This is tricky one. Coming up with a close number on this old timer should test your scoring skills.

I try to show these deer where you get a good overall view of the rack.

What do you think The Ghost Buck taped out at?

191"

I’m going with 188 again

You brought up a point we’ve noticed as well. I’m sure our ratio isn’t as dialed in as y’all’s, but our bigger antlered deer tend not to bust tines. Generally if they get to 160” or better they keep their antlers intact. Why do you think that is? Do you think others don’t challenge them? Or do you think the fights are short lived. I knew of a buck that we never got a pic of with another buck was around. Rattling would send him the opposite direction. More than 3 does around and he’d leave. We have yet to kill a “big” deer with broken tines or antlers. We have a ton of younger bucks with broken racks, but the bigger antlered buck are whole.

And your probably looking at close to 70” or more in just beams and spread on that buck.

Good Question WB.

When I get at a stopping point I'll give you my take on what might be the possible cause for what you are seeing

It is just a series guesses after a lot of observations over the years, but I do see some definite trends.

Merry Christmas Tejas!

Good Question WB.



Why do you see so many young deer broke?

The young guns all have something to prove.They also have thin antlers compared to the older deer.
There are probably more bucks in that age class as well. That is most likely the reason you see so many broke up young deer.

I believe bucks are at their prime at 4/5 years old. That is when I see the most antler damage from mature deer in general. Testosterone is probably as high as it gets during those years. Jet black hocks all the way to the hoof are common here on hard rutting bucks.

As they get older I see a shift to self-preservation if you will. Older bucks try to keep does well away from other suitors. Lockdown is a prime example of this.
I see the older deer will often time set up shop in a relatively small area to work the girls. The less he travels the fewer fights he will probably have to engage in.

By the time they get to six years old they have established a ranking. Their reputation allows them to buffalo a lot of young deer and bucks in their prime that could probably beat them in a fight. I see this all the time. Their past fights and reputation hold a lot of weight in the field up to a point.

Fields are a war zone. If you have a lot of fields and a good ratio you are going to have a lot of fighting on the green.
This is the last place an old buck wants his hot doe to visit.

In this neck of the brush it's a race to kill mature target deer before they break regardless of their size or age.

Yea sir, I have seen some knock down drag out fights. In fact, I don’t think a human could mimic the intensity or duration with a set of rattling antlers.
I still have a few bucks we’re trying to “save” for next season. We have a little over 3 weeks left of the season with not much deer hunting going on on our place. It’s just now trying to keep them happy and fed to keep them on our place. These could be really nice bucks next year. One is a 10 with a split G2, one is a 10 that’s missing a brow tine. We aren’t sure if it’s broke, or never grew. He still looks decent. Then we have an 8 we were going to take until he came by the stand and if given another year, he should be a very nice scoring 8 for down here.
All but the 10 or technically 9pt without the brow are all intact. All look run down as heck right now too. Peanuts are my feed of choice, mainly because it’s free. I only put out corn for the carbs during the rut. Protein (peanuts) the rest of the year.
Now these aren’t y’all’s deer, but these are definitely trophies for here.

Merry Christmas

James you are probably on to something with that theory about the bucks

So what did that ghost buck score?

188 & change

Good Guess T67 !

Yep,good guess T67 missed again within 2 1/2" great buck,what were the beams?I gave them 27"?

James you busy hunting deer?
Take a vacation?

Hope you are good whatever you have been up to

Thanks BT!

There is a lot going on around here this time of the year.

There is a lot going on in the brush as well.


Here is a buck standing his ground on the field of battle.

I figured you were so busy with the deer hunting that you didn't have time to post

On The Hunt

Young Gun