I know he made it through the 2014 season because I got pics of him in January as well. This photo is late december and it shows his body more than other photos. Granted, I do realize he could have died between January and now. SE Oklahoma deer.
My answer is with Herm's he's 3 1/2
Sleek body, chest is not protruding out, no sag in the back, looks like a racehorse with great genetics. Great deer!
BTW, only an opinion :)
This buck will be very tempting as a 4.5 year old. Can't wait to see what he grows this season. Actually, I hope I don't see him this fall by one of my stands. I'd like to see him make it to 5.5.
To judge this buck I actually used neck to nose relationship more than any other attribute.Marginal areas usually will have to give up some body mass to grow an above average (vs age class) rack (like this buck).
At 3 1/2 a good rack for age class buck will be a little light in body mass and even a little so at 4 1/2.
Frankly,when I scroll up and make the rack disappear and just judge his body he looks 2 1/2.However when you see his rack and realize his nutrional load he bore you realize he has to be older.His neck/nose doesn't allow me to bump him up to 4 1/2.
Just my homespun and windy thoughts on it.
A little background on the area.... They primarily feed on natural browse and of course load up on acorns (white oak, red and pin) in the fall. There are no crops in the area. I'm sure some of the neighbors feed corn, but we do not. Somewhat flat and bermuda and native grass fields with 50/50 mix of hardwoods and black jack. One major tributary as well.
Do you have to add lime fairly often?I would think so.....but pockets do exist
So, is a naturally high soil PH correlated with large antler growth?
Here's something that is a little off topic.. When I was down shed hunting in early March, I noticed our river cane is all dying off. We're talking acres of large cane thickets. It's not in just one isolated area either. All of it is dying. It was and is a hideout for the pigs.
To get a good result in your test, call the extension agent in the area and he will give you the probe and the sample bags w/ tags for your information. It's sounds simple but it's more than just a scoop of dirt to get accurate results. They will give you directions or I can.This is part of my Okie State - agriculture education paying off now.
