Hunting Washington Forum

Big Game Hunting => Deer Hunting => Topic started by: DoubleJ on May 28, 2011, 08:46:21 AM

Title: Blacktail quandry. I need opinions
Post by: DoubleJ on May 28, 2011, 08:46:21 AM: I live in a housing community in Mason County. There is no hunting allowed in the housing community but, about .25/mile away is a large swath of Green Diamond logging land where hunting is allowed. This GMU is an any buck GMU. If you know Mason County, you know that, not only is poaching prevalent, but a lot of hunters here have no sense of letting one go because it's just not mature.

There are 2, 2 year old blacktail bucks that frequent our back yard with their mother (She hasen't kicked them loose yet and probably wont until the summer is over). We saw them up close last night and saw that they had their spikes showing.

My question for you is, should we be feeding these spikes and giving them mineral blocks to increase their health and antlers or let them do it naturally? We have fed them a bit and they'll eat any apples or grain we put out for them. In all honesty, IMO, the best case scenario is that only one will make it through the season this year. If we let them go naturally, maybe they will get passed on, maybe not. If we nourish them, maybe they make it to year 3, maybe not but the increase in antler size might serve to their detriment. I'm just not sure what to do. What would you do?
Title: Re: Blacktail quandry. I need opinions
Post by: True Sportsman on May 28, 2011, 09:06:16 AM: I'd say feed them and let nature take its course. Hopefully the deer have figured out to stay in the area of no hunting. Ever kill any bucks on the timber co. ground behind your house?
Title: Re: Blacktail quandry. I need opinions
Post by: STIKNSTRINGBOW on May 28, 2011, 09:08:20 AM: I have a similar problem.
except you can hunt in the yards here :bash:
Had a beautiful couple of 3pts, they disappeared, then a spike, same deal.
now again have a buck coming through, but I got tired of feeding them for my viewing pleasure, only to have the neighbors shoot them.
at least the does are healthy !
I say feed them, take their pictures, but expect them to disappear.
Title: Re: Blacktail quandry. I need opinions
Post by: KNOXY on May 29, 2011, 03:04:26 PM: I say feed em always nice to see deer in the area regarless
Title: Re: Blacktail quandry. I need opinions
Post by: STIKNSTRINGBOW on May 29, 2011, 03:11:32 PM: been feeding this one.
Title: Re: Blacktail quandry. I need opinions
Post by: Kowsrule30 on May 29, 2011, 05:39:37 PM: It's Mason County... They will all disappear.... One of the most heavily poached units there is.... Feed and watch em go.... Do what you can to catch them if possible.... :twocents: It's sad but it is what they make it...
Title: Re: Blacktail quandry. I need opinions
Post by: PolarBear on May 29, 2011, 05:43:43 PM: I feed the local deer to keep them from being poached. Even though we are in a shoot whenever you want zone (farming district) they seem to know that they won't be shot on my land and there is plenty of good grub growing. It is nice having them around until they eat our landscaping, then I just piss on everyhing and they leave it alone.
Title: Re: Blacktail quandry. I need opinions
Post by: carpsniperg2 on May 29, 2011, 05:48:21 PM: Quote from: PolarBear on May 29, 2011, 05:43:43 PM
It is nice having them around until they eat our landscaping, then I just piss on everyhing and they leave it alone.

:chuckle: Man that's funny! I could see someone bending over to sniff a rose at your house :puke: :chuckle:
Title: Re: Blacktail quandry. I need opinions
Post by: BOWHUNTER45 on May 29, 2011, 06:04:50 PM: Quote from: carpsniperg2 on May 29, 2011, 05:48:21 PM
Quote from: PolarBear on May 29, 2011, 05:43:43 PM
It is nice having them around until they eat our landscaping, then I just piss on everyhing and they leave it alone.
YEAH THATS IT ..... :chuckle: :chuckle:

:chuckle: Man that's funny! I could see someone bending over to sniff a rose at your house :puke: :chuckle:
Title: Re: Blacktail quandry. I need opinions
Post by: Grazer on June 05, 2011, 09:23:51 PM: I don't know if feeding them is what I would do, but it is your choice. Young bucks are going to rely on their natural instincts regardless of their antler size. If you feed them and they continue to show good antler growth than they are definitley going to be shot by someone, but if you let them grow naturally, maybe there is a hunter out there that might be willing to let the small bucks go. They older they get, the smarter they get. Producing big antlers at such a young age is a recipe for disaster come hunting season (especially during the rut).
Title: Re: Blacktail quandry. I need opinions
Post by: billythekidrock on June 06, 2011, 07:28:02 PM: It doesn't matter how much you feed them. If mama sticks around they will move on when they are ready.

If you want to keep them around, get rid of mamma and keep the apples & grain coming.