3.5 to 4.5 years old
03-05-2008 | 02:56 PM
#11
Dominant Buck
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 21,043
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From:
RE: 3.5 to 4.5 years old
Jeff you nailed it, the core area. You read that article in D&DH about how some mature bucks are just so lazy the even during the rut they won't leave their core area?
Makes me think we'd better know where they live....and know damn well.....if we think we're gonna kill a really old deer.
Or...catch him chasing tail.
03-05-2008 | 03:02 PM
#12
Site Buck Guru
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 5,922
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From: Racine, Wisconsin
RE: 3.5 to 4.5 years old
The really old and mature bucks will not show their face if they suspect that something is even slightly out of wack. They'll remain hidden until after dark.I've seen big old bucks abandon a hot doe because he felt something wasn't right.
03-05-2008 | 03:28 PM
#13
Thread Starter
Giant Nontypical
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 9,445
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From: Central Minnesota
RE: 3.5 to 4.5 years old
ORIGINAL: GregH
The really old and mature bucks will not show their face if they suspect that something is even slightly out of wack. They'll remain hidden until after dark.I've seen big old bucks abandon a hot doe because he felt something wasn't right.
The really old and mature bucks will not show their face if they suspect that something is even slightly out of wack. They'll remain hidden until after dark.I've seen big old bucks abandon a hot doe because he felt something wasn't right.
03-05-2008 | 03:39 PM
#15
Typical Buck
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 596
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From: Panhandle of Texas
RE: 3.5 to 4.5 years old
Imo, the jump in intelligence, wood savvy, or whatever you choose to call it is exponential. I don't consider a 3.5 a mature deer.
This is just one of many anectdotal observations I have witnessed over the years that has caused me to form this opinion.
A few years ago, I targeted a 4.5 to fill my buck tag with. I came close on two occassions, but never could get the guy out of the brush. He always sensed something wasn't right and never presented a shot.
On the last day of the season, I am set up in funnel between a bedding area and wheat field and with about 15 minutes of season left, here he comes but following a 3.5 yo buck. It was very still and quiet.
As they approach my 30 yard window and I start to draw back, the old deer "senses" or hears the drawing of the bow and jumps through his skin and in the blink of an eye he is gone. The younger deer just stands there giving me the perfect broadside shot not even aware of what is going on.
This is just one of many anectdotal observations I have witnessed over the years that has caused me to form this opinion.
A few years ago, I targeted a 4.5 to fill my buck tag with. I came close on two occassions, but never could get the guy out of the brush. He always sensed something wasn't right and never presented a shot.
On the last day of the season, I am set up in funnel between a bedding area and wheat field and with about 15 minutes of season left, here he comes but following a 3.5 yo buck. It was very still and quiet.
As they approach my 30 yard window and I start to draw back, the old deer "senses" or hears the drawing of the bow and jumps through his skin and in the blink of an eye he is gone. The younger deer just stands there giving me the perfect broadside shot not even aware of what is going on.
03-05-2008 | 03:51 PM
#16
Thread Starter
Giant Nontypical
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 9,445
Likes: 0
From: Central Minnesota
RE: 3.5 to 4.5 years old
ORIGINAL: jackflap
Imo, the jump in intelligence, wood savvy, or whatever you choose to call it is exponential. I don't consider a 3.5 a mature deer.
This is just one of many anectdotal observations I have witnessed over the years that has caused me to form this opinion.
A few years ago, I targeted a 4.5 to fill my buck tag with. I came close on two occassions, but never could get the guy out of the brush. He always sensed something wasn't right and never presented a shot.
On the last day of the season, I am set up in funnel between a bedding area and wheat field and with about 15 minutes of season left, here he comes but following a 3.5 yo buck. It was very still and quiet.
As they approach my 30 yard window and I start to draw back, the old deer "senses" or hears the drawing of the bow and jumps through his skin and in the blink of an eye he is gone. The younger deer just stands there giving me the perfect broadside shot not even aware of what is going on.
Imo, the jump in intelligence, wood savvy, or whatever you choose to call it is exponential. I don't consider a 3.5 a mature deer.
This is just one of many anectdotal observations I have witnessed over the years that has caused me to form this opinion.
A few years ago, I targeted a 4.5 to fill my buck tag with. I came close on two occassions, but never could get the guy out of the brush. He always sensed something wasn't right and never presented a shot.
On the last day of the season, I am set up in funnel between a bedding area and wheat field and with about 15 minutes of season left, here he comes but following a 3.5 yo buck. It was very still and quiet.
As they approach my 30 yard window and I start to draw back, the old deer "senses" or hears the drawing of the bow and jumps through his skin and in the blink of an eye he is gone. The younger deer just stands there giving me the perfect broadside shot not even aware of what is going on.
03-05-2008 | 04:12 PM
#17
Nontypical Buck
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 2,075
Likes: 0
From: Northwest suburbs, Illinois
RE: 3.5 to 4.5 years old
On the last day of the season, I am set up in funnel between a bedding area and wheat field and with about 15 minutes of season left, here he comes but following a 3.5 yo buck. It was very still and quiet.
As they approach my 30 yard window and I start to draw back, the old deer "senses" or hears the drawing of the bow and jumps through his skin and in the blink of an eye he is gone. The younger deer just stands there giving me the perfect broadside shot not even aware of what is going on.
As they approach my 30 yard window and I start to draw back, the old deer "senses" or hears the drawing of the bow and jumps through his skin and in the blink of an eye he is gone. The younger deer just stands there giving me the perfect broadside shot not even aware of what is going on.
03-05-2008 | 04:21 PM
#18
Typical Buck
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 596
Likes: 0
From: Panhandle of Texas
RE: 3.5 to 4.5 years old
So did you shoot him..?? The 3.5 yr. old.
Did I see him next year? Not that I am aware of. But of course by then he was a 4.5yo and was waaay too smart for me by then.
