3.5 yo bucks

[Sixes]

It's pretty accurate, plus or minus a couple of years.

That is the best way that I have heard it explained.

Way too many video watchers on here that watch the shows from the Midwest and try to compare Georgia deer to those out there.

A very, very small percentage of GA bucks will hit 130 as a 3 year old, most won't at 5-6.

When someone says they killed a 140 inch 3 year old, I immediately subtract 10-12 inches and add 1-3 years to the age.

 

[Mark K]

That is the best way that I have heard it explained.

Way too many video watchers on here that watch the shows from the Midwest and try to compare Georgia deer to those out there.

A very, very small percentage of GA bucks will hit 130 as a 3 year old, most won't at 5-6.

When someone says they killed a 140 inch 3 year old, I immediately subtract 10-12 inches and add 1-3 years to the age.

Just curious how old and a rough guess on the score of this deer.

 

[Mark K]

We’ve been watching him since Summer and have seen him a couple of times from the stand.
As far as 3.5 being the age to kill them, I think that’s when most start showing off potential and they’re still fairly reliable of sightings during your normal daylight hours.(I have the above buck at that same location yesterday at 2:30pm)
Once they hit that 4.5 age, they start really becoming a pain in the butt about showing off during the daylight. They seem to realize predominant winds and bed and cruise with that to their advantage...which sometimes makes it tough for hunters.
Not every deer that makes it past 3.5 is going to have a “trophy” rack. But, you’ll never know for sure by shooting them before they ever reach their potential.

 

[Sixes]

You posted a buck that very much looks to be 3.5 and around 130, but you fail to mention what area of the state. It looks to be what I call quail county, where most of the farms are big and full of AG fields and unlimited amounts of food. Where is this buck? Worth, Lee, Macon, one of the counties west of 75 and bordering the Flint?

I know you are just trying to argue and I never said it was impossible to grow them that big, but it's not common in the state of Georgia. If you are hunting in the area that it appears that you are, then you need to consider the whole state and understand that you are blessed to hunt in what is probably the best, most fertile land in Georgia.(With the exception of the Chattahoochee River from 285 to Forsyth county, that area has as good of genetics of anywhere in the state or really, the US)

 

[Mark K]

You COMPLETELY misread. I was just wanting your expert opinion on the age. We also guess at 3 just based on the rack. His body almost says 2. He looks good coming in, then when you see the entire deer you realize he is very young.
And yes, as stated in other threads I am blessed, lucky, honored, etc to hunt where I do.

And I do realize not everywhere in the State has the same quality of deer we have in SWGA. But age is age wherever you hunt. Unless they’re allowed to “grow” then you never know what you could possibly have.

And like you also stated, not every deer we have will hit that. We have some “target” deer that are 5.5+ and might go 120’s...maybe.

 

[Mark K]

Now look at that pic, and tell me what you think of his “ankle”. He doesn’t limp or have a unsteady gait when walking.

 

[Sixes]

You COMPLETELY misread. I was just wanting your expert opinion on the age. We also guess at 3 just based on the rack. His body almost says 2. He looks good coming in, then when you see the entire deer you realize he is very young.
And yes, as stated in other threads I am blessed, lucky, honored, etc to hunt where I do.

And I do realize not everywhere in the State has the same quality of deer we have in SWGA. But age is age wherever you hunt. Unless they’re allowed to “grow” then you never know what you could possibly have.

And like you also stated, not every deer we have will hit that. We have some “target” deer that are 5.5+ and might go 120’s...maybe.

Looking at that buck with the rack covered up and he does look 2, but I would have to think he is one of those bucks that are born really late and his body has not developed with his age. One of those fawns born in September/October.

We had a buck in Troup that was always undersized in body but grew a very big rack. He weighed probably 20-30 pounds less than equivalent aged bucks.

 

[Sixes]

Now look at that pic, and tell me what you think of his “ankle”. He doesn’t limp or have a unsteady gait when walking.

I didn't notice the club foot. Always been like that? Either broke as a fawn or snake bit would be my guess.

