Hunting Leases/Kids Hunting/Drury Syndrome

[TheGreek]

Many years ago, my uncle jimbo told me that deer make people stupid. I reckon he was right.

 

[Big Sky Guy]

Got a call from a hunter today wanting to confirm the age of the buck he shot this year. The hunter has been on a large lease for 15 years and said he shot a 180” class whitetail. He said they aren’t supposed to shoot deer younger than 7, and the biologist told him it’s 4 based on tooth wear. He said if it’s younger than 6 there’s a good chance he is going to get kicked off the lease.

7 seems pretty steep threshold for whitetail but maybe that’s more common than I realize? Most folks I’ve talked to in those situations are aiming for 4 or 5+ year olds unless deemed “management buck.”

Talk about knocking the wind out of your sails. Geesh.

Anyway, made me think of this thread, don’t know if the guy has children or not but that’s a heck of an example to learn at a young age to see your dad get what would likely be a buck of a lifetime for 90?% of hunters only to lose hunting access because it wasn’t old enough.

 

[rogerthat]

Got a call from a hunter today wanting to confirm the age of the buck he shot this year. The hunter has been on a large lease for 15 years and said he shot a 180” class whitetail. He said they aren’t supposed to shoot deer younger than 7, and the biologist told him it’s 4 based on tooth wear. He said if it’s younger than 6 there’s a good chance he is going to get kicked off the lease.

7 seems pretty steep threshold for whitetail but maybe that’s more common than I realize? Most folks I’ve talked to in those situations are aiming for 4 or 5+ year olds unless deemed “management buck.”

Talk about knocking the wind out of your sails. Geesh.

Anyway, made me think of this thread, don’t know if the guy has children or not but that’s a heck of an example to learn at a young age to see your dad get what would likely be a buck of a lifetime for 90?% of hunters only to lose hunting access because it wasn’t old enough.

Yeah that’s brutal. Imo you can’t tell the difference between a 5 year old and a 7 year old on the hoof with anything but detailed history with the buck such as trail cam photos.

 

[D_Walt]

Got a call from a hunter today wanting to confirm the age of the buck he shot this year. The hunter has been on a large lease for 15 years and said he shot a 180” class whitetail. He said they aren’t supposed to shoot deer younger than 7, and the biologist told him it’s 4 based on tooth wear. He said if it’s younger than 6 there’s a good chance he is going to get kicked off the lease.

7 seems pretty steep threshold for whitetail but maybe that’s more common than I realize? Most folks I’ve talked to in those situations are aiming for 4 or 5+ year olds unless deemed “management buck.”

Talk about knocking the wind out of your sails. Geesh.

Anyway, made me think of this thread, don’t know if the guy has children or not but that’s a heck of an example to learn at a young age to see your dad get what would likely be a buck of a lifetime for 90?% of hunters only to lose hunting access because it wasn’t old enough.

That will get you kicked off of most highly managed “trophy” leases where I’m from, and they’ll be a line of people to take his spot. Not uncommon.

 

[3855WIN]

That will get you kicked off of most highly managed “trophy” leases where I’m from, and they’ll be a line of people to take his spot. Not uncommon.

Where are you from? I’ve never heard of club rules so stringent.

Some of the Mississippi River equity clubs will require a ten point to be a 150”+ or be 5 years old or older. But no one’s getting kicked out for not making it. Usually cost an additional buck on membership as penalty.

 

[Nuts]

The entire concept of these requirements leaves kids out IMO. And I participated for years. Don't get me wrong. I was right there. But I now see what it has done and I am hoping that this can be changed. I grew up where I couldn't sleep the night before gun opener. We traveled 3 hrs north to family and stayed with them. It was very exciting. Bucks were little. Mostly fork horns and 6pts. Occasionally an 8pt. Doe season would be 2 weeks later. Kids out numbered adults. I didn't have a dad but we all got paired up with an adult. And off we went. As the years went by I got more picky. Then came the management. And the chase for big bucks. Big was 120, then 130 then 140+. The bar kept changing but we were able to find success. Kids slowly were left at home more and more. Additionally hunting competed with year round sports and more stringent school absence requirements. Leases often are grown men only with few kids. It was to expensive. And the number on the lease limited. Yes kids still got some random Saturdays and other days. But it was less and less. And it became blinds and comfort centered around particular deer. And the men. Well we are all busy disagreeing about management plans. Or we are paying someone else to figure it out for us. We just show up and shoot. For a good part of Americans this is not an option. I grew up fortunate but not well off. But yet it was figured out and made to happen. My kids. They are grown. They enjoy the cabin. The hunt and the atmosphere. Now I am trying to make sure that other kids get the same opportunity. I found a new "high". After hunting 4-5 states a year for decades often filling every tag I found that a big buck didn't actually get the juices flowing anymore. Just being out and everything that went into it was more rewarding then the harvest. Sitting with my kids even now that they are grown rewarding. But that new high. That's involving more mentored adults and more kids. Seeing a bunch harvest there first deer and 2nd deer as I sat beside them or them and a parent. This year the night before opening day. I didn't sleep a wink like I was a 12yr old going for the 1st time. Nervous that every detail was accounted for and what the (6) kids excited for the next day would encounter. It didn't disappoint. Way more rewarding then hoping your 180" buck is old enough!


First Buck for this young man

Young man and his dad dragging out. That's what its all about.