Big 8 down with some history!!

[NYBowhunter]

Got this big guy saturday morning. We have a little history. Two years ago i had him on my trail camera however during the seasons i had no sightings and then late season he started to show on camera again so i was hopeful to maybe take him in the late season or muzzleloader..little did i know when i got back from an evenings hunt in December my father said he found a set of horns neatly laying under an apple tree..i was upset to say the least but going through my mind i knew something was wrong as he shed his antlers way early, it was beginning of December. Fast forward 2 years and here he is and now that hes down i can see why he dropped early 2 years prior. He had a deformed front hoof from either birth or most likely an injury..2 years ago i put him at 3 1/2 yrs. Old. Im no expert on how to age deer by teeth, but based upon his history and having hunted this area for many years im thinking hes 5 1/2..i will post pictures of his lower jaw bone for those that are more educated on aging by teeth.

Edited October 26, 2014 by NYBowhunter

[Terry]

Nice buck, congrats!

[GreeneHunter]

Nice

[NYBowhunter]

Lower jaw bone..cleaned skull and sheds from 2 years ago.

[Terry]

I am impressed you have his skull cleaned already, that's a lot of work!

I would agree with your age estimate, he's definitely a mature buck.

[NYBowhunter]

Thanks terry...but i wont take all the credit. My dad helped me, but yes its alot of work. Lots of cleaning and boiled it twice for hours each time. It cleaned up real nice.

[BizCT]

Great story/history. Congrats

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[growalot]

CONGRATS!

[sidewinder]

very nice looking buck and congrats to you on a great hunt.

 

 

[Hock3y24]

Nice one, congrats

[ants]

Very nice..congrats!

[thunnus]

I'm floored that you found the sheds then the former owner.

As an ex biologist makes for one heck of a study.

Well done!

[landtracdeerhunter]

Congrats on a great buck and story!

[NYBowhunter]

I'm floored that you found the sheds then the former owner.

As an ex biologist makes for one heck of a study.

Well done!

Thanks..im floored as well. .in all my years i have not seen one side shed that size let alone a matching set. I realize that I will probably never be able to duplicate this story again..i do however credit the finding of the sheds to my dad and even he was in shock when he found them. I just happened to close the deal on him 2 years later.

[Lawdwaz]

That is a very nice buck.  A picture looking straight down on the jaw would be more helpful for guesstimates on age but he sure does have some wear regardless.

 

Did you get a chance to put him on a scale?

[NFA-ADK]

Awesome!  Congratulations on a beauty of a buck and thanks for sharing the history, sheds and jaw bow!  Very cool! 

[NYBowhunter]

Any guesses people on his age based upon the jaw bone i attached?? Thanks

[NYBowhunter]

That is a very nice buck. A picture looking straight down on the jaw would be more helpful for guesstimates on age but he sure does have some wear regardless.

Did you get a chance to put him on a scale?

Wish i did and i usually do but this time i didnt..yep im pissed that i forgot to weigh him. I think i took one other picture of his jaw not sure if its looking down, let me check..i have the skull with me will a picture of the upper teeth help?

[Terry]

I took a look at the information and tools I have to age deer by their teeth. He looks 4-1/2 to me. Doesn't have enough wear for 5 IMHO.

[phade]

Congrats! Very nice buck!

[NYBowhunter]

Heres another shot of lower and one of the upper. Also forgot mention in my story that his outside rack spread was 18 1/2"..hope these 2 pics. help. Thanks

[NYBowhunter]

I took a look at the information and tools I have to age deer by their teeth. He looks 4-1/2 to me. Doesn't have enough wear for 5 IMHO.

Thanks and you might be correct...i just found it hard to put an age of 2/12 on those sheds knowing the racks in my area for that size are typically found only on 31/2 yr. olds. I know rack size is no way an indicator of age however having seen enough 2 and 3 yr. Olds in my area you get a sense of age.

[nyantler]

What a beauty!

 

[NYBowhunter]

Thanks all.

[Terry]

Thanks and you might be correct...i just found it hard to put an age of 2/12 on those sheds knowing the racks in my area for that size are typically found only on 31/2 yr. olds. I know rack size is no way an indicator of age however having seen enough 2 and 3 yr. Olds in my area you get a sense of age.

Keep in mind I am no professional.

Regardless of age he is a great buck and one to be very proud of. Age, score, weight, all just add to it. The story makes the trophy.