Two Nice Bucks, Which one do you think is better?
 

I videotaped these two bucks a couple of weeks ago and took snapshots of the video. Sorry that they are not that good of quality but that is the result of a shaky hand and trying to find a good single frame. So, which one do you think is the better buck? They are both so different...

First...taller, more mass, extra brow tine...



Second...more width, longer G-3's...

RE: Two Nice Bucks, Which one do you think is better?
 

I would say if you are going to hunt either of these deer I would choose the first one. He seems to be an older deer and has a ton more mass. The second deer if let go until next year will end up being a real hog with awide rack and alot more mass.

RE: Two Nice Bucks, Which one do you think is better?
 

Buck number2 looks like he would score the best.

RE: Two Nice Bucks, Which one do you think is better?
 

At first glance, I would say the second one...But then again I would be happy with either one.

RE: Two Nice Bucks, Which one do you think is better?
 

The second, but the 1st one is also nice because it looks unique with the extra tine.

RE: Two Nice Bucks, Which one do you think is better?
 

Yeah, I am not sure that I will be hunting either one of these - I think there might be a couple of bigger ones. I just couldn't decide which one I thought was a nicer deer nor could I decide how old they were. Thanks for the input!

RE: Two Nice Bucks, Which one do you think is better?
 

Probly #2... looks likea better deer it has more spread and the tines are just as long.. Good luck with em!

RE: Two Nice Bucks, Which one do you think is better?
 

The better buck will probably be the second one, if he has another year or two to mature.

RE: Two Nice Bucks, Which one do you think is better?
 

I would take the second, more symetrical. Mass to me looks similar. Spread which is over rated but nice goes to buck #2. However if the first one offers a shot, he would get it also. Both are beautiful bucks you have a sweet place there.

RE: Two Nice Bucks, Which one do you think is better?
 

the best one would be the one who walks in front of my stand during for the 2nd best would be the one who walks infront of my stand in gun

RE: Two Nice Bucks, Which one do you think is better?
 

I don't think #2 would be as good as you guys are thinking. The pics are mis-leading because of the different rates of zoom or distance plus the fact that #1 has his ears back. The first buck clearly has more mass and you would be surprised what kind of tine length it has. Look at the G1s. They are a good 5"-6" now and if that was early July these boys will do ALOT of "finishing off" within the next month, plus check out that 8" dagger stickin out of his head. That is an "ace in the hole" or "angels kiss" for bumpin up the gross. He likewise has some DANDY beams, #2 has short beams which is indicative of youth! Also don't forget that #1 has that dagger in his right beam. Typically antlers grow (with respect too weight and the protein it takes to grow that bone) fairly equally on each side. So if you look closely you will see that #1s left side is about 1" longer everywhere when compared too his right. That is some extra length you might not realize until you put the tape too him.

Percieved mass is REALLY thrown off while in velvet but #1 CLEARLY has alot of it and carries it all the way out. I think #1 is probably older by as much as 2yrs too #2. If I were guessing, #1 is a 4 yr old but probably actually only 3! #2 is probably an outstanding 2 year old and at MOST a 3 yr old, again remember that mass looks double sized while in velvet. Also, look at the distance between the pedicles, that is a gap that narrows with age and obviously mass. #1 clearly has a smaller gap than #2.

Spread is almost USELESS with respects too affecting scoring because it is a one time credit. The difference between a 16" and a 20" inside spread is only 4", or heck add even a solid 10" and say it is a 26"er. Now add 1/2" to each mass measurement (that would give you 4"), add just one inch to each measureable point (on a ten pointer that would be 8" since you are talking about 8 of them) and finally add say 3" too each beams length which yields 6". That is 18" of additions which sound small on paper but add up too a HUGE difference in visual impact and gross score. My best deer is a 14ptr (a basic 12 with matching 1.5" stickers on each G2) that only has a 13.5" inside spread yet officially grosses 154" and change! He is a PRIME example that shows the difference between mass and length vs inside spread!

Personally I would leave them both as you would be FLOORED what they will become in the next one or two years! BUT if I just had to kill one, I would leave #2 and let a beginner or one of my sons kill #1 as they would be tickled and THAT is what trophies are all about, he is unique and has character!!! #2 looks like anything else out there that has decent forage and is given the utmost important aspect of trophy growing... time! ;)
RA

RE: Two Nice Bucks, Which one do you think is better?
 

