratio, with the understanding that this it can be difficult to achieve.

Q: Are there any tricks to lure deer to small food plots if you have baiting regulations in your area? A lot of people can't afford to plant a big food plot or they may not have the land to plant an acre or more.
—Nick Stegman, South Haven, Mich.

A: Food plot composition and placement will dictate deer activity in these plots, especially small food plots. The key to using small food plots effectively is to plant several small plots, if possible, with different varieties of crops. Timing also dictates deer visitation at food plots. For example, in the early season, deer find green fields with clovers or alfalfa inviting. Food plots with grain crops such as corn, sorghum or even soybeans will be more attractive to deer as the season progresses and temperatures drop.

Pay close attention to the palatability of these food sources and maturation rate and keep a log of when deer in your area are using various types of forage. Realize that deer prefer certain types of forage at different times of the year and keying in on these food sources and making them available in your food plots, small or large, should increase deer activity in your plots.

Placing your food plots in areas where deer feel safe also should increase visitation to the plots. Consider placing small food plots on the interior of your property where deer receive less disturbance in the form of humans or traffic on nearby roads. This encourages deer to visit these plots more in daylight hours, thus during shooting hours.

Q: What can be done to better teach ranchers and hunters that a buck-to-doe ratio of more then 3 to 1 is not healthy for the population? Some areas in Georgia and Florida have a ratio of 8 or better to one, and they don't want to shoot does.
— Douglas Griswold, Zephyrhills, Fla.

A: Education and outreach efforts are critical to managing a healthy deer herd, and these efforts should be made to all those involved with the management of the herd. The struggle with this education effort is that you need to involve a variety of user groups and they might have varying views on deer herd management goals and objectives.

For example, it is not uncommon for hunters and ranchers or farmers to have different views on what constitutes a healthy deer herd. Ongoing education to hunters and the general public needs to take place to ensure that everyone understands the importance of a healthy deer herd and the potential negative impacts to hunters and ranchers alike when this is not the case.

Hunting is a vital management tool for managing wildlife populations and, as hunters, we must consider the desires of others when making management decisions. High deer populations can lead to problems for both the hunter and the rancher, but especially the deer herd itself. Cooperative efforts can be made with your state wildlife agencies, conservation groups, and landowner action groups, such as grazing coalitions. Reach out to these groups with your concerns about the lack of doe harvest and try to work with them to come up with a reasonable compromise and agreed-upon management goals.

Q: Hunting on a friend's property, I see a lot of movement every day. However, I have yet to see any large-antlered deer. Just yesterday evening, I had 27 deer under my stand. There were only two small spikes among them. I was wondering if it would be smart to really take a chunk of the doe population off his land. I have heard that to grow big bucks, you need a 1:1 doe-to-buck ratio. I also would love some tips on how to get that big buck to come within range in the open field. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!
— Jeremy Liles, Raleigh, N.C.

A: A high number of does and young bucks can be an indication of a deer herd that is out of balance, but also keep in mind that old, and often bigger, bucks keep their movements to a minimum for survival and are rarely conspicuous in their daily activities. The rut is the prime time to catch big, mature bucks on their feet.

In addition, innovative scouting techniques, such as installing trail cameras, can provide a lot of insight into just what the deer herd is comprised of on a property. Many times hunters and managers put out trail cameras and find out there are some real quality bucks on the properties they are hunting or managing that they did not even know existed.

Having a buck-to-doe ratio of 1:1 is often a management goal for land managers attempting to grow trophy deer and providing hunting opportunity, as it leads to a healthier deer herd and bucks actively seeking does due to their lower numbers. Try to learn more about the deer herd on the property and work with a professional to set doe management goals before proceeding with an aggressive doe management plan.

As for your last question, we all want to get that big buck into range, especially when they are visible in an open field. Calling and rattling works some of the time, but especially when the rut is in full swing. Try some rattling, grunting and bleating when that buck shows himself in an open field. Hopefully, the commotion will get his attention and he will come in closer to investigate. Stand placement also can assist in this situation. If you routinely have a buck entering or exiting a field in a certain location, don't be afraid to be aggressive and move your stand location closer to that point to try to intercept the buck.

Q: How do you determine how many does to shoot from any management area?
—Grey Worrell, Hillsville, Va.

