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Deer Harvests
At
Diamond Mountain Hunting Reserve we have been practicing quality deer
management since 1989. Members are allowed to
harvest a buck with
a minimum score of 90 BC. Deer meeting this
criteria will have a high rack with
an inside spread even with or just
inside the tip of the ears. If a hunter harvests a buck of this size, his
next
buck must have a minimum score 100 BC. These
requirements help to eliminate the harvesting of very young bucks.
Once a
live and dressed weight is taken, the lower jaw bone is pulled and the
antlers measured. The data collected
is recorded and submitted to the
assigned state conservation biologist for an aging determination. The
officers
of the club receive an annual report from the biologist which
breaks down the harvest data into age groups and weights.
The report allows
us to modify our harvest practices as needed. The goal is to harvest the
older bucks and avoid
taking the 1.5 year old bucks.
Turkey Harvests
Only turkeys having a beard
of at least six inches long may be taken. Data
such as beard length, spur length, and live weight is collected for
recording.
Environment
Diamond
Mountain Hunting Reserve property consists of rolling hills with a
mix of creek bottoms, thick cutover, planted pine plantations
and
established food plots. As most deer managers know it takes
several factors to produce trophy deer: age,
genetics, and nutrition. Our
current harvest and planting practices are directed at each of these areas.
Results
These
practices have improved our deer heard. Deer of the 110-130 BC class
are abundant. Most members who are trophy
hunting will have an opportunity
to harvest a mountable buck. While others are able to enjoy the hunt by
taking
family members, children, and those new to the sport. Both groups
have a chance to see and even take a buck they
are proud to put on the wall.
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