(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/10002/PICT0075.JPG)
Still trying to get a pic of the ones getting into the garden! they just about wiped out one full row of okra, first time they really did this much damage, no need to mention the butter beans, I did my part for feeding the herd this year,
Thats a healthy Deer, Ron.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/10034/WSnightBuck20140914.jpg)
Have you ever encountered such a nice brown color on a set of antlers? They look waxed.
Ugh I can't wait. I'm taking more time to hunt this year. Generally I'm to busy but I'm making time!
Those are shiny and really dark, Bibby. I have a monster I took in Saskatchewan that are almost black they are so dark.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/16734/image%7E6.jpg)
Had several of this guy nocturnal. But he posed nicely during the day!
Looks like he's doing the "Danger! Foot Stomp".
Those all look good enough for eating.
Guess I'll get my cameras out.
I have been lazy this year.
Gets my blood flowing.
Quote from: Bibbyman on September 14, 2014, 09:12:07 PM
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/10034/WSnightBuck20140914.jpg)
Have you ever encountered such a nice brown color on a set of antlers? They look waxed.
We had some like that here about 10-12 years ago when some of the Red Pine trees were about 2-3 inches in diameter!
They were polishing and sparing with the small trees!
I finally saw some horns!!!!!On deer at my house. Been 2 years,if not more. Nothing like what you guys have pictures of,but they was horns.
First horns I've seen during the daytime since a few back in June.
Before 8 am this morning. Hope that is a good sign for some shooting.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/10180/Early_buck.jpg)
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/10002/PICT0006%7E0.JPG)
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/10002/PICT0011.JPG)
Ron, ya got that big boy on the right dialed in on your crossbow? Hope you catch up with him.
If they will only show up during shooting hours. They are right near one of my stands. ;)
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/10002/RCX_0001.JPG)
Caught these two slipping by the camera last month :)
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/14567/EK000096.JPG)
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/10002/RCX_0009.JPG)
Do any of these dress out to over 100 pounds? Looks like I could put one under each arm and stroll back to the truck :D :D :D I've had to half some here to get them home, although I did think about eating them where they lay, the snow gets pretty deep there! BWW
BWW
Probably twice what you think... if they are in the northern US
Depends on age.
I guess it all depends on your perspective and how steep the hills are! I was chasing Chuckars yesterday and swear the mountains have somehow gotten steeper! :D :D :D :D
It's curious to me on how antler colors vary. I've taken bucks that lived their whole life in a cedar swamp in the UP that were the color of Bibby's picture. I've got a nice shooter that I've been seeing around my home that has antlers the color of white chalk.
Last Sunday, he ran across my driveway as I was driving out at 2 in the afternoon. Tonight, I nearly hit him in the road, as I was slowing to turn in the driveway. I've had people hitting me up at the local restaraunts and our High School football games, that have seen him at night and want to hunt my yard.
This one is tending to a scrape - hope he decides to do some tending during the day :D
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/14567/EK000026.JPG)
Looks to be the same buck from a couple weeks earlier
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/14567/EK000122.JPG)
been waiting for your posts vt, you have some dandy's out your way for sure,
Quote from: drobertson on October 29, 2014, 08:14:34 AM
been waiting for your posts vt, you have some dandy's out your way for sure,
Thanks! I enjoy seeing them out on the property and looking for sheds in the spring since they aren't really hunted (no hunting on our watershed property and limited hunting on adjacent land). This camera is hanging close to the boundary with some land that will be getting hunted this weekend :D
Was out this morning and it was "just" past nocturnal time when a buck walked by.
So far, this is what I have. (will go out on the trail in about an hour to see what is at the end of it).
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/10180/100_1634.JPG)
Looking good !! smiley_thumbsup
Yes!
Where's beenthere's buck? I just knew he would show us,,
Still tracking?
Always after shooting time.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/10002/RCX_0006~0.JPG)
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/10002/RCX_0003~0.JPG)
Always, but then the magic moment, when they get stupid,, hope beenthere finds it, the bolt looked like a good hit,, dark blood, but could've been the photo,
Maybe beenthere has gone nocturnal too !!
Sorry, wasn't worthy of a pic.
Well they don't all gots-ta be big. ;D
Worthy of the freezer! 8) that's even better in my book, happy for you, and the season is early yet.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/16734/image~8.jpg)
Last Saturday morning. Should have went to stand instead of cutting cedars!
yep, that one there is a dandy!
Really nice but it looks like a broom handle is sticking out of his head?!
I usually observed that the color of the antlers varied by the amount of sun light exposure. In other words, habitat. :-\.
I guess diet can affect it too. Maybe someone will elaborate.
Back to the subject. Those nocturnal bucks are slick. Best chance is when their in RUT.
I believe it is habitat. But also the sap content of the trees they rub, maple makes a dark color on the antlers too.
The few I have taken north of the border in Canada all have extremely dark antlers, one is nearly black.
When you consider that it is living in an urban area in between Baltimore and Washington this is a very nice 6 point. If he makes it to next year he will probably be very nice!
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/10233/PRMS0121.JPG)
I call this one Half Rack
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/10233/PRMS0047.JPG)
and I call this one Other Half Rack ::)
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/10233/PRMS0041.JPG)
Week end, it looks like you have a nice lil fold going on there, you might as well help out on reducing the vehicle accidents by reducing the numbers a lil ;D
That is my plan 8)
I take a few with my bow out of my sliding glass door every year. Took this one in my underwear! That slider has been pretty good to me.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/10233/2012-04-29_10-57-39_941.jpg)
We had two "half racks" similar to those. I finally got an opportunity to take both of them out. ;D
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/16734/image~9.jpg)
I call this one 1 and a quarter. Lol.
