Score and Age this Illinois Buck

[SBlackburn]

I would like a little information on what you thought about this buck. From another picture I have, I know he has 4-5" brows and at least a 17" inside spread (could be wider). This buck is from Illinois, so its rack/body proportions may be a little deceiving if your not use to looking at deer from the midwest. What do you think about age and score? Is he a shooter? Thanks for the input.

[stevo15]

If he ain't a shooter then you are a patient man. That's a great deer.

[Buck Nasty]

Hard to tell, but he could go close to 140...I would like to see the hoss to try to put him in his place in a fight!!! One thing looks to be sure...he is a mature one!!

[Dean]

like an older (4.5+ yr) buck - his neck and brisket meld together like an older buck. By looking at the pic it looks like his main beams come out to the end of his nose or just past - usually a good indicator of long beams (23" - 24"). I can't see his brows or inside spread. G2's and G3" look good, maybe 7"-8"?? G4's are short....mass measurements 15" - 16" each side - but hard for me to tell the mass at his bases. So I guess it truly depends on what a "shooter" is in your book. My guess is that he is a high mid-130", maybe pushing 140"...but without other angles it is hard to tell without some room for error.

[sad_daddy1986]

definetly mature and i think at least 140" ... people might be getting a bit confused this aint a 160 lb deer

[aaber]

looks like a 2to3 year old for mid west deer

[rolling_rock_123]

I think that deer is well over 140. He is bigger than most people think. The body size of midwest deer are deceiving unless you have seen alot of them.In my opinion he will be close to 160.

[Buck Nasty]

Upon further review....i think it will easily top 140 and then some. Great Mass...Great Tine Length..etc..... I would love to have a chance to pop him!!!

[Swamprat]

I think he will be in the 145-150 range. The 250 pound body makes them antlers look smaller. Looks to be a mature buck, not sure if he would gain to much more next year.

I say harvest him unless you have something that big already and are waiting or know of something bigger and since it is Illinois you never know what might pop out.

[SBlackburn]

Originally Posted by Swamprat

I think he will be in the 145-150 range. The 250 pound body makes them antlers look smaller. Looks to be a mature buck, not sure if he would gain to much more next year.

I say harvest him unless you have something that big already and are waiting or know of something bigger and since it is Illinois you never know what might pop out.

I think you are right. Maybe I will have some more pictures of him and others on the cameras when I get there next week. Thanks for the input. Any others, I would like to know your thoughts - especially if you hunt the Midwest?

[hoppie]

If you go by his back half he looks kind of like a 3.5, but I am not familiar with judging midwest deer. He could be 4.5 or older, but definitely got some nice head gear. I'm no Lee Lakoskym, so I wouldn't pass on a 3.5 140+ deer.

[formula1]

This is an older buck (Note the Roman nose), probably 5 or older. I'd say he's high 140's to low 150's. I've seen quite a few Illinois bucks too. I would be slinging an arrow on this one.

[300 short mag]

138-142 3.5 years old

[JBird227]

What County is that in IL?

[SBlackburn]

Originally Posted by JBird227

What County is that in IL?

Calhoun Co. (Just south of Pike Co.)

[deermaster81]

let me come hunt with ya and I'll tell you exactly how much he scores.

[bowsmith]

If you get the chance Sean, shoot him. He is a great, mature buck. Looks like he's 4.5 years old, squared off body, but not getting the large swayed belly yet. Without seeing him from head on, I would put him in the 140s.

[POINTHUNTER]

if you will take a closer look you will notice this deer has a shorter snout and his chest and belly are fairly straight and parrallel to the ground, and have not started to sag as you would see in a 4.5 to 5.5 year old deer. he has great mass and length on his antler growth and from the looks of his heavy body, he has plenty of nutrition. let him walk man, let him breed. you will insure the progression of superior genes and could possibly see this animal put on 30 to 40 inches in the next two years on his antler growth and have a nice b/c deer. its what separates the men from the boys........if you can be patient you will reap the rewards.
3.5 years old and 130-140

[3d foam killer]

130 to 140 in. probally about 6 to 7 years old maybe 8

[mschw04]

I grew up in Iowa and hunted deer there many years.

I would consider that a shooter only in the last hour of the last day of the season. Take him to the processor on the opening day and you may feel a little regret after you see some big racks.

If this is your first deer hunt then take him and you will be off to a good start on you deer career!

Can you hunt there next year?

Next year he could have 10-15 more inches.

His G2s look less than 10", same for G3s. 3.5yo?

Yes.... I've been spoiled.

[SBlackburn]

Originally Posted by bowsmith

If you get the chance Sean, shoot him. He is a great, mature buck. Looks like he's 4.5 years old, squared off body, but not getting the large swayed belly yet. Without seeing him from head on, I would put him in the 140s.

Thanks Pat. I will let you know. I'm going to check the cameras when we get there this Saturday. You never know what might be out roaming this time of year.

[fulldraw74]

3.5 to 4.5 years.......140"

[Jim Thompson]

Originally Posted by 300 short mag

138-142 3.5 years old

Originally Posted by fulldraw74

3.5 to 4.5 years.......140"

yep and yep, prolly a 4 yr old and 140"

[shortround1]

Originally Posted by Buck Nasty

Hard to tell, but he could go close to 140...I would like to see the hoss to try to put him in his place in a fight!!! One thing looks to be sure...he is a mature one!!

i am with u buck, if it has any spread at all, it will be in the 140's.

[bucky]

If you take Mitchell T with you he will ground check him for you.We are going to dads land in Canada Wednesday.Good luck.

[jharrell]

That looks to be atleast a 150 to me. Huge body. Shooter in my book anyday.

[chuckn]

looks to be mid 140s 3.5 to 4.5 definitely not a shooter for Il. though in my opinion