 

[Mark K]

Pretty much like that in every pic we have. And I’ll be honest, I didn’t even pay attention when he came in while on the stand. That rack sorta grabs your attention. He has some serious potential. So far everyone has held off including our neighbors we talk to about what deer are “off limits” this year. Been working good so far. Some years they kill the “targets” and some years we do. But we do communicate so neither side is wasting time trying to find them when they disappear.

 

[bubbafowler]

There are other studies out there that show that some bucks have their full frame by 3 and won't add much more than 5 inches of mass no matter how old they get. Why take the risk? If i'm happy with him i'll shoot him. The end. If i had 800 acres fenced and money to beef them up i would. If i had thousands of acres to manage i would. I don't. I have 4 farms 100-155 acres. Several surrounded by clubs. I'll let deer walk. But i'll also shoot one if it tickles my fancy. Not everyone has access to manage their herd.

 

[DynamicDennis]

I shot a 3-1/2 year old 7 pt yesterday. Weighed 188 pds. 4 on one side with no brow. 3 on other side with brow. About 11-12 in wide. I consider it a cull. Plus I needed a nice cape, and got a bunch of good meat

 

[furtaker]

There has been more than one booner killed in Georgia that was jawbone estimated to be 3.5yo.

 

[kevan tyler]

Yes it can, and yes there are deer in that age class on public land. They seem more lIke ghost though. They definitely didn't get that old from being easy to kill or easy to get to. And for the most part when they do get killed its a quite affair.

Brother killed a 7 year old spike on Redlands 12 inch spikes

 

[gma1320]

Brother killed a 7 year old spike on Redlands 12 inch spikes

Yes sir in 2013 i killed a 4 pointer on paulding Forest which had an 11 inch spread and was aged at over 9 years old. Had just a few nubs ledt for teeth.

 

[gma1320]

Just curious how old and a rough guess on the score of this deer.
View attachment 988883View attachment 988884

He looks to be 2.5

 

[davidhelmly]

I like to kill a big buck, but I think social media has put to much emphasis on horn porn. Did your great grandpa not shoot a 120 inch buck cause it wasn’t only enough? no. He strapped that thing to the front of station Wagon and took a vintage pic we all talk about. Just enjoy the woods my friends how ever you see fit.
that’s why I hunt public only. I don’t have winey club members and rules and expectations. I hunt, and kill if I want. If don’t want to kill a buck, I don’t. Nobody tells me what to do, but the law

What does any of that have to do with the OP question? ?‍

 

[Mark K]

There are other studies out there that show that some bucks have their full frame by 3 and won't add much more than 5 inches of mass no matter how old they get. Why take the risk? If i'm happy with him i'll shoot him. The end. If i had 800 acres fenced and money to beef them up i would. If i had thousands of acres to manage i would. I don't. I have 4 farms 100-155 acres. Several surrounded by clubs. I'll let deer walk. But i'll also shoot one if it tickles my fancy. Not everyone has access to manage their herd.

You have list or reference to those studies. I’ve never seen anything like that and would like to see it. Had some kid tell me a deer starts on the downhill slide after 3. The studies I find on google state they actually don’t hit true potential until 5-8 depending on location...at 3 they aren’t even 80% of their full potential. Can’t find anything about the 3.5.

 

[bubbafowler]

You have list or reference to those studies. I’ve never seen anything like that and would like to see it. Had some kid tell me a deer starts on the downhill slide after 3. The studies I find on google state they actually don’t hit true potential until 5-8 depending on location...at 3 they aren’t even 80% of their full potential. Can’t find anything about the 3.5.

it was in a buckmasters magazine less than 2 years ago. Lemme dig around this week. and see if it's one the wife didn't throw away. I agree that most don't reach full potential until then but this article made a compelling argument with photo references. But scientific studies are just numbers and i can skew numbers to show about anything i want them to show.

 

[spurrs and racks]

" Have killed one that was 7.5 and two that were 5.5+. The oldest buck was also the smallest in both rack and stature. He had gone downhill significantly the prior two years "

This goes against everything I have learned. Unless he was highly parasitic, or had severe injury.

 

[spurrs and racks]

Just curious how old and a rough guess on the score of this deer.
View attachment 988883View attachment 988884

this buck is not as old as you think