Most recently added comments / posts to this topichttp://www.fishingbuddy.com/making_mature_bucksposted by: measure-it. The implementation of a trophy buck plan has long been problimatic.  If hunters want more large "trophy" bucks, then they'll need to realize that our male deer need a chance to grow up.  It's a common sense solution that lies in the hands of the hunters and the g & f.  The best way to get on track of big bucks is to realize that the 2x2's, 3x3's and smaller racked deer need to be let go to grow.  The old belief that you have to kill a buck to be a macho hunter is hog-wash and needs to be rethought.  If you're going to shoot a deer just to fill a tag, then get a doe tag.  It's better management policy to thin out the does and let the younger bucks grow into something larger and reaching a true trophy statis.  Shooting a wise old doe is most-of-the-time just as difficult as fooling  a buck.  Lay off the buck tags until you know you'll set a goal of a bigger buck OR AN UNFILLED TAG for the year.  Enjoy the hunt, be proud of the shot on a wise mature doe, and reap the bounty of venison for the table.  In the meantime, the bucks will get bigger, and the trophy bucks will be around for the goal-determined hunters.  Of course, not a solution for all, but everyone who does this will help.  The need for food, cover habitat, minerals, moisture, and genetics all play a part in the equation to obtain more large bucks--what a big battle we'll have when the CRP acres roll out of program, and cover habitat gets greatly reduced.  Push for more farm-programs that leave marginal-quality acres idle to provide a home for ALL wildlife.  There's no easy solution, but we can help grow bigger bucks and more wildlife by doing our part!  Just look what the soil-bank program of years ago, and CRP has done for the quantity and quality od our wildlife.  Most of all, just enjoy and appreciate what a great state we have-the great outdoors and nature of NORTH  DAKOTA.  Don't let the secret out-we've got it pretty darn good! http://www.fishingbuddy.com/making_mature_bucks#3167892009-12-03 12:37:12http://www.fishingbuddy.com/making_mature_bucks#316789posted by: IntroC. G&F, we are happy with the way thing are run now. Thanks for keeping it that way.http://www.fishingbuddy.com/making_mature_bucks#3166152009-12-03 08:12:04http://www.fishingbuddy.com/making_mature_bucks#316615