Look at Who Showed Up

He has been on another game cam but never on mine. I think he is 4 1/2 but he looks awfully good. His mass is kind of weak compared to the 10 point on my hit list. What do you think?

I would have a hard time not shooting him just on principle....double drop tines+kickers. Unless you have awesome genetics, I would be shocked if he was a 3.5y.o.

If you can let him pass then do so. He's gonna be a monster in 2-3 years.

If not any conservation minded people on the land, then

I have a major weakness for drop tines!

He is pretty safe where he is. My buddy next to me is the one with the itchy trigger finger. I have already talked to him about using some restraint.

Sounds like y'all should make a decision together. If you've talked to him about restraint, and then you whack it, he's gonna be pissed.

He killed a single drop tine buck last year and it was not mature. We had a discussion about that deer after the fact. It is what it is. I have a mature 10 point that is my priority this year. At least I know he is 5 1/2 + years old. This is what the 10 point looked like last year. He is even bigger now.

He has the body of a younger deer. Wait at least one more year, 2 would be better.

Very nice

If you want him shoot him.

I would get him if it were me

Good looking deer. Would be even bigger if he makes it another year, but not sure I would have the restraint depending on what else was running around. Older deer have more meaning to me than antler size, but I haven't shot a deer with a drop tine, much less 2...so I would have a hard time passing for the sake of passing. Lease rules are a different story.

No guarantee that the drops will be there next year.

You be the judge. It's your place and your money. Don't listen to these boys that live in the city and watch those 30 minute hunting shows all night, where all that talk about is letting that big 180 walk and how much bigger he will be next year. If you will look at some of their pencil horned pics on here they should have let those deer live another year or two. Very nice deer. Put a bow stand up and stick him.

If that deer came near me I'd shoot it.

I shot a deer that looked real similar to that one several years ago. Between lease mates and neighbors I didn't think he would make it another season let alone 2. Never regretted my decision. I'm sure there'd be some regret if he wasn't on my wall though.

2nd buck's definitely a shooter

Looks like he's got a tumbleweed strapped to his head. Awesome deer.

That is a tough call. He looks 4.5 to me in the one pic. Mass always looks less in night pics.

I would shoot it if the rules were not being broken. Mother nature could kill him before anyone sees him again next year.

Yep, I'm one of those men, not boys, I'm way to old to be called a boy, that lives in the city and I'd definitely consider shooting him. Like someone else said there's no guarantee he will have drop tines next year. I've never gotten a drop tine buck so the temptation would be great but if there are rules in place then everyone needs to follow them...that is of course unless this buck is the exception to the rule..lol. Not really sure why living in the city has anything to do with what decision a hunter would make on shooting this buck. I've noticed a couple of guys that don't live in the city say it'd be difficult to pass on this buck so why someone assumes only city guys would be tempted to shoot this buck is funny.

The dude abides

That is a tough call sir. Normally I'd let him walk another year but those double drops are rare indeed. In future years he may have more mass, and maybe more total inches, but will he have as much character?

Good luck making the decision. If nothing else, go hunt him and see what your gut says when he steps out!

Half the time we debate on whether or not to take a deer and it's all theoretical as we never actually see them anyway.

You shoot him.. No question

Mature double drop.. Nuff said

If I saw him it would be his last mistake.

Depends on if I thought he would make it through the season.

Have we become so jaded by monster racks that people are actually saying to let this buck walk? You guys can hunt with me anytime. I'll gladly shoot that big bastage

One word that sways me to say shoot him is-Anthrax. That is the game changer of all game changers out in your area. That said I think he is a 4 yr old and with more/better pics might bump him to 5. With droptines you never know if they are injury related or genetic. They can appear one year and never again. Be there every other year or every year. Out west in that area I have always told people think about shooting a buck they like due to the unknowns that could happen the next year. He could die in the rut, he could be shot by the neighbors, he could be poached, he could be killed by predators, he could get crippled up, you could have a pitiful rainfall year(s) next year(s), he could get Anthrax...etc. You could leave him and he blows up or does not grow the droptines ever again. Tough call to make, even tougher for that area.

For me the double drops would seal the deal. The chances of harvesting a buck like that are pretty slim. Like STX said, to many variables involved to let that one walk away.

Shoot him he may not be back next year. That 10 pointer is very nice as well.

This. Unless your trying to only shoot 6 year olds and older I would have a really hard time passing on that deer.

This^^^^^

City living or country living who gives a flying F

shoot him... I dont see the question??

That is the issue I would have holding off, a double DT doesn't come along every day. I do think it is a younger buck and it would be cool to have him on the wall, tough decision for sure. BTW, that 10 point from last year isnt a slouch either

I would shoot him no questions asked. He might be on the younger side but do you really have a plan in place for everyone on the ranch to shoot 6 to 7 year old deer?

I wouldn't opt to let this one grow if he is the only one. Shoot him and enjoy your kill. Too many things can happen.

Very Nice !!

Range conditions were IDEAL this season for antler growth. I'm pessimistic with regard to Spring rains in 2016 - (yes I realize its cloudy and rained today). I think there is a chance he MIGHT decline slightly next season.

Shoot. No hesitation. I would trade 'your' older 10 for THAT mature (possibly sub-mature by a year) double drop buck in a heartbeat.

This coming from the guy that said I would have held off on the dead triple drop buck posted a few months back.

Pretty sure there is no way i could pass this deer, i know you have some good ones on your place, but like most have said, those double drops are no guarantee next year.

Great looking buck man.

Next picture of that deer should be with you sittin behind it with a smile on your face

Here is the 10 point this year in velvet.

that's a great lookin 10

Great Looking Deer

Those are 2 really nice bucks. I could definitely understand targeting the big 10 and letting the double drop tine buck grow another year. But, as others have said there is no guarantee that he'll repeat those drop tines. I've never even seen a drop tine buck, so I'd try to get him this season if it were my decision. Good luck with which ever buck you target, though,but having to chose between those 2 bucks is a win-win situation.

I would shoot the double-drop without a second of hesitation.

Very high likelihood you won't get another shot at one of those in your lifetime.

I have discussed this with the two guys that hunt closest to me. The drop tine buck will get a pass this year. We are really trying to kill mature 5 - 7 year old bucks.It is what it is. This is only the 2nd drop tine buck I have had at this location and it is hard to think about giving him a pass. I can live with this decision and hopefully can put the big 10 on the ground. I will post pics if and when that happens. I have been doing this for a long time (30+ years) and have no regrets for any of the deer that I have let walk in the past.

Good luck to you and the buck you are letting go I hope it works out for both of you

So here is the mature 10 point out of velvet. Date and time stamp are incorrect. I could have a short season this year.

Brute of a ten!! Good luck

X's 2, letting that double drop go, tough decision no question.

Good looking buck, certainly would shorten my season too