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We had a good 2008 deer season. We harvested 19 bucks and 24 does. Buck harvest was down by 2 deer and the doe harvest was up by 6 (Good Job!). We did not have any state illegal bucks taken this year which is great news. However, there were 5 buttons. The largest point count a 9 point taken by Conner Poteet (youth) during the youth hunt. He weighed in at 170 lbs and estimated at 3.5 years. The largest overall measurement was taken by Dudley Bratton with a muzzleloader. His buck was a 7 point weighing in at 183 pounds and estimated at 3.5 years old. The largest doe was taken by Ann Kellogg estimated at about 4.5 years old. Congratulations to all of you.

We harvested one 5 point, four 6 points, 2 seven points, 4 eight points, and one nine point. The average weight of the buck is up by about 5 pounds over 2007 but in 2007 we had drop in weight over 2006 by and average of 8 pounds. Doe weights were up only one pound over 2007 and 2007 was down from 2006 by 5 pounds. Lactation is about the same over the past 4 years.  Overall mass of the antlers was only up slightly. Most of this increase can be contributed to very wet year.

With the data we have collected over the past 4 years our deer are proven to be healthy and have plenty of food to survive. Many of our does are having twins and some triples. This is also a sign food is plentiful. However to build mass in the racks the right ingredients are missing! Some members put out some mineral bocks and some members planted food plots. Most mineral blocks (licks) and food plots are planted in late August and early September. This works good to pull deer into an area and provides food for the winter. But it does not help build mass for the racks. To help the build mass to the racks these efforts need to start late April and early May.

Minerals- According game biologists mineral supplements need to be rich in Potassium and Calcium. Blocks or licks are helpful and should be placed on an old stump or log. The rain will cause the block to dissolve and soak into the wood. The deer will eat the wood absorbing the minerals. The most recommended is granulated supplements. These supplements need to spread over about a 10’ area. Deer are grazers and will consume more minerals using this method. Down falls is the rain will wash away the minerals so the area will need to be regenerated.

Food Plots- Again for best results to help antler development food plots need to plant late April or early May. The most recommended seeds to plant are clover, fescue, and turnips. Planting any type of beans or peas are good but most of the time they will eat the plants before they have time to develop.  Areas need to have plenty of sun shine. Piney areas are very acidic and will require as much as 2 tons of lime per acre. Hardwoods and gas line areas need about one ton per acre. Before applying the lime, disc the area and apply roundup. Apply lime and disc in. Wait about one week or after the first rain apply a 13-13-13 fertilizer and broadcast seed. Cover seed with about 1/4” of dirt. You may need to regenerate your food plot late August or early September. If so, only about as much additional lime (depending on the amount of rain during the summer) and fertilizer will need to be applied.

With all this said, starting in mid to late April I am looking for members that have access to a tractor with a front in loader and a disc. I have already purchased 100 lbs of seed and want to clean up some of the log drag areas for food plots. Also we need to plant about 3 areas around both the small and big gas lines. As far as minerals I am proposing each member either provide 25 to 50 lbs of a mineral supplement or $25 to mineral fund.  

During the past season I’ve seen most of the bucks that were check in. Even though everyone was happy to get a buck I could see in their faces and hear in their voices they wanted nicer racks. The only way this will happen is for us to step up our food plot and mineral program. It may take two to four years before maximum results can be reached. We have the genetics in our deer we just need to give it a push with food plots and minerals. These methods are the best way to achieve these results. 

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