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Idea on score?

pass-thru

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Last year I pics of a buck I thought would go high 130s.  When I shot him he was closer to 115.  Sometimes it's tough to age from trail pics.  Any thoughts on the gross score of this deer?  He could probably use a couple of years to fill out mass and tine length, but this is the best I've got on camera so far this year.
 

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pass-thru":u8kt7g9f said:
Sometimes it's tough to age from trail pics. 
More like most of the time, especially when there is only one or two pics.
And this goes for both aging and scoring.

Personally, I'm typically more interested in age than score,
so if you have more body profile pics, they need not show the antlers.

My best guess based on those pics:

He's a 3 1/2-yr-old buck that will likely break 130 gross.
I do not believe he'll gross over 135;
I would not be shocked if he doesn't make 125.
I do believe he'll gain considerable mass should he survive another year.
 
3.5 and with all the points he'll touch low 130's. The short beams and lack of mass will hurt him. Given he lives to 4.5 or 5.5 he has potential to be a 150" class deer IMO.
 
The date is wrong on the pics...these are from a week ago and so far the only ones I have of him. Every year this time bucks show up or re-appear from last year.

If I get a shot at him, it will be very difficult to pass. I have hunted here for years and 4+yo bucks are hard to come by. So are bucks approaching 130". Between the highway and hunting pressure, the odds are not great of any particular deer making it another year.

A 3 year old with good potential should ideally be the most protected buck....I need to tell myself that when he steps out.
 
pass-thru":2ksh1aqy said:
1) Every year this time bucks show up or re-appear from last year.
2) So are bucks approaching 130". Between the highway and hunting pressure, the odds are not great of any particular deer making it another year.


I would disagree with the 2nd statement
When a deer gets 3.5+ he is more nocturnal, travels less frequently, and the road/poachers and rut is his worse enemies... I actually believe once a buck reaches 3.5 his ability to survive and live longer is more likely.

GOOD luck with him. He is a dandy and would be hard to pass up and hope for another opportunity next year!
 
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