shooter? 6 point freak
09-22-2006, 06:56 PM
#21
Boone & Crockett
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 10,679
RE: shooter? 6 point freak
Age can effect a buck’s antlers. Whitetailed deer do not achieve maturity until they are 5 to 8 years of age. Studies have demonstrated the average buck achieves only about 10 percent of his potential antler development by age 1.5 years (when he completes his first set of antlers as an 18-month-old buck).
It has also been able to demonstrate that there is little relationship between the first year antlers and the antler development a buck will have when he reaches the mature age classes of 5 years or older. This means a spike-antlered buck has a good chance of becoming a trophy-quality adult buck. By the time a buck has completed his second set of antlers he still only has achieved only 25-35 percent of his potential antler development.
At 3 years of age. A buck still only has achieved about 50 percent of his potential antler quality. It is not until 5 years of age that most bucks approach their full antler potential, and often, antlers don’t reach their maximum size until 7 or 8 years of age (for captive deer raised under ideal conditions).
It has also been able to demonstrate that there is little relationship between the first year antlers and the antler development a buck will have when he reaches the mature age classes of 5 years or older. This means a spike-antlered buck has a good chance of becoming a trophy-quality adult buck. By the time a buck has completed his second set of antlers he still only has achieved only 25-35 percent of his potential antler development.
At 3 years of age. A buck still only has achieved about 50 percent of his potential antler quality. It is not until 5 years of age that most bucks approach their full antler potential, and often, antlers don’t reach their maximum size until 7 or 8 years of age (for captive deer raised under ideal conditions).
A 2.5 year old deer having 8 points or more is by no means the norm across the country but rather the exception. If a 2.5 year old deer does have 8 points or more it will likely be short tined and narrow. If this deer in the pics is this young he has a heck of a lot of potential.
09-23-2006, 11:08 AM
#27
Join Date: Sep 2006
Posts: 42
RE: shooter? 6 point freak
depend on how much hunting pressure you have in your area most weekend warroirs will shoot this buck and you will not see him again if you have faith that he will remain unharmed in your area let him walk i estimate this deer is only1 to 1.5 years i think this is only his 2nd rack
