rate this deer
06-24-2007, 12:38 PM
#21
Spike
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 40
RE: rate this deer
three major things I try to notice for a deer are
front shoulder area / if you can tell that the majority of the weight is upfront with large chest mass it is most likely a mature deer
body size / you just know when it is a big deer
antler mass / there are some 2 1/2 - 3 1/2 yr olds with nice racks but they haven't really developed any thickness to them yet
I try to look at these things while fighting off the buck fever. Years ago I would just panic and think the deer will turn and walk away before I can get off a shot. Last 3 years I passed a lot of smaller bucks for mature ones and it has paid off 2 of 3. There aren't many large deer in MA on a regular basis so it is hard to let them go. A lot of year round scouting and time in the tree stands, but it works
front shoulder area / if you can tell that the majority of the weight is upfront with large chest mass it is most likely a mature deer
body size / you just know when it is a big deer
antler mass / there are some 2 1/2 - 3 1/2 yr olds with nice racks but they haven't really developed any thickness to them yet
I try to look at these things while fighting off the buck fever. Years ago I would just panic and think the deer will turn and walk away before I can get off a shot. Last 3 years I passed a lot of smaller bucks for mature ones and it has paid off 2 of 3. There aren't many large deer in MA on a regular basis so it is hard to let them go. A lot of year round scouting and time in the tree stands, but it works
06-24-2007, 12:42 PM
#22
Spike
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 40
RE: rate this deer
Bow kill and in Worcester County. I only hunt with a bow more challenging that way. PAssed on 4 wall hangers in one weekto get to that one alot of second guessing myself last year, but I got lucky again