A: There has been a lot written regarding how many does to take off a particular property, and organizations such as the Quality Deer Management Association (QDMA) have information available for assisting in this management decision. You must bear in mind that there are a lot of factors that help determine how many does to take out of a local herd. The first thing to consider is your management goals and objectives. Are you interested in growing big bucks or providing hunting opportunities - or both?

Removing does from the herd obviously lowers the population, but it also reduces the stress on forage sources on a particular property and can lead to a healthier overall deer herd. The key to successful deer management, including doe management, is the participation and cooperation of neighboring landowners and hunters. Consider sitting down with your neighbors and adjacent hunters and discussing agreed-upon goals for the area deer herd. It only makes sense to involve your neighbors, as it will take a cooperative effort to achieve your management goals for a particular area.

Q: I hunt on about 350 acres in Leon County, Texas. I mainly bowhunt. The doe-to-buck ratio is terrible. I would have to guess it is 10:1. There is no problem spotting 20 or more does before seeing any buck, and with the 13-inch rule in effect there are several four, six, and small eight points around. The land is only protected by low fence separating property lines, so I was wondering if this is worth the effort to try and manage.

This is family land so the money saved from paying for a lease could be absorbed into a management plan if possible. The place is flooded with hogs and without a feeder pin I'd have the threat of them coming in and running the deer off. I also have noticed this year that most of the deer population are very thin, and not very healthy for the most part.

There are plenty of creeks with water in them and the property backs up to the lake, but it seems as though the acorns have just started to look good and falling by the truckload, maybe due to rain. Well, good hunting to all and I would appreciate your comments.
— Troy Buck, Tomball, Texas

A: Managing any property for wildlife is an investment in both time and money, but the results are often worth the investment. Many properties across the U.S. are effectively managed with low fences and this should not scare you from actively managing your family ranch. An active doe management program might pay big dividends for your property.

You mentioned acorn crops. Acorn crops are highly variable and can have a lot to do with the condition of the deer in the herd, but they are often a seasonably available food source and not always a staple in the local herd's diet. The fact that the acorns are now dropping should be a good sign for the deer herd on your place. My advice would be to invest some time discussing your particular operation with a local wildlife biologist to get their thoughts, input, and recommendations on the feasibility and cost of implementing a deer management program on your ranch. Good luck in your efforts and hunting this fall!

Q: If the land you manage has carrying capacity for more deer than you have, should you be concerned about the buck-to-doe ratio or with shooting does?
— Bill Aston, Latta, S.C.

A: Determining the carrying capacity for a particular piece of property is not always simple and should be done only by a trained professional. There are a lot of factors and indicators when judging the carrying capacity for a property, and some of these might not be evident to the untrained eye. That being said, the buck-to-doe ratio is important for keeping the herd in balance and managing for quality deer and should always be a management consideration when managing for deer.

General

Q: Do deer shed their hair? In the spring their coats are light colored and in the fall they are very dark.
— Joel Taylor, Chestertown, Md.

A: Deer shed their coats twice a year, which is referred to as molting. They shed their thick winter coat that they need for insulation during the cold winter months. This is the coat you often see during the fall and winter that is grey or duller in color. They also shed their reddish-colored summer coat again during the late summer and early fall. The molting process is driven by temperature and the length of days.

Q: Can mule deer and white-tail deer breed successfully? Also, I live in Maryland and I'm seeing more fawns as late as November. Have breeding cycles changed in recent years?
— Billy Moore, La Plata, Md.

A: There is evidence that white-tailed deer and mule deer can interbreed with the more aggressive white-tailed buck typically breeding mule deer does. Conditions are right in that where these two species overlap, the timing of the rut, or breeding season, for the two overlaps as well. The resulting hybrid often looks more like a white-tailed deer but the mule deer genes persist in the length and coloration of the tail and the tendency for bucks to have antlers that bifurcate, or fork.

Fawning times are highly variable and can be driven by several factors. High deer populations can lead to younger does coming into estrus and breeding later in the season, thus producing fawns later. Also, weather can suppress breeding and rut timing and throw off the normal fawning cycle for deer in locally isolated populations. Extended periods of drought also are thought to play a role in fawning cycles.

