In February of 2013 I found a set of sheds to what appeared to be a 2.5 year old 9 point. At the time I thought he had quite a bit of potential and could turn into a nice deer. As season came and went I never saw that buck. I didn't think too much of it since he possibly didn't live in the property and was maybe even dead by then. Winter rolled around and I put mineral and corn out again. It wasn't very long and that same buck showed up, but now he was a clean 8 and had lost his small g4. I was happy to see him again and felt that he still had a chance to make a big jump. But regardless of his rack, I had every intention to kill him if given the chance when he hit 4.5. I ended up finding his sheds as a 3.5 and devised a plan to kill him. I felt like I had an idea of where he might be bedding and hung a stand to take advantage of a north/northeast wind. So this past fall I waited for October 30 before going on after him. My first time in I had him at 60 yards but he wouldn't come any closer. I ended up seeing 7 different bucks that morning. I also sat there the next morning and nearly killed a different 4.5 year old. I also had a 9.5 year old buck come by with no shot. I ended up seeing this buck several times, but never could get a shot at him. Later in the season I ended up taking the 9.5 year old buck, so that ended my season on this property. I ended up going back and shooting a doe there, and wouldn't you know I had this buck come by at 15 yards broadside and couldn't shoot him since I had already killed a buck. So fast forward to today. He's back again and I feel that now he's the dominant buck in this area. He should be 5.5 now, but he simply hasn't grown. That's ok though, he's still gonna be my number one hitlister this year. Here is Mr. Clean. 2012 2013 2014 2015
He won't score much, but thats fine with me. I like building a history with a buck. I have a good feeling I'm gonna get a shot at this guy.
thats (unfortunatly) quite common around here now days. i have alot of history with different bucks that have grown very little (other than mass) from 3.5-5.5. thats why the "he has potetial" phase does'nt get said out of my mouth very often.
I know exactly what you mean. It happens more times than not that mass is all these bucks put on. There is another buck on the property that is 4.5 that is the same deal. And oddly enough that 4.5 hasn't put on a lot of size on his body either. I do have one though that jumped from about 75" last year to about 130" as a 3.5 this year. I'll be keeping my eye on him.
Wow. It's interesting that he peaked so early. Definitely a cool story and a great trophy. Where are the pictures of the 9.5 year old buck you killed? And I'm assuming you know he was 9.5 because you followed him as he grew up? Very cool story!
Oddly enough, I had no history with the buck I killed other than the couple times I saw him last year. I killed him the 4th time that I saw him. I knew he was a mature buck, but wasn't sure on his age. His rack was small and his live weight was 197 lbs I believe. Only reason I know his age is because I had his jawbone aged. Everybody that saw him asked why I shot him and my brother and I are the only ones that said he was mature. It's weird that I killed the buck I did because I was really trying to kill another 9.5 year old I had a ton of history with. But that buck ended up getting killed by another guy that hunts the property. Here is the buck I killed.
its always good when you have a story behind a deer that has been eluding you. great story, great buck and good luck brother!
What do you feel is the most accurate method to age deer? Just wondering because I haven't heard of many other methods that are used.
I believe after 3 yo the only method is having history with a given deer since it's first 2 years of life. All other methods are inaccurate and a far cry from science. As hunters, all we need to know is mature or not, the buck you have look mature and are great bucks. Congrats!
