3 Years ago a 6 point started showing up on my farm in Rusk County. We have been managing our farm for a decade. We have seen great results from planting food plots and harvesting does and now our buck to doe ratio is much better than it was. This particular buck started showing back up at the end of the 2012 season. I was not able to lay my eyes on him then. During this past summer he started showing up in a food plot with 6 other bucks. I was able to pattern him traveling through a pinch point at the back of the food plot and also got his picture heading into another bedding area. I had 2 bedding areas mapped out that I knew he was going into. This past season, being a mature buck I knew he would choose to cross in a particular area of a pipleine (Keystone Pipeline). The area was in a low spot between two hills where a creek crossed. After dreaming about the buck all summer, hunting 30-40 times and passing up an 11 point, the buck finally showed up right before dark on November 22. 230 yards away, the buck stood broadside and gave me all the time in the world for a good clean shot. I took my time, took a deep breath and squeezed the trigger. Having felt very confident in the shot I walked down to where I last saw him run into the woods. I found no blood and it rained the whole night. I think I managed an hour or two of sleep that night. I never found the deer and got no pictures of the big 6 after that. Sadly, last week I got a call and found out the neighbor shot him. A bittersweet sensation filled my mind. A great gene to take out of the pool but sad at the same time. I'm sure many of you have felt this feeling before hunting low fence land. I will be practicing out to 300 yds this next year.

Here he is at ages 3.5, 4.5, and 5.5. This is what can happen when you let the young ones walk.

What!!! You mean he has stayed a 6 for that long....but, but, but, people on here say all the time that they will turn into something better, just give them age

That deer is turning into a stud of a 6. Not sure why, but those big ole 6's do it for me.

Should be able to edit it.

Where is the pic of him on the ground?

That is a stud 6. Cant help you on the title change

Theres the full story. Enjoy.

Turned into a stud 6 for sure. At least you know you missed him.

Ill never forget that deer.

good looking deer

Just my opnion but I think you have pictures of a 2.5, 3.5, 4.5

Great story line on the buck. He is at least 5 in the last pics you posted. I would not argue anyone wanting to call him 5 in the second pic due to date on the pic and 6 in the last ones either.

awesome animal, no doubt 5.5+ in the last pics, built like a horse

This is a great thread and story. Sorry about your miss, but at least you now know you didn't wound and lose him. Congrats to your neighbor.

There's alot of fun in hunting the same deer across multiple seasons. They seem to get into your blood.

What a beautiful deer. Yes, it can be heartbreaking when you lose one to the neighbors but what are you gonna' do? I had the same thing happen this year. A big mature 10pt that we had on camera ended up chasing a doe off our place and was shot by the neighbors about 1 mile away. My Son was pretty deflated. Oh well, they work hard for their deer just like us.

I completely disagree. I think its 4.5, 5.5 and 6.5. Mostly based on the second picture and the last picture in the summer. Looks very mature there. No way he is 3.5 in that picture.

great story. sory you didnt get him, but at least you didnt wound and lose him.

Was thinking the same thing....there's studies on it. lol

At least you have closure. I've helped lots of people track deer for hours upon hours and never knew if the deer made it or not. Some of those people have a hard time forgiving themselves.

Cool story. Thanks for sharing it.

I appreciate your commitment to your age management philosophy and agree, he is a stud 6 pointer. probably one of the best 6's I have ever seen.
Sorry about your miss but like some one said, just glad he wasn't wounded and lost.
Great story, thanks

I'd start watching for his buddy that's in the first and last shots.

Nice 6. I have always wanted a BIG 6 and a BIG 8.

Dang. Good story. Wish he had ended up on your wall though.

He may be over 6.5 in that last picture. His face is saggy and boney, his body looks like John Wayne or a horse that needs to be retired. His high weight and good antler mass are not indicative of a deer on the decline, but he otherwise looks unusually old. I would guess you're in an area with non-sandy soil. Usually deer loose weight and antler quality as they age because their teeth are worn to the point that they can't get enough nutrition. The big six on the other hand looks aged, but nutritionally solid.

nice six.

Dreamed of the way I was going to mount him with his ear still hanging down. Now soneone else is mounting him the wrong way... Biologist thought he was 8.5. I know differently due to the history with him. Of course the guys that shot him do not practice deer mgmt. They just bait or fence lines. Shame.

I have more bucks ive watched for 3+ yrs low fence and cant wait to share their stories in another year or 2... Its neat to see pics of a buck throughout his years. Especially low fence.

I think the biologist was probably right. He's OLD. It's a shame they aren't mounting him with the screwed up ear. Gotta keep that character.