You will notice on the below chart the question being asked if big bucks in Maine are beginning to make a comeback. While the data presented indicate an increase in the number of 200-pound and greater bucks taken as a percentage of the total harvest, one should probably not jump to too many conclusions. Bucks’ weight is determined by many things, as has been historically, in which we will see small fluctuations up and down. There’s always the possibility as well that a larger size buck, if it relates to a slightly older or more mature deer, may be an indication of an aging deer population which may not be such a good thing.
However, a slight uptick in deer harvest and percentage of large bucks taken, generally speaking and all factors relative, can be taken as probably positive signs.
Chart and data compiled by a contributor and researcher for TomRemington.com