Q: In Wisconsin we are looking at going to a 16-day season as an alternative to earn-a-buck. One of the options would be to start the season during the rut so more deer are active and would hopefully harvest more deer. Some groups in the state are saying this would not be good because too many bucks would get shot from the earlier gun season and does would not get bred. Last I checked one buck breeds several does so I'm wondering where they got their scientific information? Please help by giving us the real scientific information on a gun season during the rut. Thanks for your help!
— Scott Noll, Ama, Wis.

A: There are a lot of factors to consider when state agencies are setting their annual seasons and deer management goals and objectives. The status of the herd, age structure, population levels, hunter desires and the desires of the general public must all be considered when making these decisions. We need to keep in mind that whether we prefer to hunt with a bow, rifle or muzzleloader, we are all hunters and we need to embrace the choice of others to use their preferred method of take for deer. The over-riding principle should be doing what is best for the deer herd to provide opportunities to as many sportsmen as possible while maintaining a healthy deer herd.

Allowing a gun season during the rut has spurred many heated debates and there probably is no clear-cut answer. Rifle hunting during the rut might be a concern for some, but there are states such as Nebraska and South Dakota where this has happened for some time. Yet, these states still produce quality deer. Undoubtedly, bucks are less wary during the rut and more likely to make a mistake that might allow a hunter to harvest them.

Archery equipment and bowhunters, in general, have become more proficient at harvesting deer as equipment and technology has improved. Yet, many states allow archery hunting during the rut, with little ill effects on the quality of the deer taken by sportsmen.

You are right that one buck does breed several does, similar to male wild turkeys breeding several hens during the spring breeding season. Most spring wild turkey seasons are set to capture the second peak of breeding to ensure that the majority of hens have already been bred. One could certainly argue that a similar season could be set for deer, but you also have to take into consideration that the period a doe is in estrus and receptive to a buck is a much smaller time frame and this would prove problematic when setting seasons.

The entire rut also takes place over a short period of time and is highly variable from location to location, being influenced by factors such as weather, which further confounds season setting. Provide your input to your state wildlife agency since they make season setting decisions and encourage others to be involved in this process. As hunters, we need to work together to support state wildlife agencies in their efforts to manage wildlife and refrain from divisive comments that can polarize other hunter groups.

Q: What am I doing wrong about my scent control? I use every type of scent-killing tool including Scentlok clothes, detergent, dryer sheets, deodorant, body wash, shampoo, scent killer spray and even gum and they still smell me!
—Kevin Wilk, Greensburg, Pa.

A: I share your frustration. One thing to keep in mind with deer and scent control is that there is no 100-percent effective method for controlling human scent. As hunters, we can employ many different methods to reduce human scent. However, in my opinion, you still need to hunt the wind. I am a bowhunter and I am religious about my scent control, but at times deer still catch my scent. Bear in mind that a deer's nose is very sensitive and they can catch the smallest of human scents.

In my opinion, to be effective at controlling your scent, you have to take it to the extreme. I have done this and, with the exception of a few instances, I have not been winded by deer for some time. But, remember that I still try to hunt the wind whenever possible.

Here is my personal ritual. Maybe it will help. I store all of my clothes and equipment, including gloves, pull-up ropes, safety harnesses and ropes, in a scent-proof container year-round. This can be as simple as a plastic storage tote with a good seal, which you can make using common window seals. You can even add local scents such as cedar, pine, earth scents or acorns to this tote to keep the items smelling like the woods.

I keep my scent-control specific clothing in a separate container; actually a bag or tote designed for scent-control clothing. I do not place any other scents in this container, as these clothing items are designed to absorb scent and they will absorb any scent in the container, greatly reducing their effectiveness at absorbing human scent when you are on stand. It is important to wash scent-control clothing periodically and follow the manufacturer's directions for re-activating the material if needed. Before every hunting trip, I take a shower using scent-free shampoo and many of the other items you mentioned. I travel to my hunting spot in undergarments and light outerwear; I actually use surgical scrubs. This prevents your hunting clothes from picking up any residual scents in your vehicle or at locations along the way, such as a gas station.

Once at my hunting spot, I change into my hunting clothes at the vehicle and spray everything down with a scent-killing spray; this includes my bow, backpack, outer clothes and anything else that is going into the woods with me. Then I proceed to my stand or blind slowly to prevent myself from overheating and increasing my human scent. If I get hot, I stop and cool off before proceeding. I think this is an important and often over-looked step in the scent control process, as we are often excited to get on stand and rush in. Walking slowly not only helps with your scent control, but also reduces the chance of spooking deer.

