I have what I believe to be a 2 1/2 year old 8 pointer with what I believe to have bad genetics. It is only maybe 12 or 13 inches wide, not semetrical, and knotty bases. I want to shoot it so the genetics aren't passed down. My Dad completely disagrees and thinks that its going to blow up next year. Shoot or pass and wait til next year?
Bad genetics at 2-1/2? I've seen a lot smaller 2 year olds, I'd pass and look forward to seeing him in two years!
Pass If you really want to shoot him do it be happy do make up an excuse to shoot him. It is really difficult to manage a wild deer herd and 70% of antler genetics comes from the doe.
I would definitely pass that deer. Looks to me like he could really blow up into something big. Appears to have a lot of potential.
I would pass as well. If he makes you happy, shoot! But I think he's way too young to define as a "cull".
Your never going to manage bad genetics in a wild deer population anyway. Not unless you can get everyone within many square miles to buy in as well for many years. Shoot what makes you happy and let the ones that don't walk.
Man you reading way too much into this....young deer, and not the worst rack you will ever see. Pass him up if bigger in the future are you main goal. If you want to shoot hm then go ahead but do it for the right reasons,that your will be happy with a decent buck and the in you mind he is ok. To take the holier then thou approach and say your doing it to better the herd...well you have no way of knowing if that is true and secondly it seem more like chest thumping and self back patting then rather then just being a man and making a decision that make you happy.
Pass man let him grow and hell show improvment. That is not a bad deer at all anyways. If your trophy hunting anyways you want a more mature deer anyways. Who ever knows what he will show up 2 be.
