PC 283 - Deer Data with Matt Moore

·54 min·5 clips

Research finds deer have a 95% chance of surviving from age 2 to 7 if not hunted.

The episode begins with John Dudley introducing Matt Moore, highlighting his expertise in whitetail management from South Texas. Matt explains how management techniques differ regionally, noting that South Texas's large private ranches allow for control not possible in the Midwest. He details his background, including studying at Auburn University and working at Texas A&M University-Kingsville's Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute. The core of the discussion revolves around a long-term research project involving helicopter captures to tag and monitor deer. Matt shares findings on age structure, showing that aging deer by teeth is unreliable, and presents mortality data indicating high survival rates for deer aged 2 to 7. He discusses antler growth peaks at ages 5-6 in South Texas, influenced by rainfall and nutrition. Matt strongly argues against culling for genetics, citing studies like one at Comanche Ranch where 10 years of culling did not change average Boone and Crockett scores. He explains that antlers are a secondary trait and genetics are influenced by does, making culling ineffective in open populations. The conversation touches on spike bucks, with Matt noting that some spikes mature into large trophies, and he advises against shooting them unless overpopulation is an issue. He also covers supplemental feeding strategies, emphasizing the importance of timing for antler growth and fawn rearing. Matt addresses EHD impacts, describing how drought years create age gaps in deer populations, and discusses home range sizes, which vary based on resources. The episode concludes with plans for a future turkey hunting trip.

As heard by us

A grounded look at fitting feed, food plots and harvest patience to a property's region, acreage and budget.

Whitetail management is treated as a question of where limited feed dollars can do the most good. Matt connects antler growth to regional nutrition, then considers when giving a mature buck another year may be worth the risk.

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Why you'd press play

Make smarter calls about a limited feed budget, fawn rearing, and whether passing mature bucks fits your property.

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