Quote:
Originally Posted by Penner
I'm leaning on waiting one more year but if he walked into my sights it would take some will power to not pull the trigger. Have to keep an eye on him over the next few months to see how much more he grows.
Good input from all. Thanks.
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I wouldn't get too caught up in "He's goin be this or that next year". He might get hit by a truck next week.
One thing to mention is the lack of comparison in a photo. We have to judge the body size first and then compare the antlers.
I notice a bit of a belly starting. Much like us old guys this takes time to develop. Two and three year old bucks are generally very lean. I would put him at least a 3/4 years old and probably older.
Also notice that his coat gives the impression of a younger deer as we subconsciously attach the reddish color and clean look to a young animal. Put him in his fall grey coat and he would look much different.
If you look at the left antler as compared to his left ear it looks to me to be at least a couple inches wider. A mature bucks ear spread is 15-17" so if the other side is similar you could be looking at 20+ inches of spread.
If you look at his face the color is greyer rather than the sharp whites of a young buck. Could be genetic but may suggest an older deer.
Now when you consider a couple more inches of growth, some major neck mass from the pre-rut/rut and you could be looking at a very impressive animal.
Unless you are shooting 160 class deer on a regular basis and have your heart set on something bigger OR if you are in an area where larger bucks are in abundance I wouldn't pass him up so quickly.
Get another look at him with some other deer. If he makes a big doe look small or a 2-3 year old buck look small you will know better what you are dealing with.
A buddy and I were looking at a doe feeding in a field and were thinking one for the freezer. It wasn't a really big doe but we were thinking 2-3 years and a good eater. Then a nice big doe 120-140 lbs walked out and we realized how wrong we were. It dwarfed the little guy. I have been looking at deer for 40 years or so and this circumstance just threw me off. The distance was a little farther, the light was behind her etc.
Is This Guy A Shooter?
..... Shoot that SOB !!! Goood luck
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