Deer University Audio From 2018

Culling to improve genetics is likely one of the most hotly debated topics among deer hunters.  How often have you heard “that spike buck is genetically inferior.” Or, “I culled that buck to get him out of the gene pool”? Heck, you may have even said this yourself! In this episode we listen to deer biologist Donnie Draeger of the Comanche Ranch in South Texas as he describes the results from a landmark, 13-year study, designed to answer this question once and for all – to determine if culling can be used to “improve” genetics and increase the average antler size of bucks.  

After 7 years of removing bucks with below average antler size (i.e., culling) the average antler size per age class did not improve. In fact, in the area where culling was most intense, where culling began with the yearling age class, the buck population began to crash. Most people would think this level of culling, which allowed only the large-antlered bucks to live and breed, would result in production of super bucks! Instead, the effects of the environment (late birth, rainfall, etc.) suppress the expression of genetics, making culling decisions inaccurate and ultimately ineffective. Donnie will describe a negative feedback loop in buck antler size as an example of the law of unintended consequences relative to culling. 

Here’s the bottom line – for a number of reasons discussed in the interview a hunter can’t determine the genetic quality of bucks in a free-ranging management scenario. Additionally, hunters can’t determine the genetic quality of does. Combine that with the effects of a variable environment that will limit genetic expression, and buck dispersal to and from your property, and you have a recipe for culling process that only lowers the buck population. Lowering the deer and buck population may be needed on your property because food is limited, so harvesting lower-quality bucks may be an appropriate strategy relative to this objective. But harvesting smaller-antlered bucks with hopes of increasing antler size in subsequent generations is absolute folly. Thanks to Donnie and his colleagues for this incredible study and answering this culling question once and for all.

Steve and Bronson discuss implications of the 2nd positive CWD sample in Mississippi and have a conversation about common questions surrounding eating venison.

Today we visit with MSU Deer Lab graduate students Ashley Jones and Colby Henderson about their research project where they are tracking GPS-collared bucks and measuring their habitat preferences. We discuss buck movement patterns during the rut and what particular cover types bucks are selecting. We talk about focal areas and how often bucks are moving to and from different focal areas. Cover is critical for bucks, but cover that simultaneously provides food is the best! We will also hear from the Ole Buck, Steve Demarais.

Jarred Brooke and Adam Janke are Professors and Extension Wildlife Specialists at Purdue and Iowa State Universities, respectively. Today we will discuss the most common habitat management strategies used for deer in the agriculture-dominated landscapes of the Midwest.

John Gruchy is a Private Lands Biologist and habitat management specialist for the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks. He is an expert on government programs designed to assist landowners with the costs associated with wildlife habitat management practices. If you own land, or are hoping to purchase land in the near future, this episode is for you.

Wildlife Biologist Joe Wiley has been managing deer and wildlife habitat in Maine and the Northeastern US for 50 years. In this episode we get a look at how deer management in the Northeast differs from much of the Eastern US. Joe will explain how wildlife managers manipulate the habitat to help deer survive those long, harsh winters up North.

Marcus and Bronson discuss a new way to use prescribed fire on a very small scale that anyone can do. You can use this burning technique to your advantage for hunting this fall. Along with fall food plots, you should consider bow-range burnin' too!

Is is possible does actually play some role in selecting the bucks they breed with? Most people think that when does are in heat they simply breed with the buck that's available. But what if a doe actually had the opportunity to choose which buck to breed with? Would she choose older bucks? Larger-bodied bucks? Or, larger antlered bucks? Exciting new research from the MSU Deer Lab explains what does are looking for in a buck, and why.