Date: November 4, 2012
Weapon: .308 Savage (150 Grain Nosler Accubond)
Conditions: 57 Degrees / 6:48 AM / Light North Breeze
Rut Indicators: Tarsal Glands-Stained and "Stank"
Neck-Swollen slightly, but not full
Brown Tines-Green Staining w/light debris

*Was not chasing and did not have nose to ground or any other indicators. Second day in a row to see him at the same time. He was walking very casual. First day, he did seem to have a figure 8 type pattern around and through brushy areas. Possibly scent checking the wind?

I had purchased a tripod on sale at Academy recently and was still in the box. Did some scouting during bow season, assembled it, and cut it into a cedar last weekend. Couldn't hunt it then because I had my youngest son with me.

This weekend was my first time to hunt it. Not going anywhere near the feeders. Closest one probably 300+ yards (as a crow flies). I scouted trails and picked an area closest to intersecting trails, wind directions, sun rise/set, and the least pressure.

Yes, his stomach was full of acorns!

Processor within 15 munutes of our lease. Said they had a lot of bucks come in this weekend, but this was the first one with stained tarsals, swollen neck, etc.

Pics aren't the best for aging, but feel free boys...What's he gonna score??

Great buck love the character

Awesome deer!

Nice buck

Nice mid 30s love the crab claws

wow. Nice buck!!!

That is a great looking buck! He looks to be a 3 yr old in those pics. I get him in the 150 to low 150's everytime I add him up. Congrats!

Heck of nice buck. Congrats.

Congrats, great buck!

What a great buck, congrats!

stxranchman,

Was waiting on you to show up. Figured you would chime in and glad you did. I have a friend who spends a lot of time on some ranches down South. He estimated 140's to 150.

Taxidermist estimated high 140's into 150 as well. So you are the 3rd in that estimate range and I, for one, consider you having a good deal of knowledge.

Bottom line-I hope you are correct. If so, he will be my biggest to date. I estimated him, on the hoof, at 3.5 years old and therefore passed him the day before. Really would like to start managing to 4.5-5.5 year old deer as a starting point for harvesting.

However, after looking at game cam pics that night, the others (who have been on the lease for 20 years) decided I should take it if he ever showed again. Said that is the biggest they have ever seen outside of one escapee (ear tag included) from a local high fence ranch years ago.

Well he showed the next day at the same time on the very same trail...Thanks for the input.

I would say 145" good looking buck though

Great deer!! Amazing!! Just don't get asking these folks what he scored. You have him on the ground.... Put a tape on em! I'm very jelous!

Good looking buck!

Awesome deer! Most of us only dream of seeing a deer with that quality at 3.5.

I hope he score more! He has a lot of nice tine length. He would have been a hard buck for me to pass up the first time if were hunting.

Fantastic Buck!

great buck

Reward less what he scores he is a great Deer congrats ! I know he will make 140 for sure .. I used to hunt proctor lake in Comanche and we took 2 b&c bucks out there .. Man I used to love stopping at storms hamburger joint in Hamilton when I was passing through ! He's going to make a hell of a mount .

Excellent, I am thinking 145-148 gross.

Oh and congrats!

This is one of those deer if he walked out facing towards you that wouldn't excite you to much, but as soon as he turned and you could see all that character you would be scrambling for the gun. I'll take a deer with character over a clean typical trophy anyday. Awesome deer.

That is a nice buck. Congratulation.