Record Low Yearling-Buck Harvest: QDMA’s 2020 Whitetail Report

We are killing roughly the same number of bucks in the U.S. as 20 years ago, but we’ve completely shifted the ages of those bucks. We now kill more bucks age 3½-plus than 1½-year-olds.

More from QDMA’s new Whitetail Report here: www.qdma.com/record-low-yearling-buck-harvest-qdmas-2020-whitetail-report/

QDMA’s 2020 Whitetail Report is available for download free on the QDMA website at this link. www.qdma.com/2020-whitetail-report

"let them go, so THEY will grow" ... I refuse to kill baby bucks/buttons ... I'd rather take a 1.5+ yr old Doe and go without a buck for the season if I cant get a good buck.. heck, since all I do is BOWhunt nowadays, I'm satisfied with trying for the two archery kills ... .. now, that being said, I am perfectly satisfied taking a 3.5+ yr old on the state land I hunt .. deer I would have normally passed when I had good private, I will now consider ... my goal is always kill a Doe for meat first (dosnt always happen) then hold out for a good buck, heck the last few years, the Doe came in Dec. after taking the buck ... glad hunters are passing the youngsters more and more

I think it’s a win.
I also won’t shoot the young little ones.
I always say does are for meat and bucks are for mounting.
If I won’t mount it I won’t shoot it.

Jeff and Titanium, I agree. I probably haven't been hunting as long as you guys, but I have that doe for meat and buck for mounting mentality. Thankfully for the last four seasons, I have been able to take a decent mature buck. I didn't even kill a doe this year - there is not enough in my area. Definitely glad to see more people who can get out easily and hunt passing the younger ones.

Yup.
My son who now is 17 (next week) has so far had an awesome short hunting career.
Started when he was 9, every year except this year he has killed a decent buck.
Bucks I would’ve given my left eye for when I was his age.
Anyways, point is without the one buck rule and does are for eating bucks are for wall hanging mentality he would probably be like I was when I was growing up and happy just to kill something with horns on its head.
That alone has kept him excited about hunting and I’m sure other youths as well.
Now we are getting antsy for turkey season...yee haw.
Can’t wait.

it is said that most go thru phases of hunting... yea, I want meat, but I also want a good buck and for me, that is where the challenge lays ... the OBR was one of if not the best move the DNR has ever done for Indiana deer hunting, the second has been backing off on the bonus tags (we'll see what this season has in store) ... .... the worst move IMO, was allowing crossbows in early archery...imo ... ;0)