BSK
Well-Known Member
I'm often asked how I "match" a buck from pictures one year to the next. Antlers can grow significantly from year to year, and "seeing" the same buck underneath those changed antlers can be difficult. But it is VERY common for bucks to keep certain traits in their antlers from year to year, such as the relationship in length between G2s and G3s (and G4s if they have them). Curvitures of points and whether or not vertical tines are upright or lean forward are also generally kept throughout a bucks lifetime. Whether browtines are close together or far apart, and whether they lean in, go strait up, or lean out will often stay the same. Whether the beam are horizontal to the head or sweap upwards rapidly are often traits held through life. Even the way the beams end--just straight at the end or a slight upward sweep can be seen year to year.
Even sometimes subtle clues such as throat patches and black chin-strap shape can be giveaways. Or even a body marking or scar. Lots of little clues to look for.
Here's an example of buck I just got on camera last week--a 3 1/2 year-old 8-point:
So by looking at those pictures, A few things to remember when looking at last years pictures to try and find him:
His G3s are considerably shorter than his G2s. Both his G2s and G3s curve slightly forward. His browtines are widely set and grow straight up, but are short. Beams relatively horizontal to the ground with the buck's head in a normal upright position. When looking at the camera, his left beam (on the right in the picture) ends lower than his right beam and has a slight "swoop" at the end that his right beam does not have.
Looking through lasst years pictures, I found this 2 1/2 year-old buck:
He has all the right shapes. G2's longer than G3s, slight forward curvature of the vertical tines, browtines well spaced and vertical (plus short). Horizontal beams. Left beam ending lower than right and with a slight "swoop" at the end.
Then there is the clincher. Look at both pictures of the bucks looking at the camera from the two years. Notice the notch in the buck's right ear (on the left side in the picture). Same buck.
Here's a better picture of the buck's notched ear from last year (after velvet shedding):
Even sometimes subtle clues such as throat patches and black chin-strap shape can be giveaways. Or even a body marking or scar. Lots of little clues to look for.
Here's an example of buck I just got on camera last week--a 3 1/2 year-old 8-point:
So by looking at those pictures, A few things to remember when looking at last years pictures to try and find him:
His G3s are considerably shorter than his G2s. Both his G2s and G3s curve slightly forward. His browtines are widely set and grow straight up, but are short. Beams relatively horizontal to the ground with the buck's head in a normal upright position. When looking at the camera, his left beam (on the right in the picture) ends lower than his right beam and has a slight "swoop" at the end that his right beam does not have.
Looking through lasst years pictures, I found this 2 1/2 year-old buck:
He has all the right shapes. G2's longer than G3s, slight forward curvature of the vertical tines, browtines well spaced and vertical (plus short). Horizontal beams. Left beam ending lower than right and with a slight "swoop" at the end.
Then there is the clincher. Look at both pictures of the bucks looking at the camera from the two years. Notice the notch in the buck's right ear (on the left side in the picture). Same buck.
Here's a better picture of the buck's notched ear from last year (after velvet shedding):
