Forums
New posts
Search forums
What's new
New posts
New Trophy's
New trophy room comments
Media
New media
New comments
Search media
Members
Current visitors
New profile posts
Search profile posts
Classifieds
Trophy Room
New items
New comments
Latest content
Latest updates
Latest reviews
Author list
Series list
Search showcase
Log in
Register
What's new
Search
Search
Search titles and first posts only
Search titles only
By:
New posts
Search forums
Menu
Log in
Register
Install the app
Install
Forums
Tennessee Hunting Forums
Quality Deer Management
Growing Mature Bucks
JavaScript is disabled. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding.
You are using an out of date browser. It may not display this or other websites correctly.
You should upgrade or use an
alternative browser
.
Reply to thread
Message
<blockquote data-quote="TheLBLman" data-source="post: 5493141" data-attributes="member: 1409"><p><em>THIS </em>needs repeating!</p><p></p><p>IMO, the <strong><u>biggest obstacle</u> in producing mature bucks with above average (or even average) antlers</strong> for their age class (among the born cohort) is . . . . . . .</p><p>. . . . . . . <strong><u>hunters' antler high-grading of the genetically best antlered young bucks</u></strong></p><p>when those bucks are only 1 1/2, 2 1/2, or 3 1/2 yrs of age.</p><p></p><p>If we kill off our largest antlered young bucks,</p><p>then all that's left to grow older are those below average young bucks</p><p>everyone was eager to give a pass.</p><p></p><p>The best strategy to accomplish more larger antlered mature bucks is simply to target no bucks before they appear 5 1/2. By adhering to this higher standard, a typical mistake becomes a 4 1/2 rather than a 3 1/2.</p><p></p><p>As to the antler size gains typically from 4 1/2 to 5 1/2, it is relatively small by "score", but often much greater by visible "mass" (circumferences of antlers). Just saying, the "score" is not the full picture in comparing a 4 1/2's to a 5 1/2's antlers.</p><p></p><p>But on average, the difference between a 3 1/2 & a 4 1/2's antlers are dramatic, period.</p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p>Just based on the score difference BSK posted between "average" 3 1/2 vs 4 1/2s,</p><p>a hunter could increase the "score" of his harvested bucks, on average,</p><p>by about 20% simply by only taking 4 1/2 & older bucks</p><p>rather than just 3 1/2 yr-old bucks?</p><p></p><p>But guess what happens by 4 1/2 & 5 1/2, when a 140-class-plus 3 1/2 is allowed to live another year or two?</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="TheLBLman, post: 5493141, member: 1409"] [I]THIS [/I]needs repeating! IMO, the [B][U]biggest obstacle[/U] in producing mature bucks with above average (or even average) antlers[/B] for their age class (among the born cohort) is . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [B][U]hunters' antler high-grading of the genetically best antlered young bucks[/U][/B] when those bucks are only 1 1/2, 2 1/2, or 3 1/2 yrs of age. If we kill off our largest antlered young bucks, then all that's left to grow older are those below average young bucks everyone was eager to give a pass. The best strategy to accomplish more larger antlered mature bucks is simply to target no bucks before they appear 5 1/2. By adhering to this higher standard, a typical mistake becomes a 4 1/2 rather than a 3 1/2. As to the antler size gains typically from 4 1/2 to 5 1/2, it is relatively small by "score", but often much greater by visible "mass" (circumferences of antlers). Just saying, the "score" is not the full picture in comparing a 4 1/2's to a 5 1/2's antlers. But on average, the difference between a 3 1/2 & a 4 1/2's antlers are dramatic, period. Just based on the score difference BSK posted between "average" 3 1/2 vs 4 1/2s, a hunter could increase the "score" of his harvested bucks, on average, by about 20% simply by only taking 4 1/2 & older bucks rather than just 3 1/2 yr-old bucks? But guess what happens by 4 1/2 & 5 1/2, when a 140-class-plus 3 1/2 is allowed to live another year or two? [/QUOTE]
Verification
Post reply
Forums
Tennessee Hunting Forums
Quality Deer Management
Growing Mature Bucks
Top