HSO Deer Photo's

[PerchJrkr]

Haha. That buck isnt on the decline, hate to break it to ya. Probably a 4.5, MAYBE 5.5 year old deer. He had a couple good years left to grow. Unless you're somewhere wih no decent food sources. Not trying to detract from your deer, its a great buck.

[Deet]

Haha. That buck isnt on the decline, hate to break it to ya. Probably a 4.5, MAYBE 5.5 year old deer. He had a couple good years left to grow. Unless you're somewhere wih no decent food sources. Not trying to detract from your deer, its a great buck.

Wow, you can tell that from just two pictures? Impressive. The shooter must have clouded judgement from seeing/touching/handling it in person.

[umichjesse]

Haha. That buck isnt on the decline, hate to break it to ya. Probably a 4.5, MAYBE 5.5 year old deer. He had a couple good years left to grow. Unless you're somewhere wih no decent food sources. Not trying to detract from your deer, its a great buck.

I know that deer can look remarkably similar, so I am not positive, but I almost sure that I have been seeing this deer for the last 4 years and I would have been proud to shoot him 3 years ago. He was just a small bodied deer. I drug him out of the woods with one hand without breaking a sweat. You very well could be right though. Maybe this is a different deer. I am not challenging your opinion, I am just curious. What do you see that makes you think he is still growing? I have never been great a judging deer past 3 years old. Truth is, I probably haven't seen many beside those that live here in the cities.

[fr0sty]

Do you have the lower jaw still? If so, post some pics of the molars.

[PerchJrkr]

Its pretty amazing how much deer can change from year to year. Also, some areas have characteristics that will make all the bucks look very similar (which is what you have going on there by the looks of it) I personally look at the bases on this deer and see, more than likely, a 4.5 year old deer. You are in a good area by the looks of it. My thought is he would have peaked close to 200". I picked up sheds from a deer several years ago (well one side) and it was literally bigger than a beer can and just a club. About 10" with several stickers off it. Usually when a deer is on the decline you see A)tons more mass, b)JUNK. Seems to be the trend anyway.

[CANOPY SAM]

A good friend of mine from Grand Rapids, who's personally taken numerous old, trophy deer, sees similar characteristics as the animals age.

Often, he sees main beams widening further out, with less and less curl back in. Tines that are progressively shortening, and appear shorter, and I guess stunted? More solid mass at the bases, and more sticker junk at the bases as well. Overall, the racks just look older, and less healthy...for lack of a better way to say it?

I think too that older deer just simply "look" older. Much more gray, or even black. Not much for rich brown hair left. Kinda gnarly and grizzled like an old bachelor farmer. I think they used to say, "Long in the tooth"? Although I don't think that phrase had anything to do with describing teeth.

The second deer pic above, the one with the Golden Retriever looking on, that deer kinda looks to be a little "long in the tooth". They sure all look like great trophy deer though. Now I'm feeling the envy well back up again.

[JackPineGuy]

whats the word from the herd?

[Quackaddict9]

I don't think umichjesse really cares how old they are anyway but had to critcize him by "mis-aging" the nice deer he shot. He is not the Lakosky's where they pass up 5 1/2-6 1/2 year old bucks. A nice rack like that will make me shoot it anyway.

Nice bucks, pretty landscape as well...love these hills and woods and looks like there is good food sources!

[gloomiseye]

Shot this one back on 11-23. Scored 140", not the biggest out there but he was an old buck that had few teeth left.

[shortfatguy]

Nice bow buck Gloom

[paceman]

Beautiful buck gloomisey. No doubt I would have shot him as well. Congratulations!

[CANOPY SAM]

Gloomis. Are pic one, and pic two of the same deer?

And what's going on with that right brow tine? Kinda cool!

[gloomiseye]

Thanks guys! Yes all pics are of the same buck. He must have damaged his brow in velvet, surprised he didn't break it clean off!

[mrklean]

great lookin buck

[gloomiseye]

Thanks! Sure love Iowa in the fall, wish we had Minnesota's fishing in the spring and summer though!

[DitchPickle13]

Here's my 10 point bow kill from the last day of November for anyone else out there still thinking about hunting in April.

[hugonian1]

That is a dandy buck.

Congrats.

[DitchPickle13]

Thanks; waited a long time for one like that guy!

[paceman]

Wow! That is a great looking buck Ditchpickle! Congratulations! Great photos!

[FearNoFish]

This is the Buck I harvested last fall. The Taxidermist called last night and he is ready for pick-up.

[paceman]

Should be a nice looking mount Fearnofish. Nice and wide! Congratulations!

[ZachD]

Mine I got last year 30 mins after shooting hours public land in a wildlife refuge

[certified jumbo]

Very nice public land buck. Congrats.

[ZachD]

Thanks only took me 4 some hours to drag it out from my spot woofta that sucked

[hunter322]

Your a sissy ZachD!