I was told the deer sizes are much smaller in the southern states than in the north. But how much smaller. What is the usaul weight?
Sun, 2010-11-14 22:08
Deer size.
Sun, 2010-11-14 23:09
#1
I'd say they are smaller in
I'd say they are smaller in the south...we have genetically different deer here. We kill 3+ year old deer with weights ranging from 150 lbs and up. The heaviest deer I shot has been 206 lbs.
There is the occassional 250-275 lb deer but that is very rare to harvest a deer that weights that much in NC. A 200+ lb deer is something talked about for awhile.
The does are smaller...a 100 lb doe is a big doe. So I'd say we have smaller deer in NC as compared to the Midwest and Northern states.
Mon, 2010-11-15 11:02
#2
The one thing you have to be
The one thing you have to be careful with in comparing the sizes is seeing exactly what weight they are reporting. You will see alot of ranches and outfitters in the south that will hoist the deer, not dressed, onto a scale. Then they'll be talking about the 200 lb deer that it is. However, when you figure in the dressed weight, it's only 160 lbs. I would say, on average, the deer in the northern parts of the country are 25% heavier than the southern ones. That does not include areas of the midwest like Kansa, or Oklahoma that are sort of south of that imaginary line, but are very well fed, and HUGE!
Again, this is just my calculations, and very rough at that.
Mon, 2010-11-15 11:36
#3
I trying to understand your
I trying to understand your point. Is it to make sure you compare a dreesed deer with a dressed deer? Or total weight to total weight?
Most people refer to the weight of a deer being the total weight, not dressed weight, at least that is what I have always believed.
Am I wrong in my thinking?
Mon, 2010-11-29 10:08
#4
I think it is a regional
I think it is a regional thing, and that is my point. In New England, it's all dressed weight for the most part. When you read about the Benoit family and their quest for 200 pound bucks, it's dressed weight. When you see the Maine Big Buck Club, it's dressed weight. However, as you say, down south there is alot of "live weight" reports. If you get a "200 pound deer" in North Carolina, and a "200 pouund deer" in Maine, the Maine buck is 25 percent larger. Your deer will include 40 pounds of guts, while the Maine deer will not.
That's all I am saying. I am not saying one is right or one is wrong. I personally don't care how someone weighs their deer, but if you are going to compare body sizes, you have to be on the same page with the measurements. A 200 pound deer by North Carolina measurements is an average 2 1/2 year old, 160 pounder in Vermont. A 200 pounder by Vermont's measurements is a stud, 4 1/2 year old mature "trophy".
No biggie. I would settle for one of "your" 200 pound deer, OR one of "my" 200 pound deer. Does not matter to me at this point.... 
Mon, 2010-11-29 10:17
#5
I am with you. It doesn't
I am with you. It doesn't matter to what the deer weighs, I just want a nice tender, juicy one for my freezer and i am not having any luck yet. I still have rifle season and bow season, but I wish I had one for the freezer by now.
Mon, 2010-11-29 21:01
#6
Ok, I see what you're saying
Ok, I see what you're saying about being a regional thing and which way the deer are weighted. We do have much smaller body size deer than northern states, maybe smaller than you may realize. Our 200 lb deer will be 5+ years of age while a 2 1/2 year old will weight somewhere around 140 lbs max.
I'm guessing the length one has to drag a deer before it is loaded on some type of vehicle may also play a part in whether to dress the deer or not. We can get to within 50 yards of all the places when kill deer so even dragging a 200 lb deer that far isn't a big deal. But most of our bucks we kill will be around 160-180 lbs. A 200 lb buck is rare for around these parts. Whereas in the north, you may have a farther distance to drag a deer before getting to some type of vehicle to transport the deer.
I agree I would settle for any 200 lb buck right now....
Although, I can't complain as I have put some venison in the freezer. No trophy bucks yet this year but I'm thankful.
Good luck, Ca_V, I hope you get your buck! 
Tue, 2010-11-30 17:32
#7
Thanks. Heck, I should look
Thanks. Heck, I should look you up next time I am out there, maybe for a hog or deer hunt.
My father in law lives in Charlotte, so most of NC is driveable from there.
Tue, 2010-11-30 19:18
#8
I'm sure the guys in the club
I'm sure the guys in the club wouldn't mind if you were to shoot some hogs, but they probably wouldn't allow a whitetail hunt. They're funny that way.
The hogs can be hunted year round, but it would be best to hunt them while it's fairly cold, maybe Jan thru early March. But, hunting hogs isn't a guaranteed kill. We didn't see any this past weekend, so it's it or miss.
Charlotte is about a 3 hour drive and we have a small hunting cabin to stay in.
I wouldn't think it would be a problem so if you decide to head this way, give me a weeks notice.
Good luck and good hunting.
Tue, 2010-11-30 19:40
#9
CA-V,
I have all of December
CA-V,
I have all of December open... you can hunt at will.
I live 90 miles from Charlotte but the camp is another 90 miles south of Lexington where I live.
No garauntee on the deer - December is a tough month - but you never know.
I have some plots.... and plenty of black water swamp to hunt.
Come on down...
Jim
Tue, 2010-11-30 21:04
#10
Ecu, I wouldn't think of
Ecu, I wouldn't think of asking to hunt on the club. I was thinking more of just heading out and you giving me some pointers on local public land, if there is any.
Jim, My F-in-law has another house down in Myrtle Beach. Are you over near the coast, or inland? I see alot of deer on that Charlotte to Myrtle beach drive.
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