UPDATED ON PAGE 2. The first picture is from last year of a buck I called Buddy. Let him walk at 30 yards during gun season. Is this next a pic of Buddy a year older, or just a relative?
I don't think they put on that much bone in one year. Nice buck in the second pic tho. How you been Scott?
I don't think it is unreasonable to think a deer put on that much bone. It doesn't always happen, however, I've seen many deer put on around 30 inches in a year. Especially when growing each year between 2 1/2 and 5 1/2. I don't know that its the same deer, but discounting that it is based solely on it blowing up isn't enough for me.
Sure looks like it could be him. It's not improbible for a deer to put on 30+ inches in a year. Good genetics, good food, a mild winter and early Spring can make a huge difference from 2 to 3. IMO 2 to 3 and 3 to 4 is when you'll see the biggest jumps in antler size if a deer has the genetics. The only thing that gets me is the first buck has a pretty pronounced double throat patch, where it looks like the other doesn't. Aside from that, rack color and configuration is identical.
Doing pretty good here John. Working all week and hunting when I find time. How are things out your way? And Justin good call on the throat patch. I had completely forgot about that trait on Buddy when I dug through the archives tonight.
Same old same ols here. Having a hared time seeing good bucks on their feet in daylight. Lots of little ones. Got a turkey a couple weeks ago.
Definitely could be the same buck, but than again I don't think there's a 30 inch differance between the two pics. If i'm you I'm hoping they are two different deer.... you'd have two nice bucks walking around your neck of the woods.
Same story here on the deer. Killed a doe first weekend, but bucks have been no shows. Crossing the river into the next county over a little this year. So far the grass isn't any greener there.
I was gonna say the same about the throat patch, don't see it in the 2nd pic. Great buck though Scott, kill em!!
I don't see it as unreasonable that the two deer are the same, but the throat patch that Justin stated is something to think about.
I would say it is very likely to be the same deer. That is not an unreasonable jump for the age and area I would guess. I have picked up enough sheds from year to year and seen enough deer killed following a year or two of picking up sheds to know it is entirely possible to have some huge jumps in antler growth. I have seen some go well over 30 inches in one year.
I agree with Justin. First thing I noticed was that Bucky had the two patches on his neck and the other one doesn't look like it has that much white.
As Justin and others pointed out the double throat patch, or lack thereof was a giveaway. The following pic shows it clearly.
