Can anything be done ?

[Musky Buck]

Just noticing a lack of 2 1/2 year old and older bucks in my area especially in the last 4 seasons especially scouting as much as I do and with trailcams. I don't see them in velvet as in years past and know the neighbors and many land owners around there shoot everything which is there choice. This year's monster was a 6 point that dressed 120. There were 4 bucks I'm aware of and many button bucks that went down just as in the past 3 seasons in the couple sections I hunt in. I know I need to relocate but it's hard to come to grips with. What if anything can be done other then to sell out ? I have talked some with some of these guys, these are not hard up meat kind of people, the 2009 brand new ext. cabs tell me that. Will it ever come back to where there's a few adult bucks around ? This is 4 years of seeing zero, from my stand(s) or the truck. It's like getting harder to go because the deer I hope to see doesn't even exist, sure there's likely 1 freaked out good buck in the neighborhood but realistically it's not going to change or how can it when any deer is being gunned down. Anyone have poor quality buck sightings etc. for a few years and it rebounded and if so why do you think it did and I'm not looking for a Hillview Management type of thing. Also, shed hunting the past 4 winters has been futile, no bucks or just a few little guys.

[T.S128]

you prob aren't goin to be seein a lot of older deer. I don't think there is none but probably very little and probably educated. i don't know how big your piece of land is but you could always get some bigger boys come cruisin in lookin for does. unless all your neighbors stop puttin down the little guys i don't see how they can grow up. good luck

[matthothand]

Before you just pack it up and find another area I'd definately swing by this spring in the off season and stop by all your neighbors' places for some casual chat and/or coffee. If you bring it up casually and start a discussion on deer hunting you might be suprised at those that will listen and be willing to be a bit more selective. I did this a couple years ago and though some neighbors were not going to get on board others agreed to try it and see what happens over the next few years. I just told them what we've been doing on our property and what another neighbor has been doing on his and asked them if they wanted to join. It's resulted in many more male deer of all ages on everyone's property. There are A LOT of people that are in the same situation and after a while they start doing as the neighbors do and shoot little bucks. If anyone really wants a shot a taking a big buck you simply can't shoot the little ones. Lots of people justify it by saying, "If I don't shoot it my neighbor will." Sure that will hold true sometimes but don't give the neighbors too much credit. They won't get them all. If you keep passing them up they've still got a chance.

[picksbigwagon]

+1 Matt,

talk with your neighbors, it is the only way that changes will be made.....The state will not do it, and I don't believe they should. That leaves the ball in your court