2012

[BPKHunter]

Things I noticed on my opener this year:

More deer.

Lots of fawns.

Good recruitment of younger bucks carrying over.

Better mass on the bucks I saw. Including two good shooters.

Hunting OTC units means two 2mi+ stalks on good bucks both blown my other hunters. OK though as the bucks are still alive and hopefully still around.

PS Elk seem to be doing well and saw a lot of young one's including 6 spikes in one weekend. Big guys still bugling.

 

[Rizzy]

I noticed the same thing in my area, more fawns, calves, and spikes. Looks good for future hunts.

 

[RockyTopRanch]

Hi BPK;
Not sure if you are hunting our 'home unit', but I've noticed similar conditions at our place. Lots of fat healthy fawns & does. Lots of twins. Only one barren doe, and she's a cripple. More 4 point bucks this year, but they are staying up higher off of the public land, haven't even seen them for 6 weeks. Forky bucks are more scarce this year. Not sure if it's weather-related, but the big bucks horns looked long and skinny this year, although they have more flesh than last year? Over all the deer are in much better condition; fat & sassy, not as mangy looking as last year.

Birds also did really well this year, lots of chukar and quail chicks this summer. Fewer coyotes, but the ones I've seen have been big and bold. Haven't noticed any big predators yet, but it's still early for the wolves & cats to come down our way. I did hear we had a black bear roaming around this summer making the honey guys a little nuts.

Not hunting this year (except dogs). Didn't spend enough time shooting or hiking to get ready, lol.

Rocky Top