Cull buck

[Arctic]

In order to effectively "cull bucks" you have to let them reach maturity, or at least 4.5 years of age. I would guess that less than 10-20% of all bucks in the state of MN ever reach that age. Studies have shown that it is nearly impossible to accurately cull out inferior genetics in a wild herd.

You are absolutely right. There is NO WAY to know the full potential of a young buck until it lives to a mature age. Theoretically, in a free-ranging herd, the only way you could "improve genetics" is to limit the harvest of young bucks over a LARGE geographic area, and then cull "inferior" bucks, based on their rack appearance. In reality, though, those "inferior" bucks would have already bred several times, thereby passing on their genes!!

[vister]

you can't have cull bucks unless in high fences, knowing FOR A FACT you've seen that deer over the years and what he is/isn't capable of growing. on the other hand, if you want big bucks, QUIT SHOOTING LITTLE ONES! the ONLY way they get big is by being given the chance to grow up.

the argument "if i don't shoot it, the neighbors will" is a load of hooey! who is to say the neighbors will even see that deer, let alone hit it if it does walk out. maybe the neighbors will pass it hoping he gets bigger, just like you are.

if you pass on bucks every year, and the neighbors still shoot them, then at least you know you're doing your part. over the past few years, a lot of bucks have come and gone, given me perfect shot oppurtunities, but i have it in my head that if I shoot it now, i know it wont get bigger! its a gamble, but letting them walk is the best way to see, and hope they get bigger.

cull bucks are what game farms have, not what wild, free-range deer are.