Covering scents on your boots or some of your equipment also can aid in fooling a deer's nose. After the hunt, it is back into the surgical scrubs and everything is back into its respective scent-proof container. This might sound extreme, but it has been very effective for me over the years. I hope this helps and good luck this fall!

Q: On many of the TV shows they will have a segment on aging deer. They talk about not relying on antlers so much but on body size and characteristics. The problem is if you are talking about the Midwest where deer have better nutrition you have larger deer. In Texas, they are smaller. We here in Arkansas are in between. Should we use the "Texas scale?" Its not always obvious and you need to see several Arkansas deer to judge.
— Tony Moss, Rose Bud, Ark.

A: Aging deer on the hoof takes some training and practice but most hunters learn to do it with enough practice. Body size is a factor you have to consider when aging live deer, but is not the best indicator of a deer's age. You must first take into consideration where you are hunting, be it the Midwest or Texas, or Arkansas for that matter, as deer will have varying characteristics determined by where they live.

There are several factors to consider that can be tell-tale signs you are looking at an older deer. Older deer, both does and bucks, tend to get a swayed-back and pot-bellied look when they are "up there" in years. In addition, eyes typically get a squinted appearance and the skin on the face and neck begins to sag. A deer's coat can tell you a little as well, especially around the eyes. Older bucks often look grey around the muzzle and eyes and just look older, much like the appearance of an older dog.

With regards to aging bucks, young bucks generally are skinnier in appearance and look like does with antlers. When they reach 3.5 years of age, they begin to take on a more muscular look, even outside of the rutting period and especially in the neck area. They have a thin waist and their legs appear longer than an older buck. When they reach 4.5 years of age they take on a look, often referred to as a linebacker look, where the front quarters are much more defined and muscular. A mature buck just looks much more solidly built than a 2.5- or 3.5-year-old deer, and their waists appear, or are, as wide as their chest. A buck in his prime looks more like a thick bull than a linebacker. With practice and experience, you can easily learn to differentiate between the various age classes of bucks.

Does, on the other hand, can be harder to age in the field. One thing to remember is that a lone deer is more often a fawn than an adult doe. Fawns also engage in a lot of playful activity and don't move through the woods as "matter of fact" as an adult doe would. My personal recommendation for harvesting does is to refrain from harvesting lone deer to avoid accidental harvest of a fawn.

Does, when mature, typically get a "muley" appearance, with their ears appearing longer. Mature does also share the same characteristics of a mature buck, i.e. pot-belly, swayed back, squinty eyes, etc. There are several very good resources available to the hunter wanting to perfect their ability to age deer on the hoof, and I would recommend taking a look at some of this information and begin learning about aging deer on the hoof.

Q: Can deer see colors?
— David West, Carthage, Tenn.

A: This question comes up a lot and there have been many studies investigating the ability of deer to see color. Suffice to say that deer do not see colors as you do. In comparison to humans, deer have a higher concentration of rods for nighttime vision, but fewer cones needed for color reception during daylight hours. So, deer see very well at night but don't see color as well as humans during daylight hours. Brian Murphy, with the Quality Deer Management Association, wrote an article detailing a study they carried out regarding deer vision and this can be read by clicking here. I hope this provides more detailed information regarding your question.

Q: I used red fox urine on scent pads on boots while entering my ground blind. I know what time deer are passing through, because I've seen them on trail cam pictures. They aren't coming around when I'm there. The urine is about four years old. Could this be why, and please explain how long of a shelf life is on red fox urine.
— Charles Patch, Smock, Pa.

A: My guess is that it might be time for some new cover scent! Undoubtedly, your 4-year-old fox urine has likely lost at least some of its effectiveness. Fox urine and other urine scents are largely comprised of ammonia, which will break down over time and not provide the scent desired by a hunter. While I don't know the exact shelf life of products such as fox urine, I would recommend replacing it on an annual basis to reduce the chance of it breaking down and losing its effectiveness.

That being said, there could be many factors leading to your lack of deer activity at your hunting location. The aforementioned fox urine could be part of the problem, but remember to practice scent control at all times before, during and after the hunt. When entering your hunting location, wear rubber boots that have been sprayed with a scent-killing product and avoid walking in active deer trails at all costs. A deer's nose is very efficient at its job and any small trace of human scent can ruin your hunt. See one of my earlier answers for more information on scent control tactics for deer hunters and good luck this fall!

