Big Buck Located!

[rappstar]

Well, i've finally found the buck i'd like to harvest.  This deer is possibly the biggest i've ever seen on the hoof.  he is an old deer, 3.5+ years old.  As ususal, this is the type of deer you only see once b/c they are so darn smart!

I'm going after him in the next week or two with my new recurve bow.  I usually hunt out of a tree; but the best chance I have with this guy will be from the ground...no good trees to hang a stand.  

I need some confidence that a ground blind will work!  I understand wind, movement and so forth.  Send some pics of big bucks shot from the ground!  Also, any quick/dirty ground blind plans are welcome!

[Bill Carlsen]

Me, too, Jeremy. My wife and I are going out in about an hour. My camera picked up this guy last week. We have snow on the ground, I have snow camo and a ground blind about 18 yards from where this guy is standing. Knowing that there are deer like this running around on your hunting area keeps the cold afternoons a bit warmer when you are on stand.

 

Then there is his little brother.

 

[Shawn Leonard]

Bill and the first one looks to be no more than a 3.5 year old, still young in the face. Imagine if ya get next season!! Shawn

[bowdude]

3-D groundblinds.  Even other hunters don't recognize them as a blind.  You have to build it from the stuff on site.  Imagine your blind walls being about 4 yards thick, but space to walk between the brush.  You "plant" limbs at intervals that will break you up and hide you as a deer would walk by, leaving shooting lanes where you want them.  Works great on public.  People do not realize it is a blind.

[Bill Carlsen]

Shaun: We just bought this property and have not yet  been able to "get into it" to see what is what and where the deer hang out and travel. We are bringing them small bags of apple drops (legal here) and have cameras set up just to see what kind of critters travel our property (about 25 acres). We're excited because so far we have pics of at least 8 different bucks and we are pretty sure they are all alive and well. The guns finish tomorrow and we have until the 15th to tag one. I really want Laura to do it. I got a doe and  a moose this year so I'm even giving Laura the best stands we have at this time. I shot a 152" buck about 1/2 mile from this pic a few years ago and the antlers are quite similar. As the snow lingers the amount of sign we are seeing is just, well, heartwarming.  If one of us doesn't get this guy this week there will be a food plot not too far away to tempt him to return...we have plans.

[Bowmania]

I'd like to know why you think he's 3.5 years old.  There's no real way to tell on wild deer that I know of except the jaw bone.  

Years ago, I saw two penned deer - brothers - that I would have bet they were 3.5.  The owner told me 1.5.  He said they'd score 122 to 123.

[rappstar]

you obviously can't know for sure without examining the jaw bone.  

you also can't age a deer by looking at its rack.  some 2.5 year old deer will have a giant rack.

once a deer goes from 2.5 to 3.5 years old, they are considered "mature" in the world of deer biology and management.  most 2.5 year old deer don't make it to 3.5 due to hunting, cars and other natural causes.

here are some good "on the hoof" indicators (other than the rack makeup)

1.  long sloping nose - a 3.5 year or older deer will have a long sloping nose.  longer than you normally see b/c you normally don't see 3.5 year old deer.  if you have some pics of a 2.5 year old that you shot and a 3.5 year old you shot...take a look and you'll see.

2.  stomach line - a 2.5 year old deer will have a race horse look to them.  the 3.5 year old will have a more straight line from their front leg to the back leg (along their belly) - i hope i explained that right!  Almost like a pot belly.

3.  body posture - 3.5 year old deer will move like he has arthritis.  Their movement is more stiff.  and they are very patient and deliberate with their movement.  they do things a lot slower than a 2.5 year old buck.

hope this helps!

[Bonebuster]

With experience, in good light you can usually estimate if a buck is fully mature. Beyond 4 1/2
years old it gets more difficult to pinpoint exact age. I agree with Shawn, because the photo is so good, one look at his face and I would say he is 3 1/2. And indeed, he is gonna be a big woods brute.

My advice is not to make too many noticeable changes on the ground, where you intend to hunt.
And do everything possible not to leave any human scent. I believe more big bucks are spooked by scent we leave behind than we realize.

Hunting on the ground is the ultimate. You will learn alot. Good luck.

[Bill Carlsen]

The 152" buck I referred to shooting dressed at 207# and had 11 points. His shed from the year before would have made him an 8 pointer. The State took a tooth from his lower jaw and aged him at 7.5 and he wasn't moving slowly or acting like he had arthritis. I had been chasing him for four years and when I finally got him I was surprised at how little gray he had on him. We was very healthy and at 7.5 has the best rack of his life. Go figure!