I just love whitetail antlers especially symmetrical antlers, what we call “Typical” antlers. Non- Typical Antlers are often a mish-mash of points having little symmetry. Some like it, but I am not one of them.
I have taken bucks that were 8 or 9 points and a number of lesser bucks and many does. We eat everything we kill and so do my hunting friends.
I am not a quote unquote trophy hunter per se but when I run across a big buck, I don’t hesitate.
I am going to the Lone Star State to try to bag a big-un’ according to Boone and Crockett where the average mature whitetail antler rack is much larger in size on average. This is due to great management practices which include three factors, age, genetics and food.
https://wildlifesystems.com/whitetail.html
I get to bring home the meat too and have 2 doe management tags.
These deer are older and wiser at 4 1/2 and 5 1/2 years and sport average racks of 130 points and there are enough deer to see a few 150 and 160 class deer. It is up to you to be ready if or when the chance arrives.
So here you are on the hunt and you are in pop-up blind and it is an hour from sunset. The does are coming from all around to feed in the field you are in. There are two nice bucks in the 130 class that are feeding with the does and check them out. Your thinking about taking one of these…
Your guide say’s hold on, there may be a bigger buck coming. What!
Your heart-rate just jumped and adrenaline is pouring into your body. Now only 1/2 hour to darkness and two more deer enter the field. Are they bucks? Yep. They look the same you say?
Maybe not! It is here that homework may help in quickly judging your trophy deer before the last photons of light are swallowed by the night.
Field and Stream has a great article to help you quickly judge;
Outdoor Life has a great article too; https://www.outdoorlife.com/blogs/game-changers/deer-hunting-4-things-look-when-snap-judging-buck-field
Practice, Practice, Practice!
Maybe look like this buck from the same ranch last year, all smiles by Randy Bailey. Photo from Wildlife Systems website above.
Or maybe this one taken by Bill Ewanis! Photo from Wildlife Systems website above.
Maybe me this fall with my Weatherby Vanguard Weatherguard in 6.5 Creedmoor, Nosler AccuBonds and my favorite scope, a Leupold VX-6.
Good Hunting!
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