Outdoor Enthusiast
Well-Known Member
What are your thoughts on age? The pic was taken last week.
Odd right side. Likely damage to the pedicle.
Odd right side. Likely damage to the pedicle.
We hunters are often our own worst enemies when it comes to growing mature bucks with above average antlersAnother mature buck showed up. Unfortunately another buck with a below average rack.
I've got some pretty good data from large properties that have experienced fairly intense high-grading over a number of years. In these examples, most top-end bucks get killed as 3 1/2 year-olds, with even a few top-end 2 1/2s getting shot. The long-term results are a major decline in the antler quality of available mature bucks. And this is not "culling out" good antler genetics. These properties still produce good 3 1/2 year-old bucks. The problem is, only the bottom half of the 3 1/2 year-olds are living to maturity. All the top-end 3 1/2s get shot, leaving few if any to reach maturity.We hunters are often our own worst enemies when it comes to growing mature bucks with above average antlers
Most bucks I'm seeing that survive to maturity in TN are going to have below average racks.
Those with above average racks rarely live past 3 1/2.
Statewide, most are killed as 2 1/2s.
Mature bucks, even with below average antlers, can still be unique & prized trophy antlers.
This is especially the case to me when they start adding some non-typical tines or stickers, which often happens at 5 1/2 and older.
Yep. I can definitely identify with the hunters that tend to high grade. But the first buck in this thread is not really the same category as the second. He has clearly sustained an injury. If not for that, I think he would have an average scoring rack for a mature buck in my area.We hunters are often our own worst enemies when it comes to growing mature bucks with above average antlers
Most bucks I'm seeing that survive to maturity in TN are going to have below average racks.
Those with above average racks rarely live past 3 1/2.
Statewide, most are killed as 2 1/2s.
Mature bucks, even with below average antlers, can still be unique & prized trophy antlers.
This is especially the case to me when they start adding some non-typical tines or stickers, which often happens at 5 1/2 and older.