Two good bucks

[Hollar Hunter]

You gotta love the older mature bucks and the character they bring to the table.

Yes, and to me, a fully mature buck with his unique and often massive antlers, is a much better "trophy" than a 2 1/2 or 3 1/2-yr-old buck that "scores" much higher on the B&C scoring system.

Say you see two bucks at a distance, one is a 150-class 10-point 3 1/2 with 4 1/2" bases and the typical long tines that adds 10 to 20 inches to his "score"; the other is a 130-class 8-point 5 1/2 with 6" bases and more average tine length: That 130-class mature buck will be the the one that "stands out" as a massive set of antlers, while you hardly notice the long tines on the younger buck.

So for me, "mass" trumps "score", and older trumps younger, in defining a trophy buck. The popular B&C scoring system over-values tine length while under-valuing overall "mass", while totally failing to recognize the value of maturity over luck (the luck of good antler genetics on a particular animal).

X2
I've only had that scenario happen once and it was at 20 yds but when you see a very mature heavy horned buck next to a 3.5 that scores better the decision was easily made to shoot the old beast!

 

[TheLBLman]

I've only had that scenario happen once and it was at 20 yds but when you see a very mature heavy horned buck next to a 3.5 that scores better the decision was easily made to shoot the old beast!

Side by side, I believe MOST hunters wouldn't even consider the B&C score of one buck vs. the other, as the massive mature antlers would "stand out" as the heavier rack, better "trophy" antlers.

Scores are for ball games.

 

[mathews338]

I've enjoyed seeing these stud bucks you have every year! My question is have you killed any of them yet or seen them while hunting?

X2!

 

[Hollar Hunter]

I've only had that scenario happen once and it was at 20 yds but when you see a very mature heavy horned buck next to a 3.5 that scores better the decision was easily made to shoot the old beast!

Side by side, I believe MOST hunters wouldn't even consider the B&C score of one buck vs. the other, as the massive mature antlers would "stand out" as the heavier rack, better "trophy" antlers.

Scores are for ball games.

I agree, I don't believe I even considered the other buck until after the shot when i started replaying back what had just happened... Mass whether it be body or rack command attention and both is just a no brainer!

 

[Phil1979]

Nice

 

[W.Seay]

You gotta love the older mature bucks and the character they bring to the table.

Yes, and to me, a fully mature buck with his unique and often massive antlers, is a much better "trophy" than a 2 1/2 or 3 1/2-yr-old buck that "scores" much higher on the B&C scoring system.

Say you see two bucks at a distance, one is a 150-class 10-point 3 1/2 with 4 1/2" bases and the typical long tines that adds 10 to 20 inches to his "score"; the other is a 130-class 8-point 5 1/2 with 6" bases and more average tine length: That 130-class mature buck will be the the one that "stands out" as a massive set of antlers, while you hardly notice the long tines on the younger buck.

So for me, "mass" trumps "score", and older trumps younger, in defining a trophy buck. The popular B&C scoring system over-values tine length while under-valuing overall "mass", while totally failing to recognize the value of maturity over luck (the luck of good antler genetics on a particular animal).

X2 Wes

 

[Boone 58]

Wow!!! studs!

 

[wobblegobble]

Zachman, have you killed any of those monsters you post every year yet?

 

[Ironsmith-Jared]

The second deer is 8 years old now?

 

[REM7]

WOW is all I got

 

[deaddownwind]

Very nice. I want to see big mass daddy when you get him on the ground!