Persistence Pays - BIG Westside Blacktail

[Justin C.]

Anyway, I think this guy is OLD. Thick bases, grey face, hooves were very worn, teeth were worn, etc.  All we could manage to pack out was the front and hind quarters, back-straps, and big chunks of trim- and of course the head.  The 4 quarters and backstraps weighed 90lbs at the butcher- so I'm sure he was pushing 200 on the hoof.  Any suggestion fro trying to age?  If he is the old papa of the area- theres bound to be some of his kiddlins with bigger racks in the wood

Like was already mentioned you need the bottom jaw. If you send  in one of the middle teeth to the game department I think they can age it for you. The place we hunt on the west side requires that you leave a tooth for them to send in.

[ruttnbuck]

beautiful buck thats the kind of buck that go on walls , congrats

[jae]

Great Buck, Congratulations!

[Dansk]

Good buck.

Not trying to flame or anything, but it sounds like you left the barrel. If that buck was pushing 200 lbs live weight then you should have been able to bring the whole thing out.

You are right...we left the rib cage and spine, and unfortunately that's the sad part.  I couldn't hang it overnight- wasn't prepared too, as I have never been in that situation (lesson learned!).  The critters got inside the cavity and had a nice midnight snack.  I did leave the hide on, so after skinning early the next morning, we took the quarters and big cuts, then trimmed what we could from the outside of the barrel and neck and stayed away from anything that the coyote or whatever it was got into.   I didn't want to use the rib meat or anything that could be tainted, so we just did the absolute best we could and then left the rest of the carcass.

[billythekidrock]

Good buck.

Not trying to flame or anything, but it sounds like you left the barrel. If that buck was pushing 200 lbs live weight then you should have been able to bring the whole thing out.

You are right...we left the rib cage and spine, and unfortunately that's the sad part.  I couldn't hang it overnight- wasn't prepared too, as I have never been in that situation (lesson learned!).  The critters got inside the cavity and had a nice midnight snack.  I did leave the hide on, so after skinning early the next morning, we took the quarters and big cuts, then trimmed what we could from the outside of the barrel and neck and stayed away from anything that the coyote or whatever it was got into.   I didn't want to use the rib meat or anything that could be tainted, so we just did the absolute best we could and then left the rest of the carcass.

Guess you were lucky it wasn't a skunk.   

[Dansk]

BTKR - That's a good one  - I'm laughing while I type .  ...honestly though, that DID cross my mind!

[billythekidrock]

Or even worse...it could have been a skunk that decided to sleep inside and surprise you.

Ok..too far.

[Gobble]

Not sure where to start... I guess it started 5 years ago after reading Blacktail Tactics II. 

I work with the authors (Boyd Iverson) brother Derek, I just bought a limited edition autographed copy for my dads b-day. He enjoyed the book alot.

Great Buck!

[bigv518]

Kudos nice job! Did you do the I told ya so dance 4 your wife? lol

[Palmer]

I found a website on aging deer by the teeth.   I think that by 7 the molers are warn completely.  My friend had one last year with the molers down to the gums and the taxidermists aged it at more than 7 years old.  The beast was probably around 250 #.

Nice Buck.

[Palmer]

http://www.kerrlake.com/deer/teeth.htm

Website for aging deer.  At 9 years old the molars are warn down to the gum line.  About the only areas you'll find deer older than 5 are on private property.