Originally Posted by hunterbuck
Originally Posted by Mbrock

MSU study revealed the average annual mortality on bucks in the SE is 10%, so by the time a cohort of bucks have survived until age 5, only 59 of the original 100 at birth remain. That is taking out hunting related mortality and vehicle collisions. So almost 50% of bucks will die by their 5th birthday if you take cars and hunters out of the equation.

Next.


Matt, I've been listening to some of Dr. Strickland at MSU's podcasts lately. Unbelievably interesting stuff based on scientific studies. The two of them that struck me the most were:

1. We've known for a while that does control more of a buck's genetics than the buck that sired her. But, what he's proven is the "genetic programming" bucks can get with better nutrition while in the womb. The jumps he's shown are remarkable, as compared to the control group. Most people quit feeding at all when deer season goes out...but that's when they need it the most.

2. The difference taking out the bottom half of each age class of bucks makes.

That’s the epigenetic triggers resulting from increased nutrition and conditions. Most ppl in AL have NO idea what native deer are capable of because the thresholds for epigenetic controls are not met, meaning deer are not expressing their potential and they never will, simply because of conditional stress that isn’t even fully expressed ( can’t look at deer in this state and say they aren’t healthy). In reality, they are not receiving what they need to trigger their potential. When you see it in practice it’s simply mind blowing. Bucks are capable of so much more than they are expressing.