Contributors to this thread:
Since trailcams, probably not many summer scout anymore, but I've been out almost every evening the past couple weeks or so scouting fields trying to get an idea what's out there... Usually by this time of year you can see/tell what some of the mature bucks are going to look like... Seen a few bucks, but nothing mature or exceptional until this guy this evening... He's within range of one of my properties...
Sorry for poor quality pix, don't have a digiscope adapter for this cell phone...
He looks really nice! Hopefully he wanders by one of your trail cams. Do you have minerals out? I'm getting some good velvet bucks on my licks with different bucks showing up every week.
Glad to hear your bucks are still around Pat, luv your posted pix...
I don't have any trailcams out now and only place them around the house, which reminds me to active them again at my hanging shed/vine/rope experiment... Also always wanted to place one by this open field vine experiment (photo attached) after watching from the window deer tear it up, but never got around to it...
I used to have mineral lick on property near those buck's location, but haven't refreshed it in a few years... They were in the closest field to my one property about 3-4 thousand feet (1/2 - 3/4 mile) away so likely/hopefully be around come November...8^) Hard to guess though from summer to winter range around there...
My son trail cam scouting.
Maybe, just maybe this will be my year for a truly big buck. Keeping my fingers crossed. Or would be equally happy if one of my sons tagged it.
Got another look at this guy the other evening, he's a 10-point...
Old Reb - Got another look at him yesterday again hanging with his buddy... Think its the 4th time I seen them together and yesterday took a little more time glassing the other buck to discover he a clean 3x3 with a very even symmetrical rack, and probably about the nicest 6-point I can remember ever seeing... Kinda unique and by no means a yearling basket rack...
Also seen something ya don't see often, 2 bucks sparring in full velvet... Both looked the same 2-year old age class and although it wasn't vicious battling, they were tinkling their racks together... Had seen it another time a few years ago in August with 2 mature bucks sparring like that but that was August 8th and assumed antlers hardened enough probably no feeling in them, but this was the first time I'd seen it in July... From what I had read, anthers in velvet are sensitive until they harden and then shortly shed the velvet... Although nearing the end always assumed they were still in the growth stage in July...
Got a couple good ones at my Ohio farm in Carroll County
That closest one is a dandy.
Got a good pic last night of the buck in the background of the previous pic.
Nothing real special so far for me. Always good to see daylight action though.
Here is the other. Thought I posted both at once.
Wow Old Reb, I really like that last WIDE one photoed... Actually, I like all you posted... Good Luck!
Thanks, I'll need it. A trophy whitetail has been my nemesis to this day. Always get pics but never the deer.
Because of bugs I started scouting by sitting in my truck somewhat hidden. Watching fields. It was amazing how little deer cared in summer. I had deer get so close to my bumper I could not see then in the rearview mirror. Almost like in winter when I would get to the car after seeing nothing only to find fresh tracks walking 10 feet away!
Good pics!
This from my family's farm in Ohio (Hardin County). This is a very unique buck for the area. Its rare the genetics around there produce that kind of mass (looking at the bases) and I've never seen a rack that tall and narrow. Unfortunately I always get a couple of nice ones in August (they seem to go "walkabout") and then I never see them again after September 1st. The locals don't seem to give a hoot about property lines and I suspect (?) these mature bucks get pressure so they hop over to some larger parcels a few miles away where guys keep a close eye on it and the hillbilly's away. I've done this song and dance for years now....yet to see one in person, haha
