Deer Management Basics
We’ve spent the last few weeks covering land management but there’s another side of the coin. Aside from the many ways to improve your land, herd management is critical for growing and keeping big old bucks on your property.
Deer management is a slow process and it takes discipline but, if you do it right, you’re going to see some amazing results. While there are many ways to approach herd management, here are a few basic tips to keep in mind.
Deer Numbers
It may seem like the more deer you’ve got running around your property the better. Who doesn’t want to see two dozen deer every time they sit in the woods, right? However, tracts of land can only support so many deer.
It’s important to understand your property and how many deer it can support in a healthy manner. Exceeding this number (a problem seen throughout the East) results in poor herd nutrition and the quicker spread of many of the diseases we hear about every year.
The three things that go into determining how many deer your property can support are fairly basic: food, shelter, water. We’ve found it best to consult a local biologist for help. Also, the QDMA website is a great source of information. Here’s a great article to get you started.
Buck-to-Doe Ratio
The buck-to-doe ratio is closely related to healthy deer numbers in your area. Wildlife biologists often use these ratios to understand the local deer population and to set property harvest quotas in your area.
Otherwise known as a “sex ratio”, the buck-to-doe ratio, is the number of does per each adult buck in a certain herd. When you read these ratios, remember that the doe number is typically listed first - a 5:1 ratio means that there are 3 does per buck. These ratios can be determined through trail cam surveys or field research and are often calculated in the hunting off season. Ideally, you’d want a 1:1 ratio but that can be pretty difficult to achieve. Typically, you’ll see a much higher number of does per buck.
One reason among many that a balanced buck-to-doe ratio is so important (other than you seeing more bucks in a given year) is because it creates a healthy rut. Bucks will work hard every year to breed every doe. When there are a lot more does than bucks in an area, you’ll see a long drawn-out rut with several waves. This will wear out the bucks, leaving them more vulnerable to weather, predators and diseases. Here’s a helpful video with Kip Adams on understanding how to determine the best ratio.
Age Class
We all love shooting big old bucks but understanding the age of your herd and harvesting in an appropriate manner is another critical aspect to proper herd management. The most healthy deer herds will have some older deer, some middle-aged deer and some young deer.
This is where QDM and trophy management can differ. QDM seeks to create a balanced age structure while trophy management seeks to create as many old mature bucks as possible. We tend to believe that practicing QDM is a more responsible and natural approach to your deer herd. It’s also the best for the herd as a whole - better nutrition, healthier rut and better for fawns.
Here’s a great article from the University of Missouri that breaks down QDM and the age of your herd.
Creating a healthy, balanced herd should be the goal of every deer steward out there. It takes a lot of work and discipline but the payoffs can be huge. Next time you hit the woods, keep these three things in mind. You’ll create a healthy, balanced herd and drastically improve your hunts this Fall.