Q: How do you age a deer after it is harvested?
— Paul Racey, Edinburg, Va.

A: The most effective and accepted method for aging a deer is investigating tooth wear. This is done by examining the molars and pre-molars found on the bottom jaw. As with any aging method, there are confounding factors and some room for subjectivity, but this is the most common method for aging deer. There are many resources available to hunters outlining how to use this aging method including books, DVDs and jaw models. It is a relatively easy method to use, and I would recommend that hunters take the time to learn this method, particularly if they are interested in the age class of their deer herd and are employing a management strategy for that herd.

Deer Biology

Q: Do does get too old to breed and have fawns? Or do they die of old age first?
— TW Webb, Millport, Ala.

A: I am not entirely sure when, or if, does lose the ability to breed and have offspring. My guess is that if they are in a healthy body condition and they are not stressed that they can breed. Most breeding and production in a deer population comes from the older does in any herd.

Q: Why does the timing of rut vary so widely throughout of the country?
— Charles DeRamus, Prattville, Ala.

A: The key factor driving the rut is photoperiod and the increase of hormones in deer; hormone production is directly related to photoperiod. Day length will vary depending on your location and this is what leads to the variation in rut timing.

Weather is another key factor that can alter or drive rut activity. Cooler weather is often found around the onset of the rut and warmer weather often suppresses rutting activity, at least daylight rutting activity seen in mature bucks. Deer are not designed for high levels of activity in excessive heat and they will often narrow their window of activity or shift their activities to the nighttime.

Q: What causes sticker points on whitetail deer antlers? I hunt two farms that are a 20 minute drive apart, both have good genetics. At one farm all the deer have sticker points on the racks and at the other there are no sticker points. The only thing different is that I have planted several food plots at the farm were the deer have sticker points. Is the high protein what makes the difference?
— Clint Turner, Franklin, Ill.

A: Antler development in deer is highly variable and not entirely understood when it comes to abnormalities such as sticker points. Is it accepted among most biologists that injury to an animal can dictate the shape of a deer's rack. I don't know that the food plots themselves would be leading to the development of sticker points, but the added nutrition might be allowing the abnormal points to express themselves due to the added forage and nutrients available to the deer herd. The increased frequency of sticker points on the one farm likely means the genes for the sticker points are in the genetics of the local deer herd and, again, your added nutrition could be allowing them to consistently put on these extra points.

Q: My question is why do some bucks have white racks and why do some have chocolate brown racks? I saw a nice nine-point buck taken last Saturday with a 20-inch spread the rack was chocolate brown.
— David Cleland, Enola, Pa.

A: Most biologists believe that the color of a deer's antlers is determined by the types of foods they are eating during the antler development period, forage in the area, genetics, and the type of trees they are rubbing.

Deer Hunting Laws/Bag Limits

Q: How many states allow crossbows during the archery season?
—Russell Porter, Brookesmith, Texas

A: Regulations on the use of crossbows vary widely across the country. Some states allow crossbows at all times; some allow them during archery seasons; some allow them during firearm seasons; and some allow mixtures of these rules. It would be lengthy to provide a list of all of the states that allow crossbows here, but a quick call to the respective state agencies would produce the answer to your question. Also, a quick search on the internet would likely reveal a comprehensive list of state crossbow regulations. However, bear in mind that you still need to check with the state agency to get the most-up-to-date information regarding regulations pertaining to crossbows and not rely entirely on a link such as the one given above.

Q: Some states allow hunting over bait, meaning food that does not naturally occur on the property. What are the determining factors that make one state allow using bait and others such as Georgia not? While I wish hunting over bait was allowed at least to some extent, I understand that to many they do not consider this as sporting but more as cheating the wildlife or as giving the hunter too much of an advantage. I would prefer a more legal answer to this question.
— Charles Rumney, Marietta, Ga.

A: Baiting of deer, or any wildlife, is a decision that is up to the state agency managing the wildlife resources in their respective state. While I am not familiar with the specific reasons certain states allow baiting and others don't, I will say that this is a passionate debate and many decisions made by state agencies take into consideration the desires of their constituents: hunters. So, if this is an issue you have some concern over or would like to voice your opinion on, then I would suggest engaging yourself in public meetings and requests for public comments when this type of issue comes up.