Some genetics

[boneaddict]

Filmed in 2013

[boneaddict]

2013.....

[boneaddict]

Filmed in 2014 within 5 feet of the same spot, give or take 6 inches

[boneaddict]

I filmed him a week earlier and had a fantastic stalk on him.  That photo is February this year.   Funny thing was, I was stalking buck just prior to that that I thought was him.  Here he is.   I would guess a son

[archery288]

Need to get that guy out of the gene pool.

[runamuk]

those are cool.

Ok why do people say need to get it out of the gene pool?  is it because only "true" trophy rack looking animals should be allowed to survive?  Because most the time I way prefer the critters with some character, the others are like stepford deer.

[206]

Incredible antlers, and also incredible that so many of these bucks survive the hunting seasons.

[boneaddict]

They say that Run, but then its a goal for many of us to remove the best out of the gene pool EVERY YEAR. 

This buck was filmed 200 yards away from that spot (background was where the previous pics were taken) in 2009.   Other than the missing eyeguards........he does have a bit different shape.  just adding for conversation

[elkoholic1]

awesome buck!! 

[MtnMuley]

Wow, great photo documentary on that guy and his kin.

[boneaddict]

I  am sure I got some video of him and some stills from 2012.  I need to check the files though.  If I find them I will update.  Shouldn't be too hard to find since I don't shoot much video

[fly4fish]

Hello Mr. Feburary!  Hope to see more growth out of him next year.   

You say you were stalking them. With a camera or weapon? 

[JackOfAllTrades]

There's a lot to be said for gene pool. Some waters are clearer than others.  I have hunted different areas over the years and have found distinct lines drawn, (one side of the creek/ridge vs the other side in some cases), Where body size and antler growth is often repeated through the lineage of bucks I've seen. 

I love character in the form of a good rack!    There must be girth and mass. If I can't get my hand and fingers all the way around, all the better. Pointy thingy's sticking out are a bonus.

-Steve

[boneaddict]

Yep that's Mr. February.    I was stalking with a camera.   Mass and bumpy things are some of my favorite things (to a Christmas tune)

[Rainier10]

 I have taken a few of those with the "crab claws" out of the gene pool.  I see them at long distance, large frame, good mass and can't figure out what the deal is with the crab claws.  By the time I get close enough to get a shot with my bow I am not even looking at the antlers anymore as I can appreciate the maturity of the deer at that point and just take the shot.

I noticed in the calendar you had a tendency for a few deer like this.

[boneaddict]

3x4s and crab claws, genetics I will see in certain pools for sure.

[MLBowhunting]

Cool pics for sure. 

[nwwanderer]

Same buck or father/son, what do you think?

[Rainier10]

3x4s and crab claws, genetics I will see in certain pools for sure.

You have way more history with these deer year after year.  Do you think they have the "crab claws" from youth to maturity?  Do they ever get bigger or they actually older deer that have regressed?  I would think if they were regressing the main frame would get smaller also.  Most of the deer that I have shot with the crab claws still have a great frame and good mass.

[boneaddict]

Once a crab always a crab usually, at least in 4 year olds on up, maybe even 3 year olds.    Generally when they regress I see them drop their g4s first, then mains get stubbier 

[Rainier10]

Once a crab always a crab usually, at least in 4 year olds on up, maybe even 3 year olds.    Generally when they regress I see them drop their g4s first, then mains get stubbier

Thanks.

[boneaddict]

Filmed a guy this week that looks almost identical as a buck I filmed in the same exact spot 4 years ago.   Must be dad and son.  You guys are going to think I’m breaking my rules for cal bucks.   Nope, different buck
While I’m on the subject, pretty sure I got a non typical I had in the calendar as a young buck 2 years ago.  He grew up.   

[bearhunter99]

As always, great pics Bone.  There is an area we hunt where pretty much every deer we have taken has had huge back forks and crab claws up front.

[Okanagan]

Bone, Thank you!

Really interesting stuff shown by your usual great photos!

I agree on the genetics.  I killed three big bucks on the same ridge over a period of six years.  The last one was so obviously a son of the first that you'd think that they were sheds from the same buck if it weren't for the skull plates. 

The middle buck was different.  He had a distinctive rack shape plus a cheater point.  Halfway down the migration route off of that ridge I killed a similar buck.  Then 9 miles in the opposite direction to the migration route, I killed a similar buck many years later on the next ridge mass over.  All three of those bucks had the same basic shape and mass distribution but the genetic clincher to me was a cheater point in exactly the same place on all three racks.  Two of the cheater points were even shaped the same. 

I'd line them up for photos but they are scattered between kids and grandkids far from me.   Yours are fabulously better anyway!