• Help Support TNDeer:

PIG of a body on this buck

Andy S.

Andy S.

Well-Known Member
TNDeer Supporter
Joined
Jul 26, 1999
Messages
24,261
Reaction score
8,950
Location
Atoka, TN
How old do you reckon this guy is? I'm leaning towards 5.5. I have no history with this buck, he just appeared at this scrape last week.

MDGC0008.jpg


MDGC0034.jpg


Short video clip (click on picture to view)
 
Nice buck. Based on body I would say he is 4.5 but his mass says he is 3.5. Also his rack is pretty clean so I would say he is a studly 3.5. JMO What do you think he will score?
 
fairchaser said:
What do you think he will score?
Click to expand...
115-118 gross. If I was fairly confident he was 4.5+, I might would pull the trigger IF given the opportunity. I shot the buck below few years back based on age alone, and his teeth said 2.5 or 3.5 (depending on which side you went with). He had a 27" neck, field dressed 187lbs and completely fooled me (if he was indeed 2.5 or 3.5). I really do not want that to happen again, thus the reason I am asking for others' opinions. Thanks for the feedback fairchaser.

DSCN0902.jpg
 
Wow he was a bruiser. I would have made that mistake too if you call that a mistake. The mass alone says he is older. The buck I shot last year was 4.5 and he had over 4 inch bases but not as much mass as this deer. Aging deer is an art not a science that is if you are looking at the teeth and not slicing into them. That buck you have a pic of would probably get me into trouble too. Im not very good at field judging although I have scored many deer. On the hoof is a different deal. Im trying to talk myself out of one right now that I saw last Friday. Too much stress!!!
 
fairchaser said:
if you call that a mistake.
Click to expand...
Not calling it a mistake by any means. I was extremely happy with the second buck and still am. Bottom line is I am trying to get more proficient/accurate at aging them on the hoof based on body characteristics ALONE. I hope to one day be able to target mature bucks strictly on body characteristics with a good amount of accuracy, nothing more, nothing less. Making that crucial decision (field judging a bucks age) in a real woods hunting environment when you have a split second even further complicates the matter IMO.
 
Not saying that I shot my buck on age, but I did see the other age classes in the same area. Do you factor any of this on determing age of a buck? The buck I saw Friday was in front of a 1.5 and a 2.5 so does that make him a 3.5? Seeing the deer is one thing but can you tell age based on behavior? I see the experts even disagree when they are staring at a pic. Much less when they see a buck ghosting through the woods for a few seconds. The buck I shot came out to kick another buck's tail. That might say something or not. Body size obviously matters some but my buck only weighed 137 lbs. Your right its a complicated matter.
 
Andy S. said:
How old do you reckon this guy is? I'm leaning towards 5.5.
Click to expand...
Andy,

I'm just "undecided" on this one, based on the pics/video.
Believe he's at least 4 1/2.
If he's is 5 1/2 or older, certainly another candidate for Wes' High Grading Theory. ;)

Bring in the teeth and we'll have a better idea.
 
He is "mature", that's all that would matter to me, I don't care if he's 4.5 or 5.5 or plus, I also wouldn't care if he was a spike or a 12 point, if he's got that hog body I'm shooting him. Just my opinion though. Nice deer and good luck whenever you decide to take him, this year or next.
 
Wes Parrish said:
I'm just "undecided" on this one,based on the pics/video.
Click to expand...
Me too. First pic I said 5.5, second pic I said 4.5+ (what little I can see) and video led me to believe 4.5 MAYBE. Decisions decisions I tell ya. :)

Wes Parrish said:
Believe he's at least 4 1/2.
Click to expand...
X2

Wes Parrish said:
Bring in the teeth and we'll have a better idea.
Click to expand...
Yes we will, but it may be to the tune of $250 out of my pocket (imposed fine) if the teeth say 3.5. I am just not ready or willing to take that chance unless several more of you guys/gals persuade me he is 4.5+. Ha. :D

As always, thanks for your opinions/feedback Wes.
 
The last pic makes him look like a younger deer except for the stomach. May-be he had mexican for lunch.
 
Thanks HOWA. If a few more agree with you (4.5+), I may go after him and see what becomes of it. And I wholeheartedly agree with you; if a buck is 4.5+, he has my full attention, regardless of his antler size. I like matching wits with mature bucks even though I lose most of the time. What I don't like to do is waste precious time in an area pursuing a particular buck that I think is mature, when in fact he may not be, thus the reason for this post. Thanks again for your insight.
 
He would be easier to take a chance on if he scored 120 and I think he might be 120. He has good width and the rack will look smaller due to his big body size. Best of luck.
 
i would guess 4.5 ,looks too beefy for a 3.5 ,the width of his chest is wide looking,good luck as it would be hard to pass up if the chance came
 

Latest posts

Back
Top