chiefbkt

Nice looking buck!

Nice looking deer. Another couple years and they will be super nice.

Awesome buck, congrats!

At least 3 1/2, nice looking deer!

I will cite some long-term data collected from the Texas’ Kerr Wildlife Management Area. "From 1974 to 1997, this research facility was involved in a number of studies designed to determine the role of nutrition and genetics in white-tailed deer antler development. During each of various studies that took place over that time, researchers recorded antler information for individual bucks throughout that 23 year period. This wealth of data allowed biologists to back-track 217 bucks from yearlings (1 1/2) to 3 1/2 years of age and 168 bucks until they were 4 1/2 years old. So what did they find? In short, data from 385 bucks found that 90% of the bucks without brow tines at 3 1/2 and 4 1/2 years of age were spikes as yearlings (1 1/2 years old). All bucks without brow tines at 1 1/2 years old lacked brow tines at 4 1/2 years old. On the other hand, all bucks with 5 or more points as yearlings had both brow tines at maturity. Bucks that had both brow tines as yearlings had both brow tines at 3 1/2 and 4 1/2 years of age. The numbers above speak for themselves. In addition, we know that antler characteristics in white-tailed deer are highly heritable, so the probability of passing on genes for larger (or smaller) antlers is high depending on the quality of the bucks doing the breeding. If you are seeing a good number of bucks without brow tines on your ranch, then you now know it’s all in the genes. The only way to improve antler quality and reverse missing brow tines is to put pressure on spikes and bucks without brow tines, regardless of age. Your deer management practices should also include rolling over the doe herd to reduce the number of old does sired by bucks lacking brow tines."

My deer cart is a Case IH 885. haha. Nice doe! Good eats right there!

After some rough estimates, I come up with 165-170 inches at best. That's giving the buck 20" spread, with the G1's at 5", G2's at 7", G3's at 14", and G4's at 10", mainbeams of 25", and circumfrance of 5". Of course the abnormal point is a deduction. Just a rough estimation. Either way, still a great deer and congrats to your friend.

My brother in-law has shot 4 nice bucks in Charlottesville Virginia since their season opened in October. The latest is a 18 1/2" wide 9 point that scored in the 140's! There are some nice deer down there, and plenty of them!

Awesome pictures. Looks like you get a lot of activity at that scrape.

Definitely a nice deer. I would say 3.5-4.5 years old and probably 140-150 on the score. I wouldn't pass if I saw him. Good luck!

The gentleman told me the dogs mostly go by the smell of the dead deer...

I used Deer search a couple years ago after I hit a buck a little further back than wanted (guts and liver shot). I watched the deer stand in the field for 20 minutes humped up and then walk in the woods. It got dark and I gave him 4 hours and then started to look. I found good blood where I shot him and hair. I went to the last place I saw him on the woodline and found blood. I followed it for 200 yards (marking the trail with ribbon) and the blood got to the point where it was BB size drops. I called it quits for the night. I called Deer search in the morning and the guy met me with his dog mid afternoon. We went to the spot, I showed him the arrow, and he checked the hair. Informing me that it was a low paunch shot that probably caught the liver. Mean while the dog (daschound) was sniffing the area where I shot the deer. He let the dog smell the arrow and where the deer was standing for a few minutes and off they went. The dog never followed the blood trail I had marked the night before and at one point was 75-100 yards off the trail! Next thing you know the dog was barking and the guide said there he is! The experience was absolutely amazing and I would highly recommend it to anyone who thinks they wounded a deer. Best of all it is free! They do ask for a donation, which I graciously gave. If you are in doubt, call.

I would have placed money on that deer not having nuts! If male fawns are castrated early, they will never grow pedicels or antlers. Maybe he just has a testosterone issue.

Testosterone plays a huge roll in the antler cycle and castration in deer can have a profound effect on antlers. If a deer is hard antlered and castrated, he will lose his antlers normally and grow a new set, which will never shed their velvet. If a deer is in velvet and castrated, he will never shed his velvet or lose his antlers. I would bet he may have had male parts with exception of no balls (he is probably married).

That looks like a pretty old deer. Huge body, rack on the downhill slide. I wouldn't pass on him!

Ahh, that explains the picture quality. Always wanted to try and make a home brew camera...any tips?

I shoot Rage 2 blades with 350 grams arrow at 30" and 72 lbs. I have had a pass through on all the deer I've shot with exception of when it hits the opposite leg. I used to shoot 3 blade muzzys and never had an issue with them either. The key is finding the right combo of all the components and sticking with it.

You guys are right, there definitely looks like some type of wound there. There are 2 bucks a little smaller and 1 bigger buck in the same woods as him so maybe it is from fighting? Or maybe someone nicked him with an arrow? I am not sure. I have the cameras back out so maybe i will get more pics of him, or he will show up at that scrape on Saturday when I am in my stand!

I would say he is 3.5 and probably 170-200 lbs. Tough to tell with the angle, but he looks pretty solid. I would try making a mock scrape nearby and put the camera on that. If he is coming and hitting it (depending on time), you could probably hang a stand nearby and lure him in with some doe in estrous scent and/or rattling. Just a suggestion. Good luck!

Oddly, the same thing happened to me Sunday night. Sitting in a new stand I hung seeing nothing only to collect my camera the next day and see a nice buck at the opposite end of the field I was in. Oh well...

Doe working a scrape "Loxosceles reclusa" working a scrape Small buck at the scrape If you didn't see the head on this doe, you would swear its a buck! She has a pretty big body. "Stickers" I think this buck is 2.5 and will be super nice next year. What do you think?

Awesome pictures! What kind of trail camera do you use?

What a PIG! WNYBuckHunter is right, try to find out where he is headed and you may find him during daylight hours. If you have another trail cam available place it where you think he is going and you may get a few pics of him during daylight hours.

Nice picture. You don't see many like that on here.