Cull: The Problem with "Culling" Whitetails

I've watched the social media posts throughout this deer season:  Some young hunter, who is usually just looking for an opinion from more experienced hunters about the deer he is hunting.  He asks for help aging a deer or speculates that it might be a “cull.” The other scenario that I've seen is that a hunter has proudly killed a “cull” in the name of deer management and posted it for everyone on the interwebs to see.

Let’s state the obvious – There are genetically inferior deer.  Now let's state what may not be so obvious -  At the risk of being called a “heretic” by some, you and I cannot control the genetics of whitetail deer in the wild.  A high fence operation can, but I can't control whitetail  genetics on my 200 acres and you can't control the genetics on your 2000 acre hunting club unless of course you've got a high fence around it.

Don't take my word for it.  Read this article:  https://www.qdma.com/cant-manage-deer-genetics/

The article outlines the realities that we’d do well to embrace if we genuinely care about the resource we love to pursue.

You will see deer in the wild that have racks lacking desirable features.  Some wouldn't earn a place on the back side of your skinning shack much less on your wall in your trophy room but what if that does have a lot to do with you and I?  Maybe you are thinking, “Man, didn't you just say that we can't manage genetics?”  Yes, I did.  The reality is that most of the deer we see that seem to be lacking are lacking….they aren't lacking in genetics but rather in nutrition.  Simply put, we don't provide our deer with what they need to grow the racks we want them to grow.

Next time you see what you think is a “cull”, before you kill the deer, ask yourself if you've done everything you can to make sure that buck can grow into everything he could be.  If you haven't, then your work shouldn't be dragging a deer out but rather providing better nutrition for the deer that utilize your property.  Too many of us simply throw rye grass out or put a feeder up and hope to attract a 140” deer.  It's time for us to step back and do the work (soil samples, lime, cultivating native browse, researching forage options, etc) to ensure that we and future generations can see the type of deer we dream of.  Yes, some deer in some areas grow smaller than others but you and I can do more to provide the habitat and nutrition deer need.

When we do this, we increase the likelihood of holding deer on our properties and being able to watch deer grow.  I’ve seen first hand what happens when you spend your energy this way.  We’ve grown a few bucks on our place in South Mississippi that most hunters would be proud to hang on a wall.  They are hard to hunt and super smart but we know they are there and we know we’ve provided what they need to grow.

The other reality is that many “culls” that I've seen on social media are simply young deer.  Take some time to study and learn how to age deer on the hoof.  If you can recognize young deer and see them for what they are (young bucks with years of growth ahead of them) then you can appreciate seeing these animals in the wild and let them walk knowing that you may get a chance to harvest them down the road.

Here are two helpful articles:

1. https://www.qdma.com/aging-bucks-on-the-hoof/
2. https://www.qdma.com/7-sins-aging-bucks-hoof/

In our state, there is no good way to determine what deer are actually being harvested. There is no tagging system and a I am doubtful that the voluntary reporting of harvests is quantitative enough to provide really solid data.  My guess is that many hunters have an “if it's brown it's down” mentality, simply don't care about growing mature deer or stewarding the resource.  If we could agree that these two things (providing better nutrition / habitat and committing to harvest mature deer while letting young deer walk) are steps we can/should take and can control then we would see better deer and experience better deer hunting in our state.

Faith on Fridays - Creator & Creation

G1 Sportsmen is our initiative geared toward helping sportsmen (and women) connect with our Creator, the one who has blessed us with the privilege of being able to enjoy His creation.

At G1, our name is directly connected to this idea.  G1 isn't just the name of a tine on a deer, its a reminder of Genesis 1.  Genesis 1:26-31 says, 

"Then God said, “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.” So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground.” Then God said, “I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be yours for food. And to all the beasts of the earth and all the birds in the sky and all the creatures that move along the ground—everything that has the breath of life in it—I give every green plant for food.” And it was so. God saw all that he had made, and it was very good. And there was evening, and there was morning—the sixth day."

