Hunting Washington Forum

Big Game Hunting => Deer Hunting => Topic started by: Jonathan_S on February 25, 2014, 07:42:59 PM

Title: Is this buck over the hill?
Post by: Jonathan_S on February 25, 2014, 07:42:59 PM: Title says it all. This was from last August.

How old was he then?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LS2L7bqCeOg&feature=youtu.be (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LS2L7bqCeOg&feature=youtu.be)
Title: Re: Is this buck over the hill?
Post by: bowhunterforever on February 25, 2014, 08:00:38 PM: Have any more pics of him?
Title: Re: Is this buck over the hill?
Post by: Jonathan_S on February 25, 2014, 08:21:02 PM: Yeah another from the next week
Title: Re: Is this buck over the hill?
Post by: Jonathan_S on February 25, 2014, 08:23:29 PM: Fairly thick bases, since we was about to peel velvet :dunno:
Title: Re: Is this buck over the hill?
Post by: KFhunter on February 25, 2014, 08:23:41 PM: looks pregger

got more pics? That belly looks swollen.

looks like he might be sickly causing him to look older than it really is.
Title: Re: Is this buck over the hill?
Post by: Jonathan_S on February 25, 2014, 08:28:25 PM: 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
Title: Re: Is this buck over the hill?
Post by: Jonathan_S on February 25, 2014, 08:31:21 PM: Well anyway, here's one that's definitely healthy that I want to meet next September :drool:
Title: Re: Is this buck over the hill?
Post by: KFhunter on February 25, 2014, 08:32:26 PM: :tup:

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 :chuckle:
Title: Re: Is this buck over the hill?
Post by: Jonathan_S on February 25, 2014, 08:38:06 PM: 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
Title: Re: Is this buck over the hill?
Post by: KFhunter on February 25, 2014, 08:39:11 PM: That one might just kick the little doggy off the avatar huh
Title: Re: Is this buck over the hill?
Post by: Jonathan_S on February 25, 2014, 08:39:26 PM: Quote from: KFhunter on February 25, 2014, 08:32:26 PM
:tup:

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 :chuckle:

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

:chuckle:
Title: Re: Is this buck over the hill?
Post by: jason stevens on February 25, 2014, 09:05:41 PM: Your question was how old I'm gonna say five or six.
Title: Re: Is this buck over the hill?
Post by: huntnnw on February 26, 2014, 12:49:47 AM: he could be...long face, swayed back and sagging gut..Id say minimum 6 or older
Title: Re: Is this buck over the hill?
Post by: Jonathan_S on February 26, 2014, 08:11:23 AM: Quote from: huntnnw on February 26, 2014, 12:49:47 AM
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?
Title: Re: Is this buck over the hill?
Post by: buckfvr on February 26, 2014, 08:18:39 AM: 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.
Title: Re: Is this buck over the hill?
Post by: Jonathan_S on February 26, 2014, 08:33:33 AM: 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.
Title: Re: Is this buck over the hill?
Post by: huntnnw on February 27, 2014, 12:02:52 AM: 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
Title: Re: Is this buck over the hill?
Post by: Jonathan_S on February 27, 2014, 08:01:13 AM: Quote from: huntnnw on February 27, 2014, 12:02:52 AM
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.
Title: Re: Is this buck over the hill?
Post by: buckfvr on February 27, 2014, 08:10:32 AM: 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. :twocents:
Title: Re: Is this buck over the hill?
Post by: Jonathan_S on February 27, 2014, 08:26:58 AM: 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 :dunno: