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Age vs. Rack
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<blockquote data-quote="TheLBLman" data-source="post: 4542992" data-attributes="member: 1409"><p>From another thread, but very fitting here . . . . .</p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p>Usually, a particular buck will achieve his largest (or highest scoring) rack at the age of 5 1/2 or older.</p><p>So when we shoot off the larger racked young bucks, we are killing off our best stock, so to speak.</p><p>(This is called hunter-induced antler high-grading.</p><p>It is similar to timber cutters only cutting the high-quality oaks, while leaving only the "trash" trees as the next generation for harvest.)</p><p></p><p><strong>In TN, is very, very rare for a 3 1/2-yr-old buck to gross over 150.</strong></p><p>Such a buck would likely become a 180-plus if he lived to 5 1/2, </p><p>likely even make Boone & Crockett minimums as a 4 1/2.</p><p><strong></strong></p><p><strong>Most will never have to make this choice on a 3 1/2-yr-old buck.</strong></p><p></p><p>A more realistic choice is whether you let walk a 110-120-class 2 1/2-yr-old buck</p><p>(equating maybe to a 150-plus 4 1/2 or older buck when he survives) . . . . .</p><p>Or maybe the choice of letting walk a 130-135-class 3 1/2-yr-old buck</p><p>(equating maybe to a 150-ish 4 1/2 or older buck when he survives just one more year.</p><p></p><p>Often, not realizing the deer's age and lack of skeletal development,</p><p>when a 120-class 2 1/2-yr-old buck is seen by a hunter,</p><p>that hunter may genuinely believe he's seeing a 150-class rack.</p><p>This is why many hunter-managers are emphasizing hunters better learn to age bucks on the hoof.</p><p>Rarely will you have any ground shrinkage on an older buck.</p><p></p><p>If you really want to kill a 150-class buck,</p><p>that journey typically begins by passing up 2 1/2 & 3 1/2 yr-old bucks that score around the parameters stated above.</p><p></p><p>But kill what makes you happy <img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" class="smilie smilie--sprite smilie--sprite8" alt=":D" title="Big Grin :D" loading="lazy" data-shortname=":D" /></p><p></p><p>I'm happiest just killing no bucks I believe are younger than 4 1/2,</p><p>and only one 4 1/2 or older when I find his antlers "appealing" to me.</p><p>My typical "target" buck is going to be 5 1/2, and yes, will typically look around 150 or better.</p><p></p><p>It's just that in the areas I hunt, very few bucks could potentially break 150</p><p>unless they live to be 5 1/2. Very, very few.</p><p>But if I were to see a 150 believed to be only 3 1/2 in these areas I hunt most,</p><p>he would get a pass from me.</p><p></p><p>We are all at different stages in our hunting with different hunting opportunities.</p><p>Whatever your stage, wherever you are,</p><p>my suggestion is to make your highest priority to enjoy your journeys.</p><p>Look at your hunting as a journey, not necessarily a destination defined by a kill.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="TheLBLman, post: 4542992, member: 1409"] From another thread, but very fitting here . . . . . Usually, a particular buck will achieve his largest (or highest scoring) rack at the age of 5 1/2 or older. So when we shoot off the larger racked young bucks, we are killing off our best stock, so to speak. (This is called hunter-induced antler high-grading. It is similar to timber cutters only cutting the high-quality oaks, while leaving only the "trash" trees as the next generation for harvest.) [b]In TN, is very, very rare for a 3 1/2-yr-old buck to gross over 150.[/b] Such a buck would likely become a 180-plus if he lived to 5 1/2, likely even make Boone & Crockett minimums as a 4 1/2. [b] Most will never have to make this choice on a 3 1/2-yr-old buck.[/b] A more realistic choice is whether you let walk a 110-120-class 2 1/2-yr-old buck (equating maybe to a 150-plus 4 1/2 or older buck when he survives) . . . . . Or maybe the choice of letting walk a 130-135-class 3 1/2-yr-old buck (equating maybe to a 150-ish 4 1/2 or older buck when he survives just one more year. Often, not realizing the deer's age and lack of skeletal development, when a 120-class 2 1/2-yr-old buck is seen by a hunter, that hunter may genuinely believe he's seeing a 150-class rack. This is why many hunter-managers are emphasizing hunters better learn to age bucks on the hoof. Rarely will you have any ground shrinkage on an older buck. If you really want to kill a 150-class buck, that journey typically begins by passing up 2 1/2 & 3 1/2 yr-old bucks that score around the parameters stated above. But kill what makes you happy :D I'm happiest just killing no bucks I believe are younger than 4 1/2, and only one 4 1/2 or older when I find his antlers "appealing" to me. My typical "target" buck is going to be 5 1/2, and yes, will typically look around 150 or better. It's just that in the areas I hunt, very few bucks could potentially break 150 unless they live to be 5 1/2. Very, very few. But if I were to see a 150 believed to be only 3 1/2 in these areas I hunt most, he would get a pass from me. We are all at different stages in our hunting with different hunting opportunities. Whatever your stage, wherever you are, my suggestion is to make your highest priority to enjoy your journeys. Look at your hunting as a journey, not necessarily a destination defined by a kill. [/QUOTE]
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