Here is something that aggravates me. I know for a fact there is an area that selects the same individuals every year. Here is the deal, if you take a doe, then you keep getting invited back. A wildlife tech from there confirmed it was true and their logic behind it: Because, that keeps there doe count low and there big buck count up. That's all fine and good, but put a limit on it and give others an opportunity.
While I'm on rant, I would like to bring up how the public hunting grounds are operated. For starters, why the heck are there three mile long food plots ? It's great that we have them, but gees, it's nothing but winter wheat. Another question, is it the budget that dictates this ? Or the biologist recommendations ? If it's the budget, I can understand a little more. If it's the biologist, well.....I'm just speechless. All the states around us are known for their well managed deer herds(White-tailed deer are not herd animals, but their numbers as a whole are called herd). Oklahoma can have this, but choose not to. Quality Deer Management Association(QDMA) successfully influenced ODWC, but QDMA's mission is to gain monster bucks. So they got the number of bucks harvested dropped by one.
Obviously I'm not a biologist, but it's going to take more than just dropping the number of bucks harvested. For starters, the buck-to-doe ratio is crazy. Some places it's 1:20. With a number like that, inbreeding has started. I have seen this for a few years now. It's not difficult to notice, heck I've harvested several in one area. Trying to do my part, culling out inferior deer. The does really need to be thinned out, but again, I'm not a biologist.
This would be my proposal: Cut the harvest of any buck other than a cull buck. Most of time they're not difficult to judge, and if a hunter doesn't know a short class would suffice. Next increase the doe harvest, say 6-10 per hunter. I do understand some hunters are not meat hunters, but they can donate their deer to the hungry. We could also lower the price for out of state tags. That could bring more hunters, and could stimulate local economies. This should go on 2-3 hunting seasons. Then open the buck harvest, say two bucks and a point rule. The buck must have four points on one side. All of the above would produce quality and healthy deer, in my opinion.
I would like to visit with the decision makers at ODWC. Maybe I could understand their decisions a little better.
Anyways, believe it or not, I am very happy that we got selected on a controlled. Hopefully we both tag out. Odds are against us, two days to hunt the area and I've only been there once. My plan is to enjoy time spent outdoors in good company. Now I'm just waiting for the weekend.
I also wanted to share this picture of a 30-point buck taken from WI. I know OK has a deer or two that size maybe one of us will get a crack at him.
