Discussion thread of the day

[GR8atta2d]

Ok we've all seen Michael Hunsuckers Great Buck pics.

But I also recall a long post awhile back about shooting mature bucks. While this buck is genetically gifted and a trophy to any of us, he is surely not mature..I can't see him being above 3.5 and if he's that old he was born late.

So do Horns (antlers, for purests), forego age, once trophystatus is attained? Could this deer be world caliber(not world record, but recognizable in white-tail circles) in a year or two?

I remember quite a few of you, making age and maturity a truer barometer of success..than measurability.

[Germ]

I see him as at least 4.5. Look at the slope in his back. I really don't care I would still shoot him

[brucelanthier]

I would shoot him just to gain experience LOL .

[zubba]

I think in cases like this, the antlers take precedence over maturity the majority of the time. I believe even the most 'mature buck only' hunters would harvest a deer of this caliber if the opportunity presented itself. The risk you would be taking by letting this guy walk is more than most people are willing to take. Who knows if someone will take the animal, get hit by a car, poached, won't make the winter for some reason. Even though this buck may only be 3 1/2 years old, he is still a once inlifetime buck for the majority of the hunter.......even mature buck only hunters. JMO

[GR8atta2d]

ORIGINAL: brucelanthier

I would shoot him just to gain experience LOL .

We have a winner!!!!

[gplant]

ORIGINAL: brucelanthier

I would shoot him just to gain experience LOL .

Here we go.

[bawanajim]

ORIGINAL: brucelanthier

I would shoot him just to gain experience LOL .

You would gain no experience if you were in the wrong location. []
Q.D.M. its not about the horns (antlers)

[Talondale]

Well, I'm not a mature buck only hunter. I'm what Gr8trefered to asa wall hanger management hunter. So this buck definitely qualifies. If I had some HUGE ranch where my passing on this caliber buck insured it wouldn't be killed by any other human means and I had large numbers of nice caliber deer, maybe. But where's the fun in that? It seems a sad state where you've engineered things so that only 200" class deer get your heart pumping. I have to remind myselfwhile watching videosthat those 120" class bucks the "pros" are letting walk are what I'm looking for in my woods.

[HuntingBry]

ORIGINAL: brucelanthier

I would shoot him just to gain experience LOL .

Yes, but would you be as experienced a a guy that hunts all season and tags 14 does, 6 buttons, and 4 year and half old bucks?

As far as that buck in the pic goes, it would be a shame not to see what he could blossom into. Then again it would be a bigger shame not to see him on my wall.

[GMMAT]

I think in cases like this, the antlers take precedence over maturity the majority of the time.

Fair question....

It gets better when there's a 140 class 2.5 yr old in the same set with a 120 class 4.5 yr old.