I think he is the same deer for these reasons:
(1) He is the biggest in our relatively small woods,is roamingthe same general area, and was seen the last week of last year. This is definitely not the rut or pre-rut where we hunt,so he isn't likely to besome "roaming deer."
(2) I didn't post some other pictures that seem clearer on identifying marks, like a little crab claw on the front right antler.
So I'm not 100%, but I've convinced myself, and I guess that's what counts.
Thanks for all the comments. These pics make me want to get out of this damn
office on this beautiful fall day and get in the woods. Gotta do the Tricker Treat thing with my girls tonite though.[8D]