A management buck is an older deer, with less than ideal antler growth - the kind of buck Schaafsma naturally wants removed from the population. Nevertheless, management bucks occasionally gross more than 105 B & C points and thus qualify for an SCI bronze medal award. Furthermore, Schaafsma can offer these hunts during the November rut after the regular season closes thanks to his participation in California's Private Lands Management program. Schaafsma has been enrolled in this program for the past three years. Last November I killed a management buck on Schaafsma's home ranch with silver medal hunter Dr. Bob Hawke of San Jose. Hawke was successful on the first morning, while I got my buck during a light rain storm in the afternoon. We looked at a variety of bucks that day and I lost count of how many when I ran out of fingers and toes. Seriously, it's that kind of place. Schaafsma currently offers up to 20 management buck hunts per year, which is more than his silver and gold medal hunts combined. Not surprisingly, some clients like the hunts so much they re-book after participating in one.
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