#3032914 - 11/14/12 11:16 AM
Mature buck or not?
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BlountArrow
8 Point
Registered: 07/13/12
Posts: 1276
Loc: SouthEast Tenn
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I found BSK's handy dandy deer aging post with pictures to be quite helpful but wanted to get a second opinion on one. I have a small farm and combined with a neighbor we have close to 500 acres and I've been managing my piece for about 7 years and have never taken the first buck off of it. We just don't see very many mature bucks - ever; and I'm just not going to throw away my hardwork by killing an imature buck (that's just me and that's just the way I see it). In my area bucks probably rarely, very rarely make it past age 2.5. However last year and this year, I actually started getting a buck or two on film that I believe are mature and I had another pic of a monster.
I can't post pictures because I cannot access the Photobucket website from this computer. I was wondering if someone would be kind enough to post a pic or two for me so you guys could tell me what you think the age of the deer is, i.e. whether or not he's mature.
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"The world is so dreadfully managed, one hardly knows to whom to complain."
-Ronald Firbank
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#3032938 - 11/14/12 11:26 AM
Re: Mature buck or not?
[Re: BlountArrow]
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BigD_625
10 Point
Registered: 09/30/09
Posts: 2984
Loc: Maury County, TN
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PM Sent.
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#3032946 - 11/14/12 11:28 AM
Re: Mature buck or not?
[Re: BigD_625]
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BlountArrow
8 Point
Registered: 07/13/12
Posts: 1276
Loc: SouthEast Tenn
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Thanks a lot BigD, pics sent you.
_________________________
"The world is so dreadfully managed, one hardly knows to whom to complain."
-Ronald Firbank
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#3033007 - 11/14/12 12:00 PM
Re: Mature buck or not?...PICS ADDED
[Re: BigD_625]
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BlountArrow
8 Point
Registered: 07/13/12
Posts: 1276
Loc: SouthEast Tenn
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Thanks Again, BigD.
What do you think, guys....Mature Buck?....Age?
_________________________
"The world is so dreadfully managed, one hardly knows to whom to complain."
-Ronald Firbank
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#3033014 - 11/14/12 12:05 PM
Re: Mature buck or not?...PICS ADDED
[Re: BlountArrow]
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travle
4 Point
Registered: 10/16/12
Posts: 206
Loc: NW Tenn
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Definately mature look at that sagging belly... at minimum i'd go 4.5 but i'm sure its atleast 5.5
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#3033023 - 11/14/12 12:14 PM
Re: Mature buck or not?...PICS ADDED
[Re: travle]
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travle
4 Point
Registered: 10/16/12
Posts: 206
Loc: NW Tenn
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You are headed in the right direction on ur management efforts i'd say. it does take time especially if others around u arent practicing the same way you are.
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#3033031 - 11/14/12 12:26 PM
Re: Mature buck or not?...PICS ADDED
[Re: travle]
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BlountArrow
8 Point
Registered: 07/13/12
Posts: 1276
Loc: SouthEast Tenn
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You are headed in the right direction on ur management efforts i'd say. it does take time especially if others around u arent practicing the same way you are.
Thanks...obviously the date and time stamps are off BTW. I have one Bushnell Trophy Cam that when the batteries get a little weak it stops keeping track of date and time for some reason. I'm not experienced with judging age at all and I was thinking more like 3.5 - 4.5 tops.
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"The world is so dreadfully managed, one hardly knows to whom to complain."
-Ronald Firbank
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#3033035 - 11/14/12 12:29 PM
Re: Mature buck or not?...PICS ADDED
[Re: BlountArrow]
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156p&y
10 Point
Registered: 10/23/01
Posts: 4097
Loc: Franklin Tn
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Looks like at least 5.5 to me; 3.5 he would not have that gut and usually 4.5 year olds don't have a gut either.
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#3033043 - 11/14/12 12:36 PM
Re: Mature buck or not?...PICS ADDED
[Re: BlountArrow]
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String Music
8 Point
Registered: 09/24/07
Posts: 1428
Loc: Knoxville
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Definately mature. He could easily be 5 1/2 based on his waist line, deep chest and full back hams. Also, he appears to be asserting his dominance over the younger buck in the last picture.
This is evidence of your management practices. Even with an intense harvest of younger bucks, there are always a few that slip through and reach maturity. However, if the hunting pressure is high, those that do reach maturity will likely relocate.
If you don't already, you need to leave certain areas of your property completely off limits. Mature bucks need a stress-free core area that is free from human intrusion.
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