Big WI bucks

[Cooter]

Is it just me, or does it seem like lately(past 5 yrs. or so) there's an unbelieveable number of big bucks you either see or hear about? Don't know if its the internet, QDM, mild winters, or what but just talking to people, stopping at the local taxidermists, the number and size of big bucks taken each year just seems to increase. One of these decades, I'll be the one with the big buck pic Truly, we live in whitetail heaven, and if these aren't the 'good ol days', I can't wait to see whats coming.

[Jim Hudson]

Cooter

I agree.A lot of nice bucks being taken in the past few years!! I believe there have always been a huge amount of quality racks in our state, just now with the age of technology, the information gets spread so much faster and wider. Where before, only the local public got to see or hear about the area's top deer. Unless it was a real big bruiser. Also, I think a lot has to do with the huge population of deer our state has. But yes, some dandies being taken each and every year, and I have been lucky to take my share. But, hopefully one day I will get that elusive "booner"!!!

[Super Black]

Agreeing with both of your posts, I too believe that we have been harvesting some real nice whitetails. QDM and mild winters have helped greatly. I still think we can do better, urging hunting groups to practice QDM and shooting some doe's. I've been out shining lately and still can't believe the numbers of doe's and fawns. No matter how many we shoot in my area, we just can't seem to get the population in check. This year I was fortunate enough to take take a 157 inch buck the last week of October. And my fahter took a 140 inch class buck a few day's later. Mind you everyone does QDM in that area. It really pays off. SB

[Cooter]

I might have to look up recent info on the numbers of P&Y and B&C entrees and compare it to say the stats from 10 years ago.

I do think it is a combination of the factors already mentioned. I have a couple buddys who hunt Chequamegon forest near Hayward and have been passing up bucks big as 8 pts with say 14 inch spreads - something you rarely heard of even a couple years ago.

I also think the areas that get enough neighbors/landowners into QDM are producing dandy bucks in areas that previously just didn't grow nice bucks. Its not just Buffalo and the northern counties kicking out bruisers, its all over the state now(with much more regularity than in the past).

[harvey lee]

I have not hunted in Wis. for about 5 years,but hunt alot in MN. and North Dakota with both bow and rifle.

When you talk about quality deer I do believe that the numbers are up.While hunting in N.D. for the past 15 years,the number of BIG bucks we have seen and taken has increased.Maybe we are lucky or it may be that the numbers have increased.

Where we hunt in N.D.,you can have a Buck archery,buck gun(if drawn) and numerous doe tags.This has been going on for the past 3 years and the herd is not down.Every year someone in our group takes a P&Y or very close to it.Also,with the rifle season,if you are patient,you will see at a minium a 160-180 class buck.I hunt a private ranch that has QDM program in place and it works.

The last 3 years I personally have taken

1-132-10pt-bow-2002

2-168-10pt-gun-2005-saw 13 more this size in 2 days

3-173-12pt-gun-1999

4-123-10pt-bow-2004

And a 134-8pt-bow from Glascow,Montana.Boy,they have bucks-Milk River area.

I am not bragging,just saying that the deer are out there if you have the time and patience to hunt.I do have the ability to hunt 4 days a week and numerous states which really help find the bigger dudes.Also,my buddies say I could find a nice buck anywhere as I always see them.

Maybe-Just lucky!!!!

Maybe we could all go and buy a section in Bufflao County,then we probably would all harvest a biggy or at the least see them.

[Cooter]

Harvey - just curious, have you ever been to Buffalo Co? It is a whitetail paradise, but land prices are amazingly high. That place will continue to produce monsters.

[harvey lee]

Cooter,yes I hunted in Bufflao county about 6 years ago.I spent 3 days over there trying to find a few places to hunt for free.Very hard thing to do,but we got permission to hunt 3 farms and took 2 bucks,dont remember how big,not trophys.Yes,land is a little on the spendy side.

[Cooter]

Harvey - Did the free hunting come to an end or did you just choose to hunt elsewhere?

[harvey lee]

No, i just hunted Wisconson that year as it was a different state to go hunting in.It took alot of asking to find a few to say yes,you just have to keep knocking on the doors and take alot of no-way.Tough area to hunt as there are plenty of hills.