Whitetail deer bag limit

[Skerhunter]

I think they get pretty big in them Nebraska farm fields

I think the average yield not counting backstraps ends up being ~35 maybe 40lbs for a doe. Not much meat on the ribs/neck compared to buck.

No idea how many pounds of fat we cut off their backs/butt, but it’s a lot!

 

[Pickettpuncher]

After processing 2-3 deer a year myself! The romance is over and I’m good till next year 3 years ago I shot a buck that weighed over 230 lbs on the hoof! Sent him to the processor and got back 60lbs that’s like 25% so I decided after that to do my own! Plus I’m not even sure the meat was from my deer or how many days it had bounced around in that hillbilly s truck bed

I put up 7 two seasons ago and 4 this past season. I usually kill a couple and have some donations. All processing done by myself.

 

[mi650]

2 bucks here, and basically unlimited doe tags.

When I was a teenager and 1st started hunting, doe tags were a draw. IIRC, the odds were about 1/7. Eventually by about the mid-late 90s, the herd built up to compete with TX having the highest numbers in the country. Then the DNR and insurance companies declared war on does.

It's still a rare day that I couldn't kill a deer if I chose to, but nothing like 20 years ago, when I could count on seeing 20-25 any given morning or afternoon hunt.

 

[Bugger]

3 years ago I shot a buck that weighed over 230 lbs on the hoof! Sent him to the processor and got back 60lbs that’s like 25%

That is about what I’d expect from a butcher. Typical yield is ~30% processed boneless meat from live weight depending on the condition of the animal. A lot of people get hosed by processors, but that return is pretty standard unless they cut a lot of pork in the sausage and used your deer elsewhere.

 

[Rich M]

After processing 2-3 deer a year myself! The romance is over and I’m good till next year 3 years ago I shot a buck that weighed over 230 lbs on the hoof! Sent him to the processor and got back 60lbs that’s like 25% so I decided after that to do my own! Plus I’m not even sure the meat was from my deer or how many days it had bounced around in that hillbilly s truck bed

Dad started processing back in the 70's after hunt buddy jilted him on his share of the meat from a processor. Started off with bone in and then went boneless.

I got about 75-80# of meat off a 300# live weight muley and usually get about 30% off WTs - boneless, trimmed meat, steaks, roasts, grind.

 

[Boarmaster]

That is about what I’d expect from a butcher. Typical yield is ~30% processed boneless meat from live weight depending on the condition of the animal. A lot of people get hosed by processors, but that return is pretty standard unless they cut a lot of pork in the sausage and used your deer elsewhere.

This. Especially if you don't have trim added to your grind. If you shoot them thru a shoulder or both then it can be even less.

 

[PaulB84]

In Michigan, the rules require a law degree to parse, but this year (and for the next two, for certain counties) they extended bow all the way til the end of January. I honestly would have to check my records but I think I took 8-9 doe this year.

I have no interest in shooting bucks. They're fun to look at, bring money into the state, and don't taste as good, which is the sole reason I deer hunt. I passed on several decent 8s and more 4s and 6s than I can remember.

 

[timekiller13]

We had unlimited doe tags for several years here in NC. You could only kill 2 per day, but there was no season limit.

I once shot 6 does in 3 days and swore I would never do that again and I haven’t.

Now I shoot one or two a season.

 

[Long Cut]

Cool?

The National Deer Association released a study recently based off of Georgia’s recent deer harvest (2 buck, 10 doe State bag limit)….

64% of GA deer hunters didn’t kill 1 doe….
19% killed 1 doe….

Remember, the State bag limit is 10 does and 2 bucks.

Most guys are “hunting for horns”… despite the fact that most of Central & South GA have excessive deer populations in the 75-100 deer per square mile range. Close to exceeding the habitats carry capacity in most places without Agriculture.

 

[PaulB84]

Cool?

The National Deer Association released a study recently based off of Georgia’s recent deer harvest (2 buck, 10 doe State bag limit)….

64% of GA deer hunters didn’t kill 1 doe….
19% killed 1 doe….

Remember, the State bag limit is 10 does and 2 bucks.

Most guys are “hunting for horns”… despite the fact that most of Central & South GA have excessive deer populations in the 75-100 deer per square mile range. Close to exceeding the habitats carry capacity in most places without Agriculture.
View attachment 854314

I would venture to guess we have nearly identical stats in Michigan. The number of guys posting how they took their two bucks and now it's on to ice fishing or whatever is crazy.

 

[Long Cut]

I would venture to guess we have nearly identical stats in Michigan. The number of guys posting how they took their two bucks and now it's on to ice fishing or whatever is crazy.

Probably true.. the world’s oldest free range doe was killed in Georgia this past season. She was over 24 years old….
Despite the fact that most bucks getting shot are 2-3YO in Georgia.

 

[PaulB84]

Probably true.. the world’s oldest free range doe was killed in Georgia this past season. She was over 24 years old….
Despite the fact that most bucks getting shot are 2-3YO in Georgia.

Whoa! I read about a 20 year old taken there in October..., and I think a 22 was taken in Vermont a while back. .got a link for the 24 year old?

 

[Long Cut]

Whoa! I read about a 20 year old taken there in October..., and I think a 22 was taken in Vermont a while back. .got a link for the 24 year old?

This 20-Year-Old Georgia Doe Might Be the Oldest Deer Ever Killed in the State

A Georgia deer hunter harvested a 20-year-old doe in November 2024 that is likely the oldest deer ever killed in the state.

www.outdoorlife.com

20 YO not 24**