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Button Buck vs. 3 point vs. basket rack 6 - how do you know? #1115410 12/18/09 11:55 PM
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I have heard different opinions on this, so I come here for the expert opinion!!

I have heard that a 1 yo buck can be a button buck, 3 point or so and a basket 6 or so. So how do you judge which deer should be shot as a cull?
This week I saw buttons, spikes, small (8 inch main beam) 6 point running does all over the place. Then we see a 20 inch 10 point walking around not making babies.
I doubt this is making any sense.
But, how can you tell if a young buck has potential?



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Re: Button Buck vs. 3 point vs. basket rack 6 - how do you know? [Re: LAG - CW] #1115536 12/19/09 01:13 AM
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Lots of views, no answers. Must be a good question!



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Re: Button Buck vs. 3 point vs. basket rack 6 - how do you know? [Re: LAG - CW] #1115593 12/19/09 01:44 AM
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Clint,

There is a guy here on the Forum, that has a link in his sig about shooting spikes. James D. Kroll and some other fella done a 12 year study, on low fence ranches in South Texas, and found that once a buck gets 4.5 years of age, that there wasnt any differance in horn size, between yearling spikes and fork horns. With being said, if your seeing young fork horns, IMO, i would take a spike for a cull. Thats just my opinion.



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Re: Button Buck vs. 3 point vs. basket rack 6 - how do you know? [Re: Stickchunker] #1115600 12/19/09 01:48 AM
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Re: Button Buck vs. 3 point vs. basket rack 6 - how do you know? [Re: Stickchunker] #1115621 12/19/09 01:59 AM
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Thats some great information Stickchunker. - Thanks!



Clint Wright
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Re: Button Buck vs. 3 point vs. basket rack 6 - how do you know? [Re: LAG - CW] #1115626 12/19/09 02:05 AM
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No Problem.



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Re: Button Buck vs. 3 point vs. basket rack 6 - how do you know? [Re: Stickchunker] #1115694 12/19/09 02:38 AM
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On a button buck there is no way to tell. Most of the time you are lucky to be able to tell it's a button buck.

Where I live, I wouldn't be killing spikes that are less than 3.5 based on body size. There are too many variables, mostly related to the weather conditions while momma was pregnant than to make a judgement as to whether said buck has any potential.

If you find a 1.5 yo 6 point, by all means let him walk! That ought to be a no brainer. If he's 2.5 and 6 pts I'd leave him alone. Again, much of that part depends on weather conditions during the antler cycle for that year. Supplementing or not could also have an impact.

Young bucks breeding, there will always be some young ones that get lucky. When the doe is ready she is ready and the big boys can't be everywhere at once.

My OPINION is to wait until body size and antlers pretty much match and even that is not always a lead pipe cinch. Glass 'em real well, watch their behavior and interaction with the other deer around, particularily at a feed pen. That will give you some idea of where they are in the pecking order. But, remember the oldest deer there isn't always the dominant one.


Re: Button Buck vs. 3 point vs. basket rack 6 - how do you know? [Re: Stickchunker] #1116610 12/19/09 08:56 PM
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Originally Posted By: Stickchunker
Clint,

There is a guy here on the Forum, that has a link in his sig about shooting spikes. James D. Kroll and some other fella done a 12 year study, on low fence ranches in South Texas, and found that once a buck gets 4.5 years of age, that there wasnt any differance in horn size, between yearling spikes and fork horns. With being said, if your seeing young fork horns, IMO, i would take a spike for a cull. Thats just my opinion.


I'm glad somebody got some use out of my sig.

My opinion is to not shoot any bucks, for genetic purposes, until they are 3 1/2. I don't believe 2 1/2 year old deer do any significant breeding, therefore it is worth it, to me, to let them go to 3 1/2. The only deer that I would shoot at 3 1/2 are main frame 6 points and smaller. Everything else gets a pass until at least the next year.


Re: Button Buck vs. 3 point vs. basket rack 6 - how do you know? [Re: JDShellnut] #1116957 12/20/09 12:32 AM
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You should never shoot a nubbin buck...ever. None of the bucks you listed were culls. A cull is a buck with undesirable characteristics. You can't see their potential in their first 2 years, most of their food goes to growing their body.


Re: Button Buck vs. 3 point vs. basket rack 6 - how do you know? [Re: Justin T] #1116985 12/20/09 12:52 AM
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I think he asked, and no one answered yet, whether a 6 months old buck (a fawn) can be other than a button buck. I'd be interested to know. I've always believed that every 6 month old buck would only have buttons.



Re: Button Buck vs. 3 point vs. basket rack 6 - how do you know? [Re: postoak] #1117075 12/20/09 01:46 AM
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Adam_p,

Im glad you posted that in your sig. it was a good read.



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Re: Button Buck vs. 3 point vs. basket rack 6 - how do you know? [Re: postoak] #1117103 12/20/09 01:57 AM
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Originally Posted By: postoak
I think he asked, and no one answered yet, whether a 6 months old buck (a fawn) can be other than a button buck. I'd be interested to know. I've always believed that every 6 month old buck would only have buttons.


I have seen them with very small spikes also. I have seen them in a pen with 4 or so inch spikes. But for the most part you are right.

And Justin T is right, you should never ever ever shoot a button buck. It does happen on accident though when people are trying to shoot does. This is another reason I am against shooting young does. If you only shoot your older does, you will probably not mistake a button buck for a doe.


Re: Button Buck vs. 3 point vs. basket rack 6 - how do you know? [Re: JDShellnut] #1117106 12/20/09 02:00 AM
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oh yeah, I have a yearling 9 point hanging out. Hopefully the neighbors wont bust him before he reaches the giant status I hope he will. History tells me other wise though.


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