I had what could best be called two young 'basket bucks in the woods behind my house last night, a ten point and an 8 point (a 5x5-very symetrical and a 4x4). They were 40 yards away. I was in my kitchen, not hunting but I had the glasses on them so I'm sure of the point counts. The tines were fairly tall but the racks barely extended beyond their ears, if at all. I'm pretty sure they were both 2 year olds from their overall appearance and color. They weren't as grizzled and gray as the more mature bucks.

My question is this: Will a 2 year old basket buck ever obtain that nice wide spread to become a 'trophy' class buck or will they always be tall and narrow? I'm not necessarily a trophy hunter, but it would be nice to know if I can hope to maybe see a real brute or two next year or not- assuming they survive till then.

Thanks.

-Brad
Eastern Nebraska Bowhunter

There is a good chance these bucks will be very impressive in a couple of years. Let 'em walk if you are wanting a trophy. Shoot a doe for the freezer.

I agree. A two year old has just started to give you a "small" look at his potential. Some say a buck under three is just starting to express his genetic potential.
You should have an opportunity to create a trophy!

Oh yea, the older a buck gets, to a point, the wider the spread and the heavier the rack as long as he is in good health and has good nutrition.

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

Many buck around here have basket racks. Its possible that both of those are 1.5 year old deer. If thats the case, in 2 years, you have the genetics for some whoppers!

Wow!! That's what I was hoping. Now If I can only get my hunting buddy to agree not to shoot them.

I have just made an agreement with the missus that I am going to forego getting my second archery permit in exchange for buying a new woodworking tool to help me finish some home improvement projects. I felt it was the chivalrous thing to do and will take away the temptation to take one. I can almost see them walking through the woods next year or the year after.

However, I'm still gonna try to hunt with the camera and hopefully I can post a pic or two of them soon.

-Brad
Eastern Nebraska Bowhunter

Definitely let 'em go and let 'em grow if you can and if you really want the meat, does taste better anyway. They will both probably be PY wall hangers in a year or two.

There are several things that determine if the deer you saw will ever become more than "basket bucks". First thing is genetics. If the buck doesn't have the genetics for a impressive rack, it doesn't matter how much time and nutrition you give him, he just will never delevop into a "trophy" buck. Now, the question is what a throphy is to one person, may not be to another. My friend and I let alot of smaller bucks walk but allow younger hunters to harvest them. We do try to harvest the ones that don't look as though they have the genetics we are looking to keep first. We basically call these "cull bucks".

Now, if the buck has the "right stuff", then he needs the proper nutrition. That means that the number of deer can exceed the carrying capacity of your land. You can also suppliment the feed with feeders or food plots. We have seen a huge increase in the size of our does and fawns since we began our feed program. But trust me, it isn't cheap!

Lastly, the buck needs to mature to develop his full rack potential. The earlier years, alot of the nutrition goes to building his body as well as the rack, but around age 3 - 4, the body matures for the most part, so more nutrition can be focused on the developing rack. Of course like anything else, a buck will reach his prime and then begin a down hill slide. I have a huge nine point on video that we have watched for a couple of years. I think he peaked last year and is now starting on the decline. He is a huge deer with a heavy gut, a gray face and some extreme mass in his rack.

Bottom line is that you have to find a balance is the equation. if you hunt public lands or land with an over abundnace of deer, or with extreme hunting pressure the chances of a buck getting truely large are really decreased.

Anyway, that's my .02 worth!

[Deleted by Admins]

Thanks, Danny, that tells me a lot. I think they have the genetics, from what I have seen around here in the past. I think the fact that they are pretty young and already have 8 and ten points bodes well, too, doesn't it, or can poor genetic bucks still get those many points? They have food galore and light hunting pressure, but there are a lot of deer, but probably not so many as to tax the resources. Lots of oaks and winter grasses. I'm gonna pass this year and hopefully see a couple really nice bucks next year.

Thanks to everybody for your feedback.

-Brad
Eastern Nebraska Bowhunter