Minimum Size for Deer Hunting Property
Filed under: Ask Grant, Hunting Tactics
I am looking at available land in Maine to purchase and build a house. I am an avid hunter, and specifically am looking at lots with acreage, with the hope of successfully hunting on my own property for years to come. What do you feel would be the minimum amount of land (acres) that would be needed to be able to positively affect the deer population? Thanks, Brock P.S. I just found your website for the first time today. It is awesome to see you taking the time to take your kids hunting and teaching them the wonders of God’s creation. My wife and I are expecting our first daughter in February, and I look forward to the opportunity to do the same! God Bless!
Brock,
Congratulations on expecting your first child! If I would have realized how great kids were earlier in my life, I would have probably had a quiver full!!
The “minimum amount of land needed” to be able to manage deer is extremely variable based on the quality of each property and the quality and activities on the neighboring properties. For example, my place (which is called The Proving Grounds) is 1,500+ acres. However, there are 34 neighboring properties and they don’t have the same deer management objectives as I do.
On the other hand, a friend of mine owns 136 acres in Missouri that borders a 2,000 acre state park. Some of the largest bucks in Missouri harvested during the past three consecutive years have been taken on those 136 acres.
I suggest you carefully consider your long-term deer management objectives. Then consider if the property you are considering is large enough to support those objectives and/or if the neighbors will cooperate to help you achieve your deer management objectives. The size of deer home ranges is extremely variable throughout the whitetail’s range. However, a constant is that the better the habitat, the smaller the average deer home range size in that area tends to be.
Growing Deer together,
Grant
