Couple of prospects

[Grizzly Johnson]

First card pull… several decent bucks along with some does with babies and some predators too… For now, these 2 are the best of show…. One is front and back pics, other is front only. Pics are within the past two weeks.

 

[JAY B]

couple of dandys, good luck

 

[DoubleRidge]

Nice bucks!

 

[Wrangler95]

Nice ones!

 

[Andy S.]

Nice bucks, best of luck with them this season.

 

[Union Co. Boy]

Heck yeah! I'd be tickled for sure.

 

[TNTreeman]

Nice one

 

[PossumSlayer]

Oh boy

 

[Grizzly Johnson]

I'm excited to see how they progress until they shed their velvet… It's nice to have a place to hunt with permission. To let the deer grow and mature, see how big the get over the next year, and have a like minded neighbor. I doubt that I will archery hunt, so for me, muzzleloader season can't get here soon enough!!

 

[BSK]

Great bucks!

 

[TheLBLman]

The one in your first pic on left side of page has some really unique "character" and his mass plus that "character" is highly indicative he may be at least 4 1/2.

Yep, I know we're not supposed, and can't use antlers as an accurate guide to age, but it's rare to see that kind of mass & "character" from bucks younger than 5 1/2. I suspect this buck is 5 1/2 or older.

 

[Grizzly Johnson]

The one in your first pic on left side of page has some really unique "character" and his mass plus that "character" is highly indicative he may be at least 4 1/2.

Yep, I know we're not supposed, and can't use antlers as an accurate guide to age, but it's rare to see that kind of mass & "character" from bucks younger than 5 1/2. I suspect this buck is 5 1/2 or older.

I am wondering if it's this guy… only had 1 pic of him from mid June-Jan when season closed and I pulled my cameras…

 

[TheLBLman]

I am wondering if it's this guy… only had 1 pic of him from mid June-Jan when season closed and I pulled my cameras…

Not the same buck, imo.
"This guy" (last year) appeared significantly wider and taller than the velvet buck in your 1st pic, albeit the velvet buck isn't half done growing yet.

Also, note the velvet buck is growing a much longer (relative to R-G2) R-G3.
The more common antler configuration is for the G2s to be longer than the G3s.
That guy from last year appeared to have near equal, but still slightly longer G2 than G3 on his right antler.

Usually, with velvet bucks, the antler tines closest to the head grow & finish growing first.
Note on the velvet buck that his R-G3, despite beginning to grow later, is already significantly longer than his R-G2. This single difference between "this guy" and this velvet buck is a near certain indicator we're looking at different bucks.

I believe there will soon be some other significant antler differences that rule out these being the same buck. These include main beam configuration & curvature, as well as width. Another biggie will be differences of each buck's G1's.

 

[TheLBLman]

Many antler characteristics are much akin to human fingerprints regarding how they don't change configuration over time. Between 2 1/2 & 6 1/2, whitetail antlers generally grow each year remarkably similar to the prior year, but usually gain "mass" (particularly the circumference 1 inch above the hairline), as well as a propensity to grow "sticker" tines (usually relatively short, but longer each year).

Sticker points become increasingly common on bucks that reach 5 1/2 or older. They are most commonly going to grow near the bases, as well as off the G2 tines. These "non-typical" points are much of what gives fully mature bucks their more unique character and more special trophy status.

 

[Grizzly Johnson]

Appreciate your reply TheLBLman.