Spike management...

[bg]

The land is in Matagorda County, near Bay City, and is surrounded by crop land, mostly cotton and grass (sod). The place we hunt is probably 600 acres but about 450 - 500 acres of that is crop land. There was a 150 acre soy field right next to the woods this year (should be milo next year) and the rest was cotton. The woods are thick, with a LOT of yaupon and a creek along the back. The nighbors on one side are farmland, the back side is cattle and the other side is rice, I think (Shaky can better answer that). I've not heard any of the neighbors shoot this year in the dozen or so times I've been down there, with the excpetion of goose hunting, so I don't think they've taken much of anything.

[Shaky]

The property is in Matagorda county, which isnt known for trophy class deer. The main rut generally happens in October.
The biggest buck Ive seen this year is probably in the 120 class. But like BG said earlier, its super thick and when you see a good buck its generally less than 2-3 seconds and then their gone.

[TXPalerider]

From a strictly management perspective, I would not shoot that deer. I'd let her shoot a doe or another buck that has reached his potential. However, from a personal perspective, if it is important to your daughter to shoot a buck rather than a doe, whack away. In this case, the kid outweighs any management considerations.

Just have fun. And post a pic when you do shoot one.

[Sight Cast]

Shoot a doe, you'd get a whole bunch more meat.

[Northtexan]

He is a baby, see what he looks like next year, or better yet the year after. If he needs to go you will know for sure at that time.

[Pogie Power]

It's great that you are getting your kid into hunting. Let her make the harvest decision on this little buck next time it walks out. After all, they grow up fast and you never know...she may decide all of this hunting stuff is yucky, next year. And if she does take to hunting, little boys don't mess around with little girls who know how to use a skinnin' knife.

[bg]

Originally Posted by Pogie Power

little boys don't mess around with little girls who know how to use a skinnin' knife.

That's what I'm couting on! Saves me from having to show her "suitors" the "train collection in the basement" if you know what I mean!

[CHARLIE]

I dont redcall how old your daughter is. Make sure you teach her as much as you can about game management. Then guide her in her decision. I feel strongly that you dont let your kids make a decision that in your eyes is wrong. Thats the hard part about being a father. Good luck.

Charlie

[bg]

She's only 9. She hunted pigs with me last weekend but we didn't see a thing. She stuck it out for 3 hours in the cold on a ladder stand and a couple of hours in a box blind the next morning. What I want this weekend is for her efforts to be rewarded so she doesn't lose interest. In truth, whatever walks out will probably be taken unless it's a yearling doe that's smaller than my dog. Right now, like TxPaleRider said, the most important thing is that she has fun and is as succesful as possible.

[CHARLIE]

bg

Sounds like she is a real trooper and already a hunter. Keep up the good work.

Charlie