Backyard Bucky Few Minutes Ago

[Muddyboots]

2 years, I have been lucky last couple years getting onto bucks in Indiana private land plus killed a great buck 156 7/8 in 2019 here in SW MI. Been chasing him for 2+ years too. Last year was an anomaly for me. I tagged 2 good bucks in MI (first time I have done that) and good one in Indiana which is my avatar in 2019. Costly at taxidermist! The Euro mount of the MI buck turned out pretty good I think.

 

[JMW67]

The real issue is if neighbors will let him walk. I bet not. Unless he beds down in my yard for season! I have about 2 acres of thick pines and he seems to like it there. Nice and cool. Does and fawns also like it there.View attachment 207014

Had the same issue till I talked to them one year and it turned out they had the same thought process so we get together ever couple months and discuss what deer should be taken our small herd has improved alot in 3 years cannot wait to see it in 4 to 5 more years

 

[1894C]

He needs a year. He doesn't have enough mass right now. Looks 3 y/o to me

 

[VLD Pilot]

He needs a year. He doesn't have enough mass right now. Looks 3 y/o to me

He needs a bullet ( or arrow).

 

[1894C]

He needs a bullet ( or arrow).

That's a great way to continually harvest 100-115" 3 year old bucks. To get to in the 140s and 150s they have to survive past the 110s.

 

[VLD Pilot]

That's a great way to continually harvest 100-115" 3 year old bucks. To get to in the 140s and 150s they have to survive past the 110s.View attachment 207158View attachment 207159

Yep I know. I'm just not real patient

 

[VLD Pilot]

Been hunting Ohio for the past several years. Lots of close encounters with 130-150s but no shot opportunities. Normally I'm fairly patient but really have an itchy release finger about now. If I saw that buck this year down there, that release finger is getting some relief.

 

[Peddler 76]

Nice buck close to being shooter, still has some growing to do but he may have enough by end of August!View attachment 205104View attachment 205105

 

[Muddyboots]

This morning I had another decent buck in yard but didn't get camera on him fast enough but then momma came through and gave a show which was nice way to start the day.

 

[Muddyboots]

VLD: the farm to the north of me will not let him walk since they are "deer hunters" that just get out few times a year and are thrilled to even shoot a buck let alone one like this. But he has gotten tot this size so he is probably educated on their stand placement! I think I need to plant some more pines to cover up that side a little more to provide denser cover. Then stay out of there as much as possible.

 

[VLD Pilot]

VLD: the farm to the north of me will not let him walk since they are "deer hunters" that just get out few times a year and are thrilled to even shoot a buck let alone one like this. But he has gotten tot this size so he is probably educated on their stand placement! I think I need to plant some more pines to cover up that side a little more to provide denser cover. Then stay out of there as much as possible.

I have the same issue here on my 80. Land owners to my north are from Detroit. They don't let 4 pointers walk. We have so many does that are much bigger and way over populated but they shoot any buck that jumps there fence. I'm not a big QDM guy but I would like to see some 3 year olds more often. My bar is set at 100" here in Gladwin county. You can't kill what doesn't exist in an area. If I lived in southern lower Michigan, it would be 130". In Ohio (most years) it's 140. I shoot does here in December with bow/muzzleloader so my freezer gets filled. I have no issue with hunters killing any buck they want but would like to see more older bucks around. I think if Michigan had a one buck ONLY restriction, it'd be an easier goal to achieve.

 

[Muddyboots]

Totally agree on the one buck rule. The same guys that want QDM to grow bigger bucks refuse the one buck rule so they can kill 2 big bucks instead of one instead of does which need killing more to keep herd healthy. Not too mention other hunters will have more opportunity at shooters as well. Indiana went to one buck quite a few years ago and you can actually kill decent buck on public land IF you hunt hard enough. I killed a 145 or so just couple years back on public land in Indiana along with several in 120's. Mostly killed in middle of day when there is NOBODY in woods for most part. They know that too! Been lucky to be on private where the buck size is definitely much better but then you have to make decision on whether he is "good enough". HAHA that's a tough one huh? Plus getting to use rifles is nice but we like our bows better and this was off same farm. My son has killed 2 in last 3 years with bow that have been over 145 and over 225 dressed which thankfully dropped in fields!!

 

[VLD Pilot]

Totally agree on the one buck rule. The same guys that want QDM to grow bigger bucks refuse the one buck rule so they can kill 2 big bucks instead of one instead of does which need killing more to keep herd healthy. Not too mention other hunters will have more opportunity at shooters as well. Indiana went to one buck quite a few years ago and you can actually kill decent buck on public land IF you hunt hard enough. I killed a 145 or so just couple years back on public land in Indiana along with several in 120's. Mostly killed in middle of day when there is NOBODY in woods for most part. They know that too! Been lucky to be on private where the buck size is definitely much better but then you have to make decision on whether he is "good enough". HAHA that's a tough one huh? Plus getting to use rifles is nice but we like our bows better and this was off same farm. My son has killed 2 in last 3 years with bow that have been over 145 and over 225 dressed which thankfully dropped in fields!!View attachment 207399

Nice. Looks like a 140+/-. Dark horned. Yep until revenue means less than deer quality in Michigan, we'll never have a 1 buck per year season. That's unfortunate. I hunt the UP for firearm and let most bucks walk. It's not like it used to be up there where every other year I could half expect to kill a nice 3 year old over 110". Today I don't even see those on my cameras any more. Rarely if I do. Ohio is my go to big buck state today. Have offers to hunt Indiana private farms so maybe I'll go one day soon.

 

[Muddyboots]

Jump at the Indiana chance if you can. Heck, even Realtree is hunting Indiana and pretty close to where my son has a lease. Its hit or miss on it since no real woods and little hedgerow BUT if one walks through its a shooter!