Just pulled a picture of this fella off of my trail cam. What do ya think he will blossom into next year??
He has alot of potential next year. If he is getting good protein in his diet. A 10 or 12 point maybe next year?
Hard to tell Al. Trying to guess his age will give you the best estimate possible for your answer. So by looking at the photo and knowing the grounds you hunt.. whats your age estimate of this whitetail buck? Cause you have to figure.. if he's a 2 yr old animal he's got another 2 years of growing before he likely won't put much more on after. Keeping in mind that whitetails put on about 90% or so of their antler size by this age. Of course.. there are those few who do continue to really put on inches.. but that's not very normal. Especially under real world conditions.. where nutrition and stress can play huge roles. He's a nice buck. But to be truthful.. you really need a better pic to indicate a better age guesstimate to get the answer you are looking for. But if I was a betting man.. without looking at his age.. it's a safe be that he'll likely be around 120-125" next season. Unless he gets some really crazy nutrition going.
Depends on his age. Also depends on the winter and the food he consumes from here on out till he's done growing his next rack. I'd say with an average winter he'll be a mid to high 130's buck this fall.
If I had to guess I would say that he is a 3.5, but its really a close call. I did see him once in person a few weeks back and he looks to have a nice 3.5 y/o body. Hes been feeding off of about 50 acres of standing corn, which outta last this particular group a while. Nutrition is really not a factor around me, we have plenty of beans and peas early, then they hit the alfalfa, then apples, then corn. All of which there is plenty, im pretty excited about him because the only real limiting factor around me is age, and if he makes it to next year he could really be something.
Al in my neck of the woods the deer between 2.5 and 3.5 average about 15" of antler growth about the same or more between 3.5 and 4.5.I think he might look like those antlers I sent you earlier in the year would be my guess.
I hope you find out next year Al! Good luck on him. With any luck he'll put on some inches and mass... Should be a great deer!
Thanks for insight fellas, ive gotten a few more photos of him but they dont really show him off any better. No matter what, hes probably gonna get an arrow next year if the chance arises.
That is likely a 2 yr old in Illinois. 9 times out of 10. But I still adore you Dr. A.:d Get ready for some sheddin'!
You're good to go Al, check out the first exception listed below Part 189 of Title 6 of the Codes, Rules and Regulations of the State of New York was adopted on July 30, 2003. Part of this rule restricts the feeding of deer. In New York, it is illegal to feed deer by putting out any material that attracts deer to feed. There are five exceptions to the rule: 1. Agricultural crops including wildlife food plots. 2. Distribution of food to livestock. 3. Distribution of food to captive deer. 4. Cutting of trees and brush. 5. Scientific research, wildlife damage abatement, and wildlife population reduction programs, but only under a permit issued by DEC. http://www.dec.ny.gov/animals/7197.html
Hmm well that makes things interesting! I might mess around with that next year, time permitting. Thanks for the info fats!
