I'm pretty sure this guy is 5.5 yrs old, but I wanted to get everyone's opinion. I've been able to pattern him - he eats at 7am and 7:15pm almost every day at the exact same spot, so I'm thinking the first day of gun season that he'll be in my crosshairs. As excited as I am about that prospect, I'm also thinking I'd like for his genes to pass on, and wondering if I should wait to post rut (if he makes it) to take him. It'd be my biggest deer in the 25 years I've been hunting, rack wise. We have about 500 acres and he seems to stay just on our place...for now. I'm sure any of the the neighbors would pop him in a heartbeat...they shoot anything with horns, and this guy's a whopper! Thoughts? What would you do...in thinking of long term management?

5.5 yr old, solid buck

get a bow and go NOW!

I wouldn't even hesitate to kill that buck the first chance I got. Im sure he has passed on more than his fare share of genes.

CHOOT EM!!!!!

That is a great mature deer. I say 5.5

I sure hope you get him, good luck.

I would agree to 4.5 for sure, he may be 5.5 as well but doesn't have many of the characteristics of a mature deer yet (thick knobby knees, blunted nose, greying of the fur, thick saggy brisket, full drooping belly, etc).

He is a good buck, don't get me wrong, and I would take him in a heart beat (I guess I am like your neighbors there). If you have pics of him for several years and he was decent sized three years ago, meaning not a yearling, then I would say 5.5 is a good guess. But, just seeing this guy without any reference, 4.5-5.5 is good bet.

Stud 12pt I'd put him 5.5-6.5

I'd pop him

Personally, id take the "neighbor" out of the equation. I think the old saying on here goes, "if you shoot a deer just because you think your neighbor will, then you are that neighbor."

He's a solid buck, great tine length.. If he's content on your property and you do not pressure him, i would probably let him go through the rut one more time.. But i'd agree he's 5.5 at a min and a great shooter buck.

Not sure i could hold off either on opening morning!

What a HOSS! I couldn't pass that one up.

He's passed those genes along long before these pics, just sayin.

Body shape has me leaning to either 5.5 or 7.5 for age. I would call him a 7 yr old based on those pics. I would not wait till after the rut. Chances are very slim that he will breed more than one or two. Chances are worse that you will have a fawn raise from his next summer. 50/50 chance if one is raised it will be a buck. Hard to let a mid 160's or better class buck walk on that size ranch. I would kill him and hope he bred a few does that raised fawns in his past. Great looking buck.

This is the first year hunting on this property, so there on no pics of him to judge from past years.

Stevarino - I'm not saying I'd shoot him because my neighbors will. The thought of letting him go through one more rut has passed through my mind. I WANT to take him this year, and I think he is 5.5 yrs old. I'm just saying that if I don't take him on opening day, the next hunter that sees him WILL pop him, so he might not even make it to the rut.

stxranchman - right on...thanks!

Yeah, i think I'm going to have an early morning date with him on the 2nd!

(this is when I wish I took up bow hunting this season!)

If you want to take him, fire in the hole..

I'm not saying i could pass even if i wanted to... but i wouldnt let my neighbor be the deciding factor..

Go with your instinct and what you want to do.
He has pasted on his genes a few times.


I would take him the first chance I got. We never know what tomorrow may bring.

Many Have been on a lease looking towards the future an letting bucks grow only to not be on the property next year.

Shot it and make it a memory you will never forget. Not many get a chance at that type of a buck on a LF property.

Here, take my bow.

Problem is, I have to go along with it and pull the string for you.

Nice buck!

They make crossbows and they are legal

his genes are there if he is 5.5... I don't know why you are at work or what ever... Id be there

I'm thinking 6 1/2, and he's passed on his genes for a few years. I personally wouldn't wait. JMO...best of luck

I think this story ends with...."George reads stxranchman's post, signs off of THF, hauls [censored] to get his crossbow, logs back on THF the next day with trophy pics!"

Perhaps next year I'll get comfortable with a crossbow or bow. I've got a 6 month old at the house, so I'll just be counting down to catch this guy in my crosshairs on Nov. 2nd. Thanks for your feedback, everyone!

Well? You left yet?

Mentally, I've been there since sun up!!!

Great buck, hope you get him.

Bass Pro Shop on IH-10 would be my lunch stop for today.

Good thread, nice buck