Barring anything that delves into the non-typical realm....at what point in a buck's life (how early) can you determine how many points he is likely to carry - main frame?

My guess would be 3 - 4 years.

If you're talking about the current year during antler growth, usually by about the 4th of July.

Sorry, Greg....I'm talking about "overall". At what point in a buck's life will he be sportin all he's going to?

Make sense? I'm trying to figure out if a main frame 8 will always be a main frame 8 (or 10....or more)....and at what age that is determined.

Thanks!

At 2 1/2 he will give you a good idea. The general # of points and shape of the rack.

I would say 2 1/2 if we're just talking about main frames.

to add a little spice at what age do you think they start to decline in rack size? I'm under the assuming the same as magic on jeff's question 2 1/2 should give you a good idea!

Below are pics of a buck from Dan's place showing his 2.5 year sheds, and 3.5 year rack. At 2.5 he was a clean 8 pointer, and at 3.5 he had a 1.5" G4 on the one side and another on the other side a bit shorter. I have no doubt in my mind that if he would have survived to 4.5 y/o he would have been a 10 pointer. I would say 4.5 based on this but I don't have the experience outside of this specific rack to know for sure.

Matt:

Is there any way to tell that those are from the same deer? I'm not saying they aren't....but I've noticed in the photos I have from year to year....the brow are a dead giveaway. The right G1 on the two don't look the same.

I could be (and probably am) way off......but it's just an observance.

I would say that by 2 1/2 a buck will show most of his points or at least give indecations where there may be another point.


I think you have 2 different deer here, those are 2 1/2 year old sheds which probably total 80" now the rack looks to be 4 1/2 and maybe grosses 125" for that 2 1/2 year old buck to put on 45" of bone in one year i would say is impossible. Also the sheds do have a nice curve in the beam and the rack comes straight out in front. The shed in your left hand has a brow point that has a unique curve something that genrallystays with the buck his entire life and the sheds look to show indecations of growing extra points.