I posted on here the week before Opening Wknd about Hill Country Deer Mmgmt. Well there were 2 - 10's and 2 - 11's shot on our lease in Willow City this past weekend. Looks like our efforts are starting to pay off. This is a video of a great 8 I passed on Saturday. Hope he makes it. Any guess on what kind of jump this guy could make. I know rain conditions and many other factors will pay a large part, but does he become more than an 8... the guys at camp thought I was crazy. After some debate we all agreed he needed some time.

[img]http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag130/TXHUNTER21/th_MAH00019_zpskqugegd1.mp4[/img]

Here is another young guy that needs some time and luck

[img]http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag130/TXHUNTER21/th_MAH00021_zpsuljq62gi.mp4[/img]

I would have done the same. Nice buck that could put on another 10+ inches next year. Worth the wait for me.

Good decision on both deer especially the second one. That first one is tempting, but looks only 4 at the most. If he survives he will be a stud next year.

Would have been hard to pass on the first one. Getting a good look on camera can help you make better decisions in the field. If I had never seen him before on camera I probably wouldn't have passed. If we have a wet year he will be a an awesome trophy.

Would have been hard for me to pass on that 8. Nice buck

Good bucks. The first one could be 5 and second one is young, looks to be a 2 yr old.

uh oh, let the OP's second guessing begin...

After viewing the video over and over, I have to agree with Pitchfork, that the deer is most likely a 4&1/2 year old buck. But unlike others I do not believe that he will become a 10pt. I believe that he will stay an 8 but put on more mass. I've studied bucks in the wild for years and only once have I seen a 4 year old put on additional points during their 5th & 6th year. So, let the arguments begin.

My current neighbors would have shot the 2.5 y/o 10 and put it on the wall.

I would love to know that a management minded hunter like you was my neighbor. Hopefully we get some good rain over the coming year and that 8 puts on some mass, gets bigger and gives you a shot next year. Good luck!

IME a lot depends on the herd when it comes to 4 yr old 8 points adding more typical points. Hill Country deer will add more than other regions due to over populations and habitat. I have seen quite a few that added points after 4. Seen a really nice typical 9 at 4 turn into a huge 5x6 typical with 3 extras and score around 200" at 5. Also had watched a buck that was an 8 point at 3 and 4 turn into a 5x5 typical at 5, 5x6 typical at 6 and 6x7 typical at 7 in Kendall County in the early 90's.

Nothing wrong with letting those bucks go. I have seen many deer blow-up that in the right year. In the Hill Country I would try to get bucks to as old of an age as I could before shooting them ( on the ones you like). Lot of those deer are greatly influenced by rainfall due to over-population and poor habitat. You tend to see a lot more of what they refer to as "swing" deer there. Those are bucks that have the genetics and greatly influenced by rainfall or lack of it.

If it makes you feel any better I put the 8 pt. at 3.5 yrs old. And yes I watched the video a few times.

I agree with pitchfork

Nice looking bucks. Good luck

The first one I would say 4.5 tops. It is hard to do in the hill country due to pressure but if you can and the we get good rain it will be worth the wait. That second buck is real young and will be a stud Ina few years.

I gotan 8 last weekend that is pushing 140 and every year we have had this place we have harvested a 140 plus. This is right outside of Austin. With good management and patience you can produce quakity deer. When we pulled camera pics tonight we had a buck real similar to the second one you have video of that we are real excited about.