Well the 2010 deer season is coming to a close and I’ve noticed several things this year and it seems others have seen as well?
- Number of large bucks taken seems to be lower this year
- Overall population of deer seems to be lower this year as well?
- Rut activity was not as “Heated” west of the Chesapeake Bay?
- Less massive antlers, skinnier than years past
Possible answers
Last year we saw a ton of snow and I think it had a much greater impact then we initially considered. I talked to a friend in Baltimore County that took a walk in the spring through the property behind his house and he located numerous deer carcasses along a stream bottom. He estimated 40 carcasses in just a small area. I too found several carcasses in Baltimore County, but while hunting the Eastern Shore, in several counties I did not see any, nor did I hear of any, which was similar or consistent with a major “Deer Kill”. I also notice a major decrease in the amount of cam photos from last year to this year. I knew in August something did not seem right, or should I say I noticed our deer count was down and I feared the snow was too much for a large number of deer.
This year I saw a major decrease in does and the larger bucks (Basket eights and up) and I did not see many fawns.
Now I’m not saying I didn’t see any, just a big decline from last year.
I think the breeding bucks from last year were hit hard, because they burnt off their reserve fats chasing the ladies and when the snow hit it was just to much for them to cope with or handle. Breeding “rutting” bucks can loose 20% or more of their mass during the breading season thus diminishing their fat reserves, certainly a mathematical disaster for these bucks. Many of the bucks we saw this year had skinnier antlers, which I think was caused by the buck having to “Beef” up during peak growing season of the antlers. Their bodies come first and once they are nourished properly then the growing of the antlers can take place, because antler growth is secondary.
I also think that the bred does were also affected due to the fact they were eating for 2 to 3 and this was too much for them to handle as well, when the great snows fell. That would explain why I didn’t see as many fawns this year.
The rut, so it seemed, was less “Hot” or intense the father west you got from the Bay Bridge (Chesapeake Bay Region). They did not get the snow we got so their populations, it seems were up/constant/consistent, thus their rut seemed to be on tract or at least hotter than the western portion of the state. There is also much more “Browse” on the shore, such as honey suckle and briar patches, a higher browse then grasses, so what snow they did get, there was still “browse” readily available.
Although this season was kind of a let down for some, I think there is certainly a silver lining. We saw a lot of small bucks this year…well Mother Nature is the ultimate “Quality Deer Manager”.
If we have a reasonable winter this year, we will have a heck of a season next year. The deer that are left are going to be a healthier stronger heard and we should have a banner season next year if theory holds.
Love to hear what you all think!!!!!!!!!
Outdoorguru
Jay Schline
