He wasn't really on my radar until he put on about 15" in the last 3 weeks. Some think he's 4, and others including myself think he's a 3 year old. I would shoot him either way but some of the other bucks dwarf him so I would really like to see what he turns into next year. As of now he seems extremely killable, his home range is about 75 yards and I have over 1,500 pictures of him standing in the same spot every day. Any opinions on age or score? I think he should break 160"
I think when he sheds he will have a very thin rack. he will definitely make 150's might push 160. always hard to tell in velvet. I agree he looks like a 3 yr old. his chest is still small.
Well, if you have bucks "that would dwarf him", I'd give him another year. Seriously though, I would shoot that buck the first chance I got!! He's old enough for me.
I think he looks four easy enough but if you have any doubt and have bigger bucks I'd give him a pass.
When I say dwarf I mean body size. We have quite a few awesome old mature bucks on the farm this year, I would guess 4 that would break 150" but I don't think any would out score him. Everything about this buck says 3 year old to me, but if he keeps up his daily routine he's not going to see 4.
I agree with Covey. I think he's 4, but another year certainly wont hurt anything. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
With no history on him I'd wait atleast until pre rut in hopes of getting a better look at him or more pictures to more accurately estimate his age. If you find out he's 4 I'd take him. Sent from my iPhone using Bowhunting.com Forums
I don't think he's 4 ?? But looks to be a 160issh buck. He has extremely good potential and it sure would be cool to see what he could be if allowed to live. However,he's a hell of a buck now and unless you have very controlled acres, and alot of it, it may be hard to keep him around to see what he becomes
I think he's mid 150s and either 3 or 4. Classic example of a buck that should get a pass if you can stand it (and it sounds like maybe you can). No shame in shooting him either as his age is not obvious. He's a great deer but will almost surely be better next year. Good luck getting him when he's ready. Whenever you guys decide that is.
He'd get a pass here even if he's 4. Our farm rules is 5 for bucks but I can certainly see an argument for dropping that down to 4. Ours don't generally gain much antler from 4-5. Biggest difference is the big boys have an extra year to breed but so do the lessor bucks. I find it pretty hard to distinguish between a 3 and 4 year old bucks, their chest and neck lines very often are very similar. I look at their head and overall build. 4 year olds tend to look older in the face and look less streamlined, you can just start to make out a little bit of belly sag and their front end is just starting to look heavier and shorter than their hind quarters. 3-4 isn't nearly as noticeable as 3-5's changes. That said...different parts of the country and we've seen pics of deer here on the forum that were confirmed 6+ that looked like 4 year olds every year. Reminds me of Captain Barbosa from Pirates of the Caribbean when he said they're not actual rules...more like guidelines.
I know exactly what you mean USMC. The buck in my avatar was a giant @3&1/2 yrs old. His body was normal size, but his antlers looked much older. I watched him when he was 2&1/2 take a doe from a 3&1/2 yr old without a fight! His antlers scared the other bucks all over & his attitude was affected. He became unafraid. He walked around like he was un-killable. If you don't take him out, does somebody else have the opportunity around you? I have to mention too...If you're managing for more deer like him...Do you really want to take him out? It's a very serious question you should ask yourself. Small sacrifice could have huge benefits... Good luck either way! We're all watching now & we all want to see what happens
Thanks for all the great feedback guys. This is our second year on this farm, and we recently acquired the acreage on the north side of our dead end road so this is the first year seeing him. This buck lives in the very north east corner on the property line (neighbor doesn't hunt it). I spoke with him and he said the 10-15 bucks that currently live in that little strip of woods usually disappear in mid-sept into the quarry to the north and don't show back up until Halloween cruising the edges. The neighbor to the East shot a 164" last year about 500 yards from there which is really the only hunters nearby. I feel like our mature bucks regardless of antler size are so obvious. This buck seems extremely carefree with how early in the afternoons he's on his feet and never leaves the side of another buck we call Banana which is definitely a 3 year old if that means anything. I would love to see him next year and try and peg one of our other mature bucks but I guess we'll see how it all plays out next month.
That's a stud! I'm in a different world out here and couldn't/wouldn't let him pass. But if you think he'll stick around, it sure would be interesting to see what he looks like next year. Best of luck to you either way! Love the crooked G3 on the left side too. Very cool!
He looks young with a ton of potential. I would not even be tempted to pick up my bow. I would enjoy watching him this year and hope he makes it to next year. That deer has the chance of being something very few ever become. Even if you think he is 4, he's worth waiting on.
Awesome buck! It would be hard for me to let him walk, but if you can, do it. He will be a Giant if he makes it.
I'm no expert on judging deer, but my first gut reaction was 3yr old. Definitely in the 50's and I wouldn't be all the shocked if he pushed 160. Wouldn t fault you for shooting him cause he is going to look good from a treestand! If you do decide to hold off for a year, or two, I think he would be an absolute TOAD. Gorgeous buck man, good luck hunting him. Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk
