I was wondering what you guys thought on the age of this guy. Thinking 5.5 or 6.5. In some pics he looks younger and in other pics older. What say you?

He is mature(5+) and would not get any maturer () if stepped out in front of me. Great buck!

Great looking buck, and I agree with at least 5.

^^^

Thanks guys. I grew up in the age of "if it has horns it dies", then it was "8 pt or better". Trying now to only harvest mature deer and teaching my son to do the same. This would easily big the biggest buck for either of us but don't want to kill it simply for that reason.

Shoot it. He's old and big.

You will hunt a long time into the future before you kill a buck that nice with that kind of age. He will look much older in a couple of weeks when the rut starts. He is mature and if you like him, kill him. Your decision though, not any of ours.

Yeah, the fact I'm even questioning this shows I've been spending way too much time on this forum. 5 yrs ago I wouldn't have thought twice about putting a bullet in this dude!

Also, should've mentioned, this is my first year hunting on the rolling plains. All my other hunting has been done on small, low-fenced hill country tracts. Much different bodies on those deer out west.

You have over-thought it to long now I would not have even posted on here or thought twice about it since I have a bow and crossbow. I would be worried more about his pattern, blind location and wind direction.

He looks like a fiv... BOOM... oh my bad

Nice Buck.

time!!!

What part of Kent county?

The reason I ask is because I own land on Duck Creek in Kent county and that's a great looking buck!

5+ prime time buck.

Once you hunt the rolling plains, you will never leave unless you have to.

We are in southern Dickens county about a mile north of the Kent county line.

I hope you and your son ground check him.

I used to hunt out there in that are on the Pitchfork ranch. Great place to hunt and that buck is definitely mature. I wouldn't hesitate to take that great buck!

We're off 70 north of the Double Mountain Fork. There are actually some bigger, older 8's out there which is why I was questioning taking this guy. Love his genetics and would like to see even more of his offspring running around out there in the next few years.

He has been breeding for a long time-at least 4 yrs in the past. Most bucks do not breed that many does in one season anyway (if you have a decent buck to doe ratio). Then factor in fawn survival and it goes down hill from that depending on the year. What if only doe fawns survived he produced? His genetics are already in the herd since he was produced from that herd. For me personally when I look at taking a mature buck I look at what the younger bucks look like that will be replacing him.

That's a great looking buck !! Used to hunt 10 miles south of Spur, 10 miles west of Girard. That was the best place I ever hunted. Hated it when we lost it. As so often happens, the mother died and the kids got it and things changed quickly. Couple of guys here used to Quail hunt the place too after deer season was over.

We are very close to each other. If I were you I wouldn't let him walk. When they get to this stage alot of other things can kill him beside you. Injury from pre-rut activity, coyotes after he gets weak and run down from the rut. We are also at high risk for fires breaking out if we don't get some rain. That could totally change everything from one day to the next.

Must be off 208. My place is 3 miles west of girard.

Seen some good bucks over the last couple years but they don't stay around and only showing up at night. "They" say it supposed to be a cold wet winter. If so, the big boys should hang around longer and move during shooting hours. <Fingers crossed>

Here's a thread I posted in 2010, super nice buck.
2010 Spur Texas Big Buck contest winner

Got him...

17 yr old son Hunter (my wife named him) took him down at about 7:45 yesterday morning. Not sure who was more excited. We were both shaking watching him come in. This is our first year to truly hunt a specific deer after viewing camera pics and getting to know all the deer coming to the feeder. We've always just shot the biggest deer without really knowing what else was out there. When this guy showed himself all my son said was "it's Mr Crabs, it's Mr Crabs".

He popped up out of a draw about 50 yds in front of us but was behind some mesquites and all we could see was antlers. I think he spotted us as we moved around trying to get a better view and disappeared back into the draw only to reemerge heading back up the hill on the other side. I told Hunter he might have to take a shot there which I guessed to be 200 and although he and the gun are both more than capable he wasn't comfortable risking it. His patience paid off as the deer quickly turned around and started heading straight for the feeder. Covered the 100 yds or so in no time and gave us a quick look right before he jumped into the feeder pen. Shot him as his head was actually under the 600# All Seasons Stand & Fill. Glad he didn't break a tine as he scrambled out and jumped the panel. He made it about another 20 yds and died within 10 yds of where my daughter's deer fell last Sunday. I've got video of the shot and me squealing like a schoolgirl if I could figure out how to post it.

Dropped him off at Cinnamon Creek for processing and having Alpine do the shoulder mount. Any guesses on score? 17-5/8 inside. Didn't take any other measurements.

Congrats on a great buck and really nice re-cap of the hunt.

Congrats!

Heck of a buck