Is this buck over the hill?

[Jonathan_S]

Title says it all.  This was from last August.

How old was he then?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LS2L7bqCeOg&feature=youtu.be

[bowhunterforever]

Have any more pics of him?

[Jonathan_S]

Yeah another from the next week

[Jonathan_S]

Fairly thick bases, since we was about to peel velvet   

[KFhunter]

looks pregger


got more pics?  That belly looks swollen.




looks like he might be sickly causing him to look older than it really is.

[Jonathan_S]

Here's one when he was hitting that licking branch at night.

His back legs look so scrawny and he's kind of sway-backed

[Jonathan_S]

Well anyway, here's one that's definitely healthy that I want to meet next September 

[KFhunter]

 


worthy prize there,  but I dunno if you're up to a buck that size judging by your wife's dog in the avatar you got 

[Jonathan_S]

And I know I've posted this buck before but I can't stop looking at him...and he definitely isn't over the hill yet.

He is target #1

[KFhunter]

That one might just kick the little doggy off the avatar huh

[Jonathan_S]

worthy prize there,  but I dunno if you're up to a buck that size judging by your wife's dog in the avatar you got 

Yep, apparently little Delia isn't enough of an avatar when it comes to measuring my manhood against pilgrims.

 

[jason stevens]

Your question was how old I'm gonna say five or six.

[huntnnw]

he could be...long face, swayed back and sagging gut..Id say minimum 6 or older

[Jonathan_S]

he could be...long face, swayed back and sagging gut..Id say minimum 6 or older

You think next year he's going to be quite a bit smaller?

[buckfvr]

If you get the chance, take him.........he will continue down til death.  He is a true warrior, has survived many winters.............I think hes more like 8 1/2.  If you get him, keep his lower jaw to age it.

I tried for a stud buck here for 3 years, turns out first year he was peaked, down the next, and down again the year I killed him and he was aged at 8 1/2.  I have pics of him from each year and it appears he lost apprx 10 to 15 inches by 7 1/2 and 20ish by 8 1/2.........bottom teeth were to the gum line.

To me he may be older yet, as he doesnt look as vital as the one I shot.  He may have very worn teeth.  That is what starts the end.....cant forage on the more woody diet they survive on in the winter.

[Jonathan_S]

He didn't show up on this camera until August, if I can pattern him, I'll go for it.

He was pretty diurnal and I understand that tends to increase as bucks decline in age.

[huntnnw]

thats a hard one to predict...alot will depend on how he comes out of winter and the quality feed he has till antlers stop growing. I have seen bucks go down hill and the following year blow up!  My largest buck i have ever killed put his biggest antlers on at 8 1/2

[Jonathan_S]

thats a hard one to predict...alot will depend on how he comes out of winter and the quality feed he has till antlers stop growing. I have seen bucks go down hill and the following year blow up!  My largest buck i have ever killed put his biggest antlers on at 8 1/2

That's interesting.  So even aging bucks can rebound if food is sufficient, I didn't know that but it makes sense.  When I get home I'll post a picture showing his width, it's on the good/average side.

I would really like to find his sheds this spring.  I hope the cats don't get him.

[buckfvr]

I think rebounding would be the exception rather than the rule...........that old stud looks like hes past the point of no return to me.   

[Jonathan_S]

I'd still be happy to stick him.  I honestly didn't notice how old he looked until this week when I started looking through last years pictures.  I glazed over him at first because he's not very big.

Buckfvr, Huntnnw:  do either of you have any tips for hunting old bucks like this?  I know they're all individuals but it would seem that they would develop weaknesses as they age since they cannot feed as well