Give Him Another Year?

[00DodgeGuy]

Posted this in my team thread, but looking for more opinions. Really good deer but I think he could be special. I am guessing him at 4.5.[ATTACH=CONFIG]10725[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]10726[/ATTACH]

[NBomb500]

Nice buck! Not an expert on bucks from your state but I'd say 3.5! Good looking deer there!

[wtnhunt]

Think the deer is at least a 4.5 year old.

[WHISKEYSWAMP]

definitely would be hard to pass on... I'd say he's 3.5 years old.

[Stinger-Hunter]

That's a tough call. In theory, it would be nice to pass on him until next year... but in reality, that bad boy would be taken. I would however try to let him go until after the rut - let him spread his genes a bit before the day of reckoning.

[Tominator]

In my situation, I'm afraid I'd be launching an arrow at that thing. Good luck.

[Shaun_300]

I don't think I could hold back on that big lad! Nice buck for sure.

[hoosierhunter]

I'd say try closer to 6.5 or 7.5...... That looks like an extremely old deer on his way downhill to me. Look at those shoulders, rear end, neck. Heck it's only Sept. That is one real old deer!

[Ethan Givan]

I wouldnt think twice about taking that deer

[stevebeilgard]

i'd think about the age at close range (a good view of him live), consider the possibility of poachers, winterkill, and roadkill, and launch.

[gobblerroller]

No way i would pass him up. You never know if he'll survive another season

[dbHunterNY]

he looks mature but doesn't look like he's topped out i think. if you have any doubts about if you should take him given the opportunity then let him grow. around here he would not live long at all. that's my circumstance, though, not yours.

[layin on the smackdown]

I think that deer is mature for sure. Guessing 4.5 - 5.5. Also, most bucks top out at 5.5, and from 4.5 to 5.5 ive seen a very small increase regarding inches. The biggest jump is generally from 3.5 - 4.5. I'd say he'll grow as much in the field as he will on your wall. I honestly don't thik he's gonna get much better than that, so unless you are managing a giant farm and you can be absolutely certain no one will shoot him, no poachers will shoot him, he will survive the winter and he'll be bigger next year then let him go...However, he's getting a free truck ride if he comes by my set.

I think Hoosier might be right....this deer may be older than 5.5 which, if true, makes him extremely special.

dan

Edited October 3, 2011 by layin on the smackdown

[High Country]

The question is "Are you seeing anything larger?"

My guess, and only a guess, is that he is 3.5 years...a very nice rack that will probably score in the 140s...though next year he would probably add a few inches...particularly his G2's look a bit small and he does not look as heavy as most 4.5 year old bucks that I have seen...

Your circumstances determine your answer though...Is he the largest that you have seen? How much property do you control? (Passing him up does not really help if he gets shot the minute he crosses onto a neighbor's property) Do you want him?

If the answer to questions 1 or 3 is yes, then I say SHOOT.

[ruttinbuc]

Never look a gift horse in the mouth. If he shows up and makes your heart pound, let her rip. Only you can decide what to pass or not when the time comes. We get too wrapped up in the numbers sometimes. In the end, does it really matter?

[mikebohio]

id shoot him then check the teeth for age. if he was too young i would try to recesitate. if that didnt work id just have him mounted and let him age on my wall.

[aldridgem1]

In my book thats a mature deer. Id guess him to be atleast 4.5 if not older. Considering it was only september and his body was that large, then def a shooter i think. If you get the chance id put him on the ground. I think that deer might just suprise you of how big he really is.