Mature buck neck-size

[BSK]

A lot of hunters say they can't field-judge mature bucks. Honestly, just look at the neck--it's the easiest and quickest age criteria to judge in the field. Look at the size of this mature buck's neck:

 

[Str8Shooter]

BSK, during the rut when the younger bucks have swollen necks just like the older bucks, would the only way to tell the difference in a younger buck and an older buck be the sagging back? Or is there a big difference in the size of the neck of a big buck during the rut?

 

[JCDEERMAN]

BSK, during the rut when the younger bucks have swollen necks just like the older bucks, would the only way to tell the difference in a younger buck and an older buck be the sagging back? Or is there a big difference in the size of the neck of a big buck during the rut?

Neck, leg length (short), chest, back...many different ways.

In most instances, YOU KNOW when you see a mature buck! There wont be a doubt in your mind that he is anything otherwise

 

[BSK]

BSK, during the rut when the younger bucks have swollen necks just like the older bucks, would the only way to tell the difference in a younger buck and an older buck be the sagging back? Or is there a big difference in the size of the neck of a big buck during the rut?

There will be a noticable difference in neck size for each age-class of buck, even during the peak of the rut.

 

[Mike Belt]

...and just how the neck fits on the main torso.

 

[Andy S.]

Nice pic Bryan. When was it taken? Did you or anyone else connect with this buck? My problem is 99% of the time, I do not see that neck (4.5+ yr old) in the daylight and the 1% time I do catch a glimpse of one, it is usually moving quickly through the thickest crap around me. Thanks for sharing the pic.

 

[BSK]

Last year, when he was 4 1/2, we saw this buck once at 300+ yards crossing a powerline. He just showed up on cam this year Dec. 2. Haven't seen him yet. However, that picture was taken 20 yards from my favorite stand!

 

[ROUGH COUNTRY HUNTER]

nice buck,hope you get him

 

[DOC1187]

i shot one this year with a 24 inch neck

 

[BSK]

i shot one this year with a 24 inch neck

That's a neck!

 

[BSK]

The only true "old" buck I've ever killed. Not much in the rack department, but look at the neck on this stud!

 

[Winchester]

The only true "old" buck I've ever killed. Not much in the rack department, but look at the neck on this stud!

Yep, he's a bulldozer BSK. how old is he?

Not the best pic but this buck my son killed this year had a lil over 24" neck as well. Not a huge bodied deer either, just a big ol neck on him.

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[stik]

26 1/2 inch neck on this guy

 

[BSK]

Yep, he's a bulldozer BSK. how old is he?

6 1/2.

 

[Football Hunter]

where are ya'll measuring the neck?Right behind the ears?

 

[762hunter]

BSK you can't hardly pick that ole boy up
that is one THICK neck



love the drop tine

 

[Winchester]

where are ya'll measuring the neck?Right behind the ears?

Yes, a correct measurement for mounting purposes is took right behind the ears. Very few TN deer have much over a 25" neck, even the ones that dress over 200 lbs. Matter of fact my Taxidermist in 30+ years of mounting about 200 deer a year has only ever ordered one 27" form and it was a Canada deer.

 

[Quailman]

Would this qualify as a big neck? :grin: Field dressed 235lbs.

 

[JohnnyBond]

:cool:

 

[BSK]

You're cheating Quailman! No IL bucks!! ;)

 

[Quailman]

You're cheating Quailman! No IL bucks!! ;)

Ha! Sorry, I couldn't resist! :grin:

 

[Quailman]

You're cheating Quailman! No IL bucks!! ;)

Is this better BSK? TN deer, 5 1/2+ yrs old, 183 field dressed. Big neck too! ;)

 

[W.Seay]

Once you see a fully mature buck, you NEVER forget what it looks like!