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Author Topic: Is he old and going downhill???  (Read 3412 times)

Offline wastickslinger

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Is he old and going downhill???
« on: December 20, 2008, 01:38:04 PM »
Few from the frigid morning!

 think I have pictures of this buck last year and he was a few inches wider, same mass up top, and pinchers.  I got a feeling it is an older deer headed down hill. I could be wrong though. Any thoughts.

Offline wastickslinger

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Re: Is he old and going downhill???
« Reply #1 on: December 20, 2008, 01:42:44 PM »
This is when I first spotted them. The 4 point on the right was the best on eof the group. He slipped over the hill ahead of his clan as I closed the distance. Never got a good shot of him. I'm sure I will see them agian ;)

Offline wastickslinger

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Re: Is he old and going downhill???
« Reply #2 on: December 20, 2008, 01:46:58 PM »
this one was weird!!!
Pictured cropped. They were taken at about 400 yards. I never got a good clear shot of him.

Offline wastickslinger

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Re: Is he old and going downhill???
« Reply #3 on: December 20, 2008, 01:50:07 PM »
one more pose of the big 3 point. I liked this shot.

Offline boneaddict

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Re: Is he old and going downhill???
« Reply #4 on: December 20, 2008, 02:10:41 PM »
There are deer out there. ;)   YES he looks to be going downhill.  All teh classic characteristics in his bones.  COOL!

Offline wastickslinger

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Re: Is he old and going downhill???
« Reply #5 on: December 20, 2008, 02:13:33 PM »
Same buck, last year????

Offline DOUBLELUNG

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Re: Is he old and going downhill???
« Reply #6 on: December 20, 2008, 02:44:02 PM »
Sure could be a decliner. 

If not, and it is the same deer, could be last winter was tougher than the one before.  I've seen mule deer antler growth start as early as the second week of April, and as late as early May.  When body condition is poor, antler growth starts later and and growth is slower, causing smaller racks.  Also why bucks on chronically overbrowsed winter ranges grow smaller antlers. 
As long as we have the habitat, we can argue forever about who gets to kill what and when.  No habitat = no game.

Offline 270Shooter

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Re: Is he old and going downhill???
« Reply #7 on: December 20, 2008, 02:47:22 PM »
Nice pics ;). Looks like the same buck to me, just not as wide this year. :twocents:

Offline wastickslinger

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Re: Is he old and going downhill???
« Reply #8 on: December 20, 2008, 03:05:31 PM »
Sure could be a decliner. 

If not, and it is the same deer, could be last winter was tougher than the one before.  I've seen mule deer antler growth start as early as the second week of April, and as late as early May.  When body condition is poor, antler growth starts later and and growth is slower, causing smaller racks.  Also why bucks on chronically overbrowsed winter ranges grow smaller antlers. 

Makes Sense for most areas. Only thing is that there are no tough winters where these guys hang out. Most snow they see at a time is a few inches.

Offline robb92

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Re: Is he old and going downhill???
« Reply #9 on: December 20, 2008, 03:13:09 PM »
Still a great buck, great pictures!!!!
"ITS NOT WHAT THE WISE MAN SAYS BUT WHAT THE WISE MAN DOES IN HIS LIFE THAT MATTERS"


Offline wastickslinger

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Re: Is he old and going downhill???
« Reply #10 on: December 20, 2008, 03:20:07 PM »
There are deer out there. ;)   YES he looks to be going downhill.  All teh classic characteristics in his bones.  COOL!

I know I was suprised too.  :chuckle:

 


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