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Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 15,122 Likes: 53
Old Mossy Horns
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Old Mossy Horns
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 15,122 Likes: 53 |
I think lot of truth said by Huck
I see some of same on my 256 every year - may not be as mad at em this year either
Hunt the wind - leave it better than you found it - love your neighbor as you love your self
We need prayer for our country now more than ever
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Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 6,079 Likes: 20
12 point
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12 point
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 6,079 Likes: 20 |
I killed one this year that i have had pics of for 3 years. He was at least 2 when I got the first pics. The antlers are an average nice deer for our area but nothing special. The antlers have basically been the same size for the 3 years, maybe a little larger in 2022. Based on the antlers alone, I could've shot him first year I saw him with same result antler wise. He has a running buddy that I have the same 3 years of pics that has gotten larger body and antler wise all 3 years. He is a wide deer (close to 20" this past year) so I let him go as I've never killed a deer with a 20" inside spread and in hope that he makes it til this year and is wider than 20. I hope I can let you know... Antlers mean very very little...
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Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 29,171 Likes: 87
Dances With Weeds
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Dances With Weeds
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 29,171 Likes: 87 |
If you're managing age structure alone , shouldn't that be the only indicator to do so ? Don't get me wrong, antler growth can help when ageing deer, but it's not entirely conclusive. Body size, physical appearance, etc, are even more conclusive IMO. 3-4 year old deer bumping 130 would be the exact reason NOT to go by antler growth alone, would it not ?
If you’re wanting to manage for age structure alone then I’d say whatever method results in the best age structure would be the way to go……If 50,60, or 70% of the bucks are off limits because they don’t meet a score requirement then a lot of bucks get old
Folks that know don't shoot old does........ 
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Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 15,096 Likes: 149
Old Mossy Horns
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Old Mossy Horns
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 15,096 Likes: 149 |
If you're managing age structure alone , shouldn't that be the only indicator to do so ? Don't get me wrong, antler growth can help when ageing deer, but it's not entirely conclusive. Body size, physical appearance, etc, are even more conclusive IMO. 3-4 year old deer bumping 130 would be the exact reason NOT to go by antler growth alone, would it not ?
If you’re wanting to manage for age structure alone then I’d say whatever method results in the best age structure would be the way to go……If 50,60, or 70% of the bucks are off limits because they don’t meet a score requirement then a lot of bucks get old I agree that the majority of hunters assume age based off racks.
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Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 19,240 Likes: 28
Old Mossy Horns
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Old Mossy Horns
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 19,240 Likes: 28 |
Cnc , but hunters like to kill some thing ever now and then . Hell,,, if waited on a 130 here ill be waiting a long time . If I was really hard core about it nothing killed should be younger than 6
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Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 1,857 Likes: 1
8 point
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8 point
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 1,857 Likes: 1 |
I have a strict code I adhere to. First decide if I want to shoot it. If the answer is yes, then I shoot it.
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Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 44,384 Likes: 28
Freak of Nature
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Freak of Nature
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 44,384 Likes: 28 |
How do you count points at 300 yards
LUCK:::; When presistence, dedication, perspiration and preparation meet up with opportunity!!!
- - - - - - - -A government big enough to give you everything you want, is big enough to take everything you have. Thomas Jeferson - - - - - - - -
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Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 10,389 Likes: 150
Glad He Doesn’t Have One
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Glad He Doesn’t Have One
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 10,389 Likes: 150 |
I think the answer is a combination of both. Both arguments are true. If you go by rack score, you will high grade some 3-4 year olds. If you go by age you might kill 70% of your 4 year olds every year. Sooo come up with a score that meets your goals, and make sure that deer is the age you are comfortable with. But don't shoot and inferior rack buck just because he is old enough. Let that buck live and help your age structure.
That's my take on it. 130" 4 year olds is my goal. Hopefully I can stick to it. I haven't killed a 130" buck yet, but had quite a few on camera. And I've let a couple of ones walk that I thought were 120s. But I am getting an itchy finger, I can't lie.
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Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 19,240 Likes: 28
Old Mossy Horns
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Old Mossy Horns
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 19,240 Likes: 28 |
How do you count points at 300 yards
good question . i aint gonna look to long so he may shrink as i get closer but so far it aint worked that way . knock on wood . lol kinda like killing a spike for a doe ,,,, oh well .
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Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 29,171 Likes: 87
Dances With Weeds
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Dances With Weeds
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 29,171 Likes: 87 |
I think the answer is a combination of both. Both arguments are true. If you go by rack score, you will high grade some 3-4 year olds. If you go by age you might kill 70% of your 4 year olds every year. Sooo come up with a score that meets your goals, and make sure that deer is the age you are comfortable with. But don't shoot and inferior rack buck just because he is old enough. Let that buck live and help your age structure.
That's my take on it. 130" 4 year olds is my goal. Hopefully I can stick to it. I haven't killed a 130" buck yet, but had quite a few on camera. And I've let a couple of ones walk that I thought were 120s. But I am getting an itchy finger, I can't lie. 
Folks that know don't shoot old does........
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Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 440 Likes: 1
4 point
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4 point
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 440 Likes: 1 |
We'd have better age structure if everyone managed by "score" instead of age No,,,, I don't let a five year old 110 ,,, 120 walk . He's buger BingOOOOOOOOO!!! I don't know anyone setting requirements on score alone. A 5 yr old 5 pt may not score 100 or even 90. Harvest on age!!!!!!
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Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 440 Likes: 1
4 point
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4 point
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 440 Likes: 1 |
If I were looking to join a hunting club, when I see "8.. or 6 pts or better", IF the club is wanting better than average antler size, I know that the mgmt of the club hasn't a clue what they are doing in managing bucks or a deer herd for that matter. I'd never join a club that has solely a min point restriction!!! My club goes off of strictly age. We don't care if he's a 4 pt... if he's 4.5 years old, he meets requirements! All members in my club care nothing about shooting an immature buck. Hell, we have to encourage them to shoot a low scoring 5.5 yr old!! But it ain't like we don't see bucks... because we manage our bucks, WE SEE BUCKS!!!!!!
Last edited by Antlerfluke; 06/25/24 10:48 AM.
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