What's Your Opinion ??

[FOsteology]

Hunting a new patch of ground this year, and this is the biggest buck I've captured on camera.

I'm thinking 2 1/2 maybe 3 1/2 years old??  

[FOsteology]

My apologies for the picture quality. This particular trail camera (SpyPoint) leaves alot to be desired for night photo's.








I'm leaning towards 2 1/2 years old.

[vayotehowler]

I would agree , he's fat but based on mass and size of body would say 2.5. still has that short square look.

[HaMeR]

A skinny neck & a small head too.

[iahntr]

I'd say you're correct with one of those guess's. 
Your deer are built a little different then our Iowa bucks, but I'd say
he looks pretty young in those pics. Nice deer.

[FinsnFur]

  No clue.
There's so many things that effect the size of these animals and are different based on geographical location,  I dont know how anyone guess.

Some of the 5 year old coyotes down there, look like our Y.O.Y.

[FOsteology]

Appreciate the input. Had a handful of Texas boys on another Forum chime in, and the consensus is 2 1/2 yo.

Hopefully this young fella sticks around my area, and no one "ground checks" him for another 2-3 years. He'll be a nice buck given time to grow.  

[vayotehowler]

. I am pretty sure he is still young . I had a tall boy on cam a few years back , and most of what i get on cam is young bucks and it was obvious this one was diff. very long thru the torso. In my area if it brown it down. spike buttons doenst matter . drives me nuts have let alot of spikes walk  and everyone else shoots anything that moves

[FOsteology]

My hunting grounds straddles two counties. Both have antler restrictions rules set forth by the Texas Dept. of Parks and Wildlife as the "brown it's down" mentality was pervasive here as well!

We can kill two bucks. One must have at least one un-branched antler.

The other ("trophy") must have an inside spread of 13" or greater.  This young fella "should" be safe this season..... But since we have no check stations, it would be easy for someone to "fudge".

Myself personally, I prefer to hold out for a mature buck (5 1/2+ yo). However, due to where I'm currently hunting, if a nice 4 1/2 yo buck steps out I will probably be inclined to fill my tag.

[HaMeR]

We've got some nice bucks on the cam this year too. 3 from a 150 acre piece too. The way the land lays I think all 3 might be able to stay on it. Which would be cool. That is a nice deer FOs. I would be inclined to take it if it were in my sites. 

[FOsteology]

He's still a little young. Can't get good bucks unless you allow them the opportunity to grow and mature.

He sure does have some length on his tines. Should be a nice buck 2-3 years from now. 

[HaMeR]

That is a nice Buck Fos. I'm more of a meat hunter than an antler hunter. I don't begrudge anybody harvesting what they want so long as it's done within the law.  I would probably still take him. I like to eat.