10 Days of Antler Growth


Rhino

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This is a MS buck I've been keeping tabs on for the past 3 weeks or so. A couple of weeks ago I noticed he appeared to have started to grow kickers off both G2's. I also discovered he has a split brow tine on his right side. I put this 6 pic sequence together into one to show his progress. As of the 29th he's starting to grow at least one G4. Obviously, I'm still keeping tabs on him.

BTW...our antler growing period is a little different than some of yours. These MS bucks shed around the middle of March and antler growth continues through the end of August. Velvet shedding usually occurs around the end of the 3rd week of September, give or take a few days.

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Are you gonna shoot him or let him walk?

Is that a trick question? :D I expect him to add more bone before he's finished filling out. He definately looks like he'll grow into a wall hanger this year. That's a goodun for MS and kicker points are rare for this part of the country. He's one of 2 bucks on my "Hit List" so far. I also have another young bowhunting friend of mine that I'll allow to hunt my stands where this buck is hanging around right now. He's never killed a wall hanger with any weapon. However, if this buck steps out in range of me 1st, I doubt I'd let him walk.

The other hit list buck is a wide 8 point that I caught in another spot on July 20th. I moved the camera before I checked the card. The cam is back on him now to check his on his antler growth. ;)

Playing catch & release with trial cams is a blast as long as the big ones cooperate.

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...looks like he has a bit of a gut on him. How old you think he is?

I have quite a few profile pics William and I honestly believe he's 4.5.

I have pics of this other buck from last year & this year. I'm sure he was 4.5 last year so he's 5.5 now. As you can see, he has a lot of gut to him. Makes his legs look short. Here's a couple of last years pics pasted on top of one of my recent pics this year. Looks to be growing the same basic frame, just more mass and tine length. Also looks like a short kicker on his left G2.

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I have quite a few profile pics William and I honestly believe he's 4.5.

You are probably right Al, was thinking at least 4.5 with that sagging belly. Goes to show that those folks who judge deer while looking at their necks this time of the year will get fooled time and time again huh.

Last pictures there, no doubt that is a mature deer.

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Rhino-I don't think those are the same deer. That first deer doesn't come up nearly as high as that second buck.

If you're talking about the 2 pics from last season, I can promise you they are the same buck. Here's another daylight pic of him caught 43 seconds later than the other daylight pic.

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You were missing something :hammer1::D

My bad!!! That is for posting pics of a 2nd buck in this thread. Sorry :D

Gotta say...LMBO at rhine16

BTW...got another niceun but I hope to get an update on his antler growth when I pull the card this weekend. If I do, I'll start a new thread for him.

Edited by Rhino
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