Very good buck, and no ground shrinkage at all. Sorry about the poaching problem, I had friend that had a Shetland pony and a cow shot from the road at night. They see eyes in the spotlight and shoot. I hate poachers.

Nice job bud. He will make a nice mount.

Excellent! Congratulations. Sorry you have to deal with poachers though. Report everything. Never give up.

I did. Never heard back from the GW so I assume he didn’t get anyone. Hated that it happened, only time I’ve had that problem in 15 years here. The GW had said there had been a problem with poachers at the time and hogs. I figure they saw an opportunity and escalated.

Nice buck Earl. I hunt south west of Loving . Just curious if you process your on meat or use a processor in that area. Also do you use a Taxidermist around there. Seems tough to find a good processor close by.

Nice one!

Beautiful buck and he is a trophy by any standards! Congratulations!

Tell me about it! I used Clear Fork in Graham for years but as you probably know they require them to be skinned now. They did take this one as I'm having a mount done, they use a taxidermist from around PK but I forget the name (I think it's Paul Castillo), they have a lot of their work there at Clear Fork though. I haven't had a mount done since 2014, I was shocked at what they cost now. I did a quick google though and found out it's probably not out of line these days ($670).

I'm going to take my meat deer though to a fellow that's setup in Jacksboro. He has signs up around Jacksboro and Runaway Bay. His number is 940-229-4672. He is primarily cold storage and a drop off location for the actual processor. The processor is Cinnamon Creek in Roanoke. They are alot closer to me in the metroplex, so that's fine with me (pickup will be at their Roanoake location). This may not work out for everyone, but I"m going to give it a try on a doe anyways. They have options that I"ve never been able to get around Graham such as hunter sticks, jerky, dried sausage, etc...stuff I miss from South Texas processors.

I know there is at least one other processor in Jacksboro and 2 down Graford way but I've not used them yet.

I have used Sam Hill at Cedar Creek Taxidermy in Breckinridge before and was happy with his work.

Earl

Clear Fork was skinned and quartered two weeks ago, they lady owner at that time thought they would be going to skinned. She said only 2-3 guys doing the wild game processing has them slammed is why they went to that this season. You're correct with Castillo doing their taxidermy work, has had it the last 10 years or so; his work is solid from what I have evidenced. Cinnamon Creek does quality processing but pricey. Their bacon wrapped venison filets are awesome and jalapeño spiced products solid too.

That is a fine Mature 10 point. Most guys hunt a lifetime and never get a chance at a Buck like that. Congrats.

Yes Mr Castillo did my last shoulder mount with clear fork in 2014. His work is pretty good, I haven’t had any complaints. Wife is none to crazy about having another head on the wall though. Somehow saying I hadn’t put a new one up in 7 years didn’t mollify her.

Used clear fork one time years ago when I started hunting in Graham . Was not happy at all with there service felt like they were over priced and shorted us meat. Had been using Rays in Breckinridge and cedar creek taxidermy down the rd . Sam is a very good taxidermist just takes bit to get it back . Probably some of the best work I have seen. I have also used all star in graford . Larry the owner there is very nice and his meat is very good. I have heard great things about cinnamon creek though.

Heck yeah. Congrats!!

Congratulations on that one! Very good 10 beautiful main beam shape and tine length.

Thanks. Yeah I am not a great judge at scoring, once I get the mount back I'll do all the measurements with a scoring sheet but I knew I had something unusual for me when I went to tag him....I usually attach the tag to the antlers with 4 inch cable ties...well with him nope, they wouldn't go around the circumference of his mainbeam until after the G4.

Great deer. Congrats!

Nice deer. My dad had a lease just north of Loving for 15 years or so until 2016 when he passed. He killed a few nice bucks over the years off of it and other members did too. We had some good times at that place.

Nice deer for sure, Congrats!!

I was looking at past year camera photos. Compare this buck from last year, I think it's the same one I took based on those crab claw G4/G5's and symmetry. Just a lot more mass and brow tine length this year.




What's interesting is he was nocturnal last year. But not this year which was his mistake.

Great buck!

Wowzy! Congratulations!

That is a beauty Earl, congrats!