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I have never see. A porky arou d here since we thinned them out a few years ago we did a very good job. I think I will set up a camera just for fun. I know deer do NOT rub trees in the spring but I have seen a deer with antlers in the winter. Thank you for all the input.
Looks like a rabbit chew to me.Quote:
Originally Posted by Asthepotthickens
That was eaten by something, most likely a porky, but rabbits have a history of such, especially in March. As the sap starts to run, they like to feed on the bark and cambium layer. Back in the early eighties we planted 700 apple trees. We checked on them every 2 weeks or so. The 1st weekend in March all was good, 2 weeks later ALL 700 had been chewed, many like your picture, most only a portion of that. The chew started about 2-3" above the snow line and went up about 15-18". We lost all but about 30 that year, within 3 years we were down to 3 and I pulled them to planted blueberries.
The following fall into winter, I hunted the rabbits. Over the course of about 10 weeks I took out more than 40 rabbits. Revenge indeed!
Sorry but with 20 years experience as a wildlife biologist i can tell you white tailed deer will retain their antlers and continue to maintain rub and scrape lines as long as there are does in heat. Its not uncommon to see fresh scrapes in March in areas with a sex ratio that is way out of balance. I worked in southern Michigan for many years we did surveys in areas there that had post harvest buck to doe ratios of 10-15 to 1 and it was not uncommon to see bucks with antlers in March and even in April.Quote:
Originally Posted by DonMcJr
That's why I said "stranger things have happened" cause I've seen one Breeding in February and Antlers in March...
And for that reason Michigan will never see the mass numbers of mature bucks like we see here west of you. You guys need to kill does and lots of them.Quote:
Originally Posted by DonMcJr
I agree to an extent FDA...Some Areas have way too many deer but not all as in my area. If I woulda shot Does when I moved in 4 years ago I'd not be seeing deer at all. Now, 4 years later I am seeing enough Deer and in particular more Does, I should say "Bald Heads". A lot I think are button bucks so once Summer gets here I need to really evaluate the Buck to Doe Ratio and maybe take a Doe or 2. Right now I'm seeing mostly the same 2 Does that have nothing but Button Bucks 3 years in a row and one had twin Button Bucks. Them two are living for sure if I have the choice.
But anyhow this isn't the QDM Forum and yes you are right Managing the Deer Herd Does mean harvesting Does IF needed in your area.
Are they brown with a black nose ? Do they have white patches on their neck, belly and under their tail ??? If so than those same two does are on my place as well. :lol:Quote:
Originally Posted by DonMcJr
If you want to SEE more and bigger bucks, shoot more does. Too many want a trophy, and keep the does for future herd health. In reality the healthiest herd is 1-1 or 1-2 ratio. When you have large numbers of does and few bucks the breeding is stretched way out. This results in fawns being born 2 and 3 months late. As such they never get big enough to survive their first winter. Also, there is little competition among bucks so less that dominate bucks do much of the breeding, making a weaker herd genetically.
My last 5 deer were all does, 2 last year and 3 this past year. Until I start seeing more bucks, I'll not shoot a buck unless fully mature (not # points, but body size).
Rabbits don't climb trees, the rub is 5 feet high.Quote:
Originally Posted by Greenwich Maple Man