Bucks that are not seen

[peytoncreekhunter]

Do you think there are "big" or "trophy" bucks that are rarely or never seen?

If so, do you think Tennessee has more 150 inch or better bucks than we think?

 

[deerhunter10]

Do you think there are "big" or "trophy" bucks that are rarely or never seen?

If so, do you think Tennessee has more 150 inch or better bucks than we think?

Yes they are older because they are good at avoiding people. And thats generally how your getting bigger scoring deer.

I think there's quite a few 150 inch plus deer killed and seen every year in tn. I dont know how to quantify a number on it. I will say there's a lot of 150 inch deer that are actually 125 to 130 inches. A lot of people dont know how to even guess a score of a deer on their feet. The Facebook deer pages will be full of that in a month.

 

[Heath423]

Yes, I do believe there are more mature bucks lingering around than we think. It just makes sense. Obviously, I can't prove it.

 

[quackaholic]

Yes they are older because they are good at avoiding people. And thats generally how your getting bigger scoring deer.

I think there's quite a few 150 inch plus deer killed and seen every year in tn. I dont know how to quantify a number on it. I will say there's a lot of 150 inch deer that are actually 125 to 130 inches. A lot of people dont know how to even guess a score of a deer on their feet. The Facebook deer pages will be full of that in a month.

This^^^^^

 

[PickettSFHunter]

Maybe back in the day but the wild areas are disappearing fast. Also, Cameras are everywhere and the use of drones to locate and kill big bucks is rapidly increasing.

 

[BSK]

In areas hunters aren't running cameras on not running them wisely, yes there are more old, big bucks than hunters think there are.

In addition, I could give example after example of big bucks known to exist that have never been seen by a hunter, as well as examples of hunters hunting areas for years with known big bucks that have never seen one in person.

 

[m_allison71]

I will say there's a lot of 150 inch deer that are actually 125 to 130 inches. A lot of people dont know how to even guess a score of a deer on their feet. The Facebook deer pages will be full of that in a month.

I had a friend that never described a deer he was after under 160. Most were at least 180.

 

[fairchaser]

Never has there been a large buck on Ames that was killed where no one had seen him or gotten a picture that I'm aware of. Often, several hunters had gotten pictures in some cases over many seasons. It's possible for a buck to wander in from off property on an excursion and get killed but very likely his picture was captured by someone. The labyrinth of cameras almost makes it impossible for a buck to escape per view. I think it would surprise most hunters how few actual ghost bucks are out there.

 

[Rackseeker]

Depends on what area of Tennessee you are in. I would say in parts of TN there are definitely mature bucks that never see a human. Not saying they don't know humans are in the area, most are nocturnal and pattern the hunters. I would also say there are more 150s in those areas than most people think.

 

[backyardtndeer]

Maybe back in the day but the wild areas are disappearing fast. Also, Cameras are everywhere and the use of drones to locate and kill big bucks is rapidly increasing.

Yep. Unfortunately, many areas these days seems like the deer you think no one likely knows about are actually on several others hitlists due to technology.

 

[buckbstr_1]

There is a four pointer that is close to 8-9yrs old. He has been a four pointer his entire life. I passed on him when he was probably 3.5-4.5. Huge body and a wide thin rack with short brows. I usually see him before or around now season and do not see him at all during hunting daylight hours. I have seen him at night in the field with a bunch of does last year. His body is larger than most and his rack makes you think he is not old. Last year my neighbor got him on the camera and he told me he needs another year. I told him he needs to shoot him because he is a very mature and old buck. He argued with me and I finally just had to quit pointing out his neck and short legs. My neighbor thinks I am silly waiting and wanting to kill him!

 

[Ski]

Sure there are some, especially in large tracts. But I'd say it's very few. Almost never do I see a buck that I haven't gotten on camera. But there are LOTS of old big bucks I get on cam but never see with my own eyes.

I've got one particular buck that is 8yrs old this year. I've got him on cam pretty regularly since he was 3yrs old. Not once have I seen that buck in person. And he's on cam so often that my property is in his core. If it weren't for cams I wouldn't even know he exists.

 

[Popcorn]

In areas hunters aren't running cameras on not running them wisely, yes there are more old, big bucks than hunters think there are.

In addition, I could give example after example of big bucks known to exist that have never been seen by a hunter, as well as examples of hunters hunting areas for years with known big bucks that have never seen one in person.

This^^^

 

[backyardtndeer]

During the pre rut and rut we usually get a few what I call passer thru bucks, that may or may not pass any of my cameras. Every year we get at least one that I may get one pic or may just see the deer one time, never any pics before and never see them again. I am sure those get noticed on other properties around us though as every property bordering us and those bordering them have pretty consistent hunting. We have had a couple deer that we had no pics of until the day we killed them. Actually kind of nice some times to have those surprises pop up and having to make quick split second decisions on the deer with no prior history or pics that you have evaluated. Couple years ago after season ended we got a pic of a drop tine buck passing by right on the edge of our property, no pics of that deer ever again.