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Long Range Hunting & Shooting
Please help me age this deer
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<blockquote data-quote="Bullmark" data-source="post: 2016068" data-attributes="member: 113003"><p>Living in your sister state of Virginia I understand the "if it's brown, it's down" mentality. I have been blessed to have hunted all over the US and Canada for whitetails and have owned land in Iowa for 15 years. During this time I've learned from some of the best and gained a lifetime of knowledge. </p><p>let me first say that if the deer satisfies u, and makes u happy, then the rest is irrelevant. </p><p>But if u are managing for mature bucks and committed to the process you will be in for an amazing and sometimes cruel journey.</p><p>The genetics is something beyond your control. Even shooting older bucks with small racks will not impact the observed genetics. Those deer 4.5 or older that have smallish rack should still be taken out for other reasons. </p><p>Ive seen so many different bucks go against the norm it would blow your mind.....so nothing about year to year growth is absolute. </p><p>In general, if a buck is an 8pt after 3.5, he will always be an 8.....although he may grow some extras and should grow his frame and mass until his peak, which can be 7.5 or 9.5. </p><p>From your pic I'd say the buck is definitely 2.5 or 3.5. If I am ever in doubt I assume the younger age.</p><p>If the rain and food situation stays the same that buck should get bigger although the noticeable difference may be ever so slight........</p><p>With 600 acres you are in a go of position to pass bucks with a good chance of them showing up next yr. If u can recruit some of your neighbors it would be even better. </p><p>Set realistic goals and have fun doing it. Pay attention to your doe to buck ratio and keep it in check. </p><p>And lastly, the last (and dumbest) reason to shoot a buck is because the neighbor will shoot him if u don't. I've always told my friends that maybe the neighbor misses, or doesn't get a shot......or maybe the one that shoots him is a kid or first time hunter who will be far more excited than u. Good luck.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Bullmark, post: 2016068, member: 113003"] Living in your sister state of Virginia I understand the “if it’s brown, it’s down” mentality. I have been blessed to have hunted all over the US and Canada for whitetails and have owned land in Iowa for 15 years. During this time I’ve learned from some of the best and gained a lifetime of knowledge. let me first say that if the deer satisfies u, and makes u happy, then the rest is irrelevant. But if u are managing for mature bucks and committed to the process you will be in for an amazing and sometimes cruel journey. The genetics is something beyond your control. Even shooting older bucks with small racks will not impact the observed genetics. Those deer 4.5 or older that have smallish rack should still be taken out for other reasons. Ive seen so many different bucks go against the norm it would blow your mind.....so nothing about year to year growth is absolute. In general, if a buck is an 8pt after 3.5, he will always be an 8.....although he may grow some extras and should grow his frame and mass until his peak, which can be 7.5 or 9.5. From your pic I’d say the buck is definitely 2.5 or 3.5. If I am ever in doubt I assume the younger age. If the rain and food situation stays the same that buck should get bigger although the noticeable difference may be ever so slight........ With 600 acres you are in a go of position to pass bucks with a good chance of them showing up next yr. If u can recruit some of your neighbors it would be even better. Set realistic goals and have fun doing it. Pay attention to your doe to buck ratio and keep it in check. And lastly, the last (and dumbest) reason to shoot a buck is because the neighbor will shoot him if u don’t. I’ve always told my friends that maybe the neighbor misses, or doesn’t get a shot......or maybe the one that shoots him is a kid or first time hunter who will be far more excited than u. Good luck. [/QUOTE]
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