Hey gang, Just looking for some thoughts here. Below are a couple of pictures of a buck I call Randall Cobb (due to G3 on left is size of corncob, and I love the Packers!!!). I have tons of pics of him in all stages of velvet, but he has only stepped in front of my cameras once since. My question is, do you think he looks so nice because of his velvet, or do you thing my post velvet picture is deceiving. Because he was one of my top bucks hit list bucks in September, and now I'm not so excited. Let me know your thoughts! Sorry, struggling with images!!!
My guess would be camera angle and the fact it's a little blurry. I'm no expert though. I know id shoot him. Hope you get to see him with your own eyes. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
First, it seems to me that this is a young buck, only 3.5 at the most, so knowing that, you have a potential future Mega Monster on your hands. That being said, nightime pictures, especially when they are moving, never seem to be complimentary to deer's antlers. I've had a few bucks over the years that turned out to be nicer than the nightime only photos led us to believe. Either way, He'd be a shooter on my property! good luck
I would agree that he looks to only be 3 1/2. Not saying I wouldn't shoot, but he has true STUD potential if he were to make it to next year.
He is what I thought he was from his velvet pic. I'd be putting an arrow in him personally but he is a 3 1/2 it seems with good genes.
Thanks for the input! A lot of you say he's 3-1/2. Any suggestions as to why. I usually just determine 1-1/2 2-1/2 to 3-1/2 by antler size. Body size? I just bought this property in July so I have no previous experience with any of the bucks.
I will also add a vote for 3.5 and needs another year. Lack of brisket, lack of a sway back, and that long slender nose lead me to believe he's 3.5 years old. That being said what you shoot is up to you. If he were on my place Id pass him and hope he turns into a monster next year. I'll agree with dampland that blurry night pics usually don't do antlers justice especially as far as mass is concerned. Hopefully you get see him on the hoof and make a judgement call from there
Neckline meets with his brisket (well lack of developed brisket) low, back is rigid, overall still has that race horse body structure of a younger one, muscle development on front shoulders and hind end are still developing...all point to a young deer. Obviously everything is somewhat to chance...I mean some deer like humans age differently. He could be as young as 2 1/2 or as old as 4 1/2 I would guess...but strong personal opinion is 3 1/2.
Antler size would be the least reliable way of judging the age of a buck. The body gives you the clues. The lower the neck line inserts into the brisket, the older the buck. A sway back and pot belly indicates a more mature buck. Rounded rump and less defined muscle in the shoulder and hips indicate an older buck. The appearance of a shorter nose/face indicates a larger bodies and more mature buck. There are other indicators, but you can use these to determine the approximate age of a buck. You could have a 2 1/2 year old buck that has better antlers than many mature bucks because that buck is carrying the superior genes.
Great feedback! I'm leaning toward younger 3-1/2 after reading. I think is rack looks so big possibly since his body is small. Hopefully he will spread some genes over the next month! I'll post up more pics if he shows back up. Or maybe of me holding him if he looks bigger from the stand!
