Is this buck over the hill?

[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