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Velvet vs hard antler...

Allegheny Tom

Allegheny Tom

Well-Known Member
SH Member
Joined
Feb 4, 2018
Messages
6,219
Location
Western Pennsylvania
I've witnessed this for years but it still amazes me how much different a buck looks after they shed velvet. They don't even look like the same animal.
My initial thought when I saw this buck was that he's most likely a shooter. He certainly has the body for a 4 or 5 year old (for our area) But I knew he wouldn't score very high, mid teens at the best.
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Now look at him. Different animal? Nope, same deer.
While it's nice to see those "impressive" velvet antlers, keep calm and realize they ain't what they seem.
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I mean I don’t know you from Adam, but I’m pretty sure you’ve made a lot worse choices that shooting that buck lol
 
Dcomer55 said:
I mean I don’t know you from Adam, but I’m pretty sure you’ve made a lot worse choices that shooting that buck lol
Click to expand...
Here's where I am in my bowhunting journey.
I've killed more than my share of yearling and 2 year old bucks. I don't care how nice a 2 year old's rack is, I'm not shooting it unless I somehow misjudge his age. Even at the last minute of the last day of the season, I'm not killing a 2 year old buck.

3 year olds for this area are in the top 20% age bracket. But I've killed a bunch of those too.

4 year old and older are a bit more rare here. I've killed a half dozen 4s and I'd be happy shooting 4s if that's the best we have. But even a 4 year old isn't really a mature buck and I'd like to shoot some truly mature bucks.

I've shot only one 5 year old. They just aren't very common around here.
I love observing bucks. Unless there is some characteristic of the rack that gets me cranked, I would just a soon shoot some does.

The rack of the buck in the pics does not excite me, but his body does.
He will be thick by November. I'm torn.
I guess I will make the decision when (if) the shot presents itself.

My main point of the thread was to discuss how different they look after velvet shedding.
I think a lot of young hunters don't realize it.
Just about getting to the time of year where this stuff excites me.
Time to buy some more doe tags!

Y'all shoot what makes you happy and appreciate it!
 
Allegheny Tom said:
Here's where I am in my bowhunting journey.
I've killed more than my share of yearling and 2 year old bucks. I don't care how nice a 2 year old's rack is, I'm not shooting it unless I somehow misjudge his age. Even at the last minute of the last day of the season, I'm not killing a 2 year old buck.

3 year olds for this area are in the top 20% age bracket. But I've killed a bunch of those too.

4 year old and older are a bit more rare here. I've killed a half dozen 4s and I'd be happy shooting 4s if that's the best we have. But even a 4 year old isn't really a mature buck and I'd like to shoot some truly mature bucks.

I've shot only one 5 year old. They just aren't very common around here.
I love observing bucks. Unless there is some characteristic of the rack that gets me cranked, I would just a soon shoot some does.

The rack of the buck in the pics does not excite me, but his body does.
He will be thick by November. I'm torn.
I guess I will make the decision when (if) the shot presents itself.

My main point of the thread was to discuss how different they look after velvet shedding.
I think a lot of young hunters don't realize it.
Just about getting to the time of year where this stuff excites me.
Time to buy some more doe tags!

Y'all shoot what makes you happy and appreciate it!
Click to expand...
I was just joking in my original post I completely understand and am in the same spot in terms of trying to only shoot 4 year old or older bucks. Especially since I hunt private and have a better chance of actually seeing the benefits of passing young bucks.

That said, whenever a good three year old comes within 15 yards it takes every ounce of self restraint I have to not shoot.

Last year one came into five yards and I passed, but he saw me and spooked and ran to 15 yards, stopped and turned back to me… and well he is now a very nice looking euro mount on my kitchen counter lol

I have a very, very large buck on trail camera in velvet and I am an eagerly awaiting a hard horn pick to see how much size he actually has.
 
I found his stubby eye guard brother on a property in North Carolina.
That's a cool shot of the velvet hanging off.
As of today, the bucks I hunt in Virginia and NC are still rockin the fuzzIMG_4025.jpg
 
Allegheny Tom said:
Here's where I am in my bowhunting journey.
I've killed more than my share of yearling and 2 year old bucks. I don't care how nice a 2 year old's rack is, I'm not shooting it unless I somehow misjudge his age. Even at the last minute of the last day of the season, I'm not killing a 2 year old buck.

3 year olds for this area are in the top 20% age bracket. But I've killed a bunch of those too.

4 year old and older are a bit more rare here. I've killed a half dozen 4s and I'd be happy shooting 4s if that's the best we have. But even a 4 year old isn't really a mature buck and I'd like to shoot some truly mature bucks.

I've shot only one 5 year old. They just aren't very common around here.
I love observing bucks. Unless there is some characteristic of the rack that gets me cranked, I would just a soon shoot some does.

The rack of the buck in the pics does not excite me, but his body does.
He will be thick by November. I'm torn.
I guess I will make the decision when (if) the shot presents itself.

My main point of the thread was to discuss how different they look after velvet shedding.
I think a lot of young hunters don't realize it.
Just about getting to the time of year where this stuff excites me.
Time to buy some more doe tags!

Y'all shoot what makes you happy and appreciate it!
Click to expand...

My last two years in a nut shell.
Two years ago it was a split brow buck. I had one pic and was kinda underwhelmed. I stalked him in a woodlot where he had a couple does locked up during a rain storm. He ended up being an estimated 6+, although short and stocky.
The deer I shot last year looked alot larger in velvet. Saw him once during ml once he was out and thought maybe another year, but when he walked by at twelve yards, I let the string drop on the longbow. He was 4+.
I feel like I have a good handle on age structure. There are more 3 and 4 year olds around than we think. The ones I'm looking for now must be a bit older....they're ghosts compared to the last couple. Can't hide forever though.
One thing I've noticed is that location can make a big difference. When I hunted 20-30 miles west, where the dirt is darker, the deer were somewhat bigger. Now I'm between ag, marsh and beach. Still some big deer, just not like they are a bit west.
 
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