A few things to think about: 

• The outdoors and wildlife we pursue were created by God and He called His creation "good."  
• We are created in the image of God - we reflect His likeness - and are given a special responsibility to rule over creation.  
• God has entrusted us with this responsibility as those who bear his image so that we would steward it as He would.  His creation and our ability to enjoy this creation is a gift and should be treated as such. 

Obviously this is significant for how we deal with wildlife and the outdoors.  God though His creation provides us with much enjoyment, adventure and challenge.  Creation was initially designed to bring glory to God.  We see His goodness through His "good" creation and the provision it provides.  The way we engage creation should make it better and even more enjoyable.  

Many of you will be in a tree stand, shooting house or ground blind this weekend as will I. While you are there, stop and think for a minute about the intricacies of creation that allow you to sit and enjoy those moments. God created it keenly aware of how the pinnacle of His creation (mankind) would enjoy it. Take a moment to thank Him that He created you with the ability to enjoy His creation and thank Him for the creation that you get to enjoy.  

As you think about the creation you get to enjoy think about how you can help others enjoy it.  Think about how you can make it better for future generations.  I believe there is something special about spending time in God's creation.  Romans 1:20 says, 

"For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made..."  Spending time in nature doesn't replace being connected to a church or spending time personally and corporately worshipping God, but I believe spending time in nature can help us and others connect with our Creator in a special and unique way because it is there that we are without distractions and can see His goodness in His creation.  

Have great day in the woods, 

Eric Bean

The First Step to Better Deer Hunting

One evening last week, I spent some time commenting in the Mississippi Whitetails Facebook Group.  Something struck me as a little odd as I read one question.  The question was, "Is anyone on a QDMA program?"  Since the QDMA (Quality Deer Management Association doesn't establish management programs, I was intrigued.  The followup to the question was along the lines of "Does the state help with it if they (QDMA) do?"  

After drilling down a bit I discovered what the author of the original post meant.  He was curious about who set harvest goals for his property.  Did the state set harvest goals?  Did QDMA set harvest goals?  

The answer is simple "Neither (organization) set harvest goals for a land owner's property."  I think I understand the motive behind the question. We all want the best hunting possible but Quality Deer Management isn't a simple task.  Conducting a game cam survey, preseason scouting and developing a property plan are time consuming and require a lot of work.  

While having someone else set these goals may seem like it would help, I propose that the opposite would be true.  The state of Mississippi does have a Deer Management Assistance Program or DMAP.  The DMAP program still relies on the land owner or club members to set harvest goals and state biologist provide "limited" habitat consultation as part of the program.  

While I am thankful and appreciative for the MDWFP's efforts the reality is that there aren't enough resources for the state or any organization to set harvest goals for a property.  The responsibility for property goals falls to the land owners or property managers (including hunting club members).  

Maybe you are thinking that you were supposed to be reading an article that was going to give you the magic bullet to better deer hunting.  There isn't a magic bullet!  But the first step to better deer hunting starts with better information.  So how to you get better "information"?  

• Spend time on your property - Get in the woods.  Get to know your land.  Use proper scent control and minimize your impact but get to know where you hunt.  You'll discover trails, bedding areas, native forage and even new hunting spots. You'll see the place you hunt in a different light.   

• Know the herd - Do a game cam survey and do the work of discovering how many deer utilize your property.  If you have a small parcel the herd may not utilize your property solely but regardless of the size of your property, you can get a good idea (up to 90%) of the deer that live on or around your land. 

With these two steps, you can begin to successfully set harvest goals and develop a better buck to doe ratio. This information can also help you develop better hunting strategies, recognize target deer and develop a property improvement plan.  

Over the years, I've come to a point where I enjoy managing our property as much as I do hunting the deer and turkeys that utilize our property.  

The reality is that no one can set your goals besides you.  To set these goals you'll have to get out in the woods.  As you put in the work, your hunting will become more enjoyable and you'll gain a better understanding of the value of habitat management. 

Thanks for reading! If you need help with improving your property, give G1 Habitats a shout.    Remember, we are just stewards of the resources that God has blessed us with.  Genesis 1:26-28.