You guys are all GUESSING from reasons I find irrelevant. There's only one certain way to determine which one in fact, is the better deer.

Take them both down and cook me some roasts or steaks from them, it's an old tried and true method called the plate test.

Antlers taste like rocks.

RE: Two Nice Bucks, Which one do you think is better?
 

I would take the doe

RE: Two Nice Bucks, Which one do you think is better?
 

I'd shoot either one without hesitation. If I had to choose,I like the wider rack of #2.

RE: Two Nice Bucks, Which one do you think is better?
 

I would have to say #2

RE: Two Nice Bucks, Which one do you think is better?
 

Both are safe from me.They are decent deer ,just not that large for the area that I hunt.Given a couple of years to mature though,they could be very nice.

RE: Two Nice Bucks, Which one do you think is better?
 

this guy is not a deer but an elk, he lives in Elk county

RE: Two Nice Bucks, Which one do you think is better?
 

If they were side by side I probbly would shoot # 2

But if alone I would drop the one in front of me.

My belly don't care about the antlers LoL

RE: Two Nice Bucks, Which one do you think is better?
 

Everybody will probably think I'm crazy --- but I'd let both of 'em walk for at least another year. Judging face, build, and structure, they appear to me to be young deer, probably no more than 3 1/2 years old and while both look pretty good right now, they look like they've got some incredible potential and they'll look so much better in another year or two. Too, bucks in velvet often appear a little larger than they really are. And allowing them to sow their oats a little longer ain't a bad idea either.

So grit your teeth, take some pictures, pattern the heck out of 'em, and hope to see 'em next year.:)

RE: Two Nice Bucks, Which one do you think is better?
 

if i had to choose. it would have to be whichever offered the best shot. but alone either would be fair game.

RE: Two Nice Bucks, Which one do you think is better?
 

The first one to get 20 yards from my tree.

RE: Two Nice Bucks, Which one do you think is better?
 

Top buck, but that could just be since I am a sucker for freaks!

RE: Two Nice Bucks, Which one do you think is better?
 

#1 has cool character but wont score what #2 will. Id shoot either.

RE: Two Nice Bucks, Which one do you think is better?
 

MASS RULES .... I would select the first one !

Doc

RE: Two Nice Bucks, Which one do you think is better?
 

Red Im with you, dont get me wrong I would take either one. If i had the choice i would take #1 with out a doubt!

RE: Two Nice Bucks, Which one do you think is better?
 

Both are beauitful bucks but the second looks to have more mass and a slightly wider rack. I would think it would score a bit higher.

RE: Two Nice Bucks, Which one do you think is better?
 

If you have bigger, and you know that you do, let them walk another year. They will be huge next year. Me I would love to see either one of them. Nice pictures!!

RE: Two Nice Bucks, Which one do you think is better?
 

I am supposed to get my leaf river tomorrow, so I will put it out and hopefully be able to give y'all an update on the two since these pics were taken 3 weeks ago...Thanks for the opinions on the two! [/align]

RE: Two Nice Bucks, Which one do you think is better?
 

The first one that comes into bow range!

RE: Two Nice Bucks, Which one do you think is better?
 

Looks to me like I'm a little late....:D:D:D
Both have been harvested by a number of you already.........:D:D:D
This one is mine.........:D:D:D

RE: Two Nice Bucks, Which one do you think is better?
 

I would shoot either one I think the #2 buck is the better deer and if he had #1's brows then he would be even better.

RE: Two Nice Bucks, Which one do you think is better?
 

the first one being a "unicorn buck" (i dont knowwhy they call it that i think it has someting to do with there being an extra brow tine so close to its head) would possibly score non-typical points, but the second buck looks like it has more mass, its hard to tell considering one buck is farther away, if you have anymore pics id love to see them, oh ya and Velvet makes them look alot bigger to so thats something else you gotta think about

later guys
Jess

RE: Two Nice Bucks, Which one do you think is better?
 

Im going with the second buck. Although it never hurts to let 'em grow another year.

RE: Two Nice Bucks, Which one do you think is better?
 

I would shoot either one! EXCEPT that if you were to shoot #1 the mount would look funny because he has no ears. Maybe give him a year or two to see if he grows them back.:D

RE: Two Nice Bucks, Which one do you think is better?
 

Buck number 2 looks a little wider...but I would not let eother one get past me!