We used to have a lot of basket racks at our farm. They just never got much bigger spread wise or much bigger then an 8 point. Several years ago we decided to try to eliminate that genetic pool. This has allowed for better bucks to move into the area and produce a better genetic pool. It has taken this a few years to happen but my fried that hunts the farm says that the bucks have almost doubled in antler size this year.

Some may disagree with this method, but this was suggested to me by as acquaintance who is a biologist for the Dept of Conservation. It has seemed to work. To bad I can’t hunt my home ground till my wife is done with Physician Assistant School out here in New York.

We used to shoot those every year. The last two years we quit shooting any bucks unless they were a throphy. Now we have alot of 3.5 to 4.5 year old deer, and yes they're racks are impressive, very very impressive. We just had to let them grow up!

PRACTICE....PRACTICE....PRACTICE......SUCCESS!

rformani...What do you base your opinion on to make such a strong assumption that these bucks should be shot and not let walk so they can mature into potential trophy deer?

I don't believe you can properly evaluate a deer's potential unless you observe that same deer for a few consecutive years. It is just too difficult to figure out why a rack looks a certain way, with just one look at a deer.

Most bucks will have the potential to develop very nice racks. One's potential might be a 140 class buck while another's is in the 200 inch range. To me, they are both trophies. I'd prefer to see all bucks reach their potential unless it is an obvious genetic problem. On managed lands, it's a bit easier to pick out these cull bucks. From your description, I would say that these bucks have a lot of potential and you should let them grow, if you are after larger racked bucks.

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wolfen I was thinking the same thing, I have watched this one buck where I work for a while, last year he was a nice basket 6. This year he is a very tall 8 point, still more of a basket than a wall hanger, but he is only 2 1/2, the older a buck gets the more his antlers migrate down, if he has the proper genes and nutrition his spread will increase with age. I have always noticed that the older a buck the further down his antlers will migrate, whether he has a heavy rack or not.

The Tazman aka Martin Price
Founder and President of
Virginia Disabled Outdoorsmen Club

You live in Nebraska according to your profile. Everything there grows into a &quot;Trophy&quot; if allowed to live. Great genetics, great food, great climate... everything they need. In your case, I would think it would be pretty much a sure thing they'll turn out to be something special if allowed to mature. Besides that, your hunting pressure is no where near as intense as some of the Eastern and Southern states. You already have more mature bucks walking around than several of those states put together. Might as well wait for one of those if you have the time. If time is short and you need meat... well... shoot one.<img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle>

by23856,

I have to second Straightarrow. Genetics is the key and to date there is no clinical proof that any of the mineral, foods, etc. have any impact on antler development. Body size - o.k., antler size - no. YEAR-to-YEAR observation is the only way to know for sure. Both may grow to trophy status, maybe only one. Or possibly neither.

The answer you are looking for will be found in the woods next year, and the one after that, and the one after that...



GForce

Shoot often - Hunt always

you'll never know if ya dont let em grow!

If I ain't huntin',I'm trappin',If I ain't trappin',I'm fishin'
If I ain't fishin',I'm wishin'!