would you guys shoot a skinny 12??? looks like a management deer but i wonder will his rack thicken up next yr???
What does his body show, is he a solid 3.5, 4.5 or older? If he was a 4.5 and carried low mass I'd shoot him, on the other hand I rarely see anything bigger than 10 points where I hunt so depends on the herd you are hunting.
That depends on a variety of factors. IMO mass seems to be something that deer either have genetically even from when they're 2 year old bucks and it continues to thicken as they get older. But if a deer has a skinny rack at 2 and 3 years old, they generally don't put on too much mass as they age. Yes, they'll thicken up a little bit but they'll never be a massive beast like some bucks. Just like people, they all have different genetics and grow differently. I'm not a big fan of the "management deer" term even on a highly managed farm, let alone here in the Chicago 'burbs. Just because a buck's rack isn't huge and massive doesn't make him any less of a trophy. After all, antlers certainly don't make them smarter!! How old do you think the buck is? And what do you consider a trophy for you? Remember, it's not always about what we would do. For me, I'm shooting any deer I think is 3 1/2 or older. Some guys may only want to shoot 4 1/2's and older, and some guys might shoot any deer that walks in front of them. At the end of the day it doesn't matter what other people think. If you'd be happy shooting that deer, then shoot him. If you think you'd be happier passing and waiting until next year, or the year after, then pass him up. Only you can make that call!
I would shoot a skinny! I'm the guy that shoots anything that walks in front of him, a 12 would be awsome!!!
I think Justin nailed it. For me personally, I would first determine if he was 3.5, then it's just a judgment call. Who really cares what other people think.
a 12 point? ur durn tootin id bust him. i cant for the life of me break the 10point barrier. i have 3 things that i want to accomplish in my hunting carreer. 1. kill a symetrical buck over 10 points. 2. kill a drop tine buck. preferably symetrical but i really dnt care. 3. kill a huge nontypical