He would have been a really nice wall hanger. Should be even better next year.
Little second rut action going on around here...thinking someone's gonna get an eye poked, just not sure who :D
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/14567/EK000077.JPG)
Good pic vt, a few years ago I got to watch an 8 point put up with a lil spiker, it was hilarious, not much of a fight though, the big one just touched the lil fellows horn and somehow the lil guy just knew better, the big guy just politely followed him out of the area :D
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/10002/PICT0014.JPG)
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/10002/PICT0015.JPG)
These are my favorite deer, and they eat good too.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/35417/MDGC0102.JPG)
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/10002/PICT0027~1.JPG)
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/10002/PICT0129.JPG)
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/10002/PICT0421.JPG)
That looks like a good spot.
Caught this one night before last..about 9 pm.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/10180/buck_10pt.jpg)
Very nice!
Before midnight!
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/10002/MFDC2366.JPG)
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/10002/MFDC3060.JPG)
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/10002/MFDC3081.JPG)
Passing By at Sundown
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/10002/MFDC0052.JPG?easyrotate_cache=1505096348)
Into the Night
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/10002/PICT0027~3.JPG?easyrotate_cache=1505513791)
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/10002/PICT0030~0.JPG?easyrotate_cache=1505513860)
BW.
Pictures can be deceiving.
Some of these boys I'm sure are in the 160# plus range dressed.
I'm in good shape and struggle dragging them boys out of the woods.
Lately we have been lucky and can get a quad pretty close to the last couple we shot. 8) 8)
Out during the early morning. His third year on camera at the old bear baiting sight.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/10002/PICT0141_28229.JPG?easyrotate_cache=1598649415)
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/25189/00000003.JPG?easyrotate_cache=1599244620)
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/43722/0917201529_Film3.jpg?easyrotate_cache=1600397587)
Maybe time to buy batteries for the game cam.
Just After Midnight!
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/10002/PICT0014_28229.JPG?easyrotate_cache=1630881679)
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/59695/D35C6F9B-B499-4651-BBB1-F719EC615AE1.jpeg?easyrotate_cache=1630891612)
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/59695/FE04752A-07B9-4C86-9022-108B9E7227DF.jpeg?easyrotate_cache=1630891612)
Wow! that's a monster!
Whoa! He's been around a few years...
Thats alright, id just marinade him a little longer
;D
After Dark is Activity Time.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/10002/MFDC1601_28229.JPG?easyrotate_cache=1634518229)
Little buck and the birds. - YouTube (https://youtu.be/1LnhkAdEuZE)
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/25189/DSCF0333_28229.JPG?easyrotate_cache=1634772326)
Ive seen pitchforks with shorter tines!
Bucks are coming out in the day now, and stalking the trails for doe. Not crazy yet.
Here are a few bucks the last two days from one trail cam. Another Rumble video.
https://rumble.com/vohalj-two-october-days.html (https://rumble.com/vohalj-two-october-days.html)
Nice ones!
I went to go move a camera to a better spot, hiked down into a steep hollar bottom with a creek crossing. 3 big scrapes within 50 feet of each other on an old skidder trail. Hope to see what loverboy looks like.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/25189/DSCF0023_28329.JPG?easyrotate_cache=1636227441)
....And this week, they started showing up in Daylight....
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/47942/MUD_0006.JPG?easyrotate_cache=1636278235)
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/47942/MUD_0003.JPG?easyrotate_cache=1636278235)
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/47942/STC_0001.JPG?easyrotate_cache=1636278298)
Yesterday was my Late Dad's Birthday, so I went out with my 12 year old Daughter. She got cold and we came in, but this last pic is of a scrape that is about 70 yards from our blind. I was hoping that she would get her 1st Buck.....
Steve
Friend of a friend chased mr. big for 4 years. Sterling mass.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/43722/received_315085513392505.jpg?easyrotate_cache=1636250399)
@southside
How many wrecked tires is that one good for jim?
Dang! What did he dress out at?
Them horns are huge!!!!
I found sheds maybe half that size.
Quote from: mike_belben on November 07, 2021, 06:02:10 AM
Friend of a friend chased mr. big for 4 years. Sterling mass.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/43722/received_315085513392505.jpg?easyrotate_cache=1636250399)
@southside
How many wrecked tires is that one good for jim?
I bet that Buck got real used to saying: "Excuse me, my eyes are down here!".....
Quote from: Southside on November 07, 2021, 07:46:59 AM
Dang! What did he dress out at?
No idea. Im guessing all the dresses. Or any other measurement metric.
"225 dressed"
Thats one of those phone a friend bucks. You aint draggin that far alone.
I must say I've really enjoyed the members posting the trail cam photos, inspired me to order 2 to see what's out there when I'm not around, I figure I will be surprised! With all the bear, coyote scat, deer etc.
Yes, you will be surprised. Waiting to see your pictures.
I've spent a fair amount of time in Sterling, never seen one even close to that. With the amount of orchards and easy to hide places not surprised he was taken there though.
I'd be more concerned with poking out the oil pan than a tire running over those sheds :D
That's a beauty.
Oh i forgot to link the article. He made the big leagues. Brutus was living where the mountain laurel is. Im telling you guys find that steep bottom full of laurel and youll find racks.
MA Hunter Finally Tags Massive Buck After 6 Years | Field & Stream
https://www.fieldandstream.com/hunting/massachusetts-monster-buck/
That answered my question about free range or deer ranch. Sounds like he did indeed get free range. What did the deer score?? Article didn't say. The reason I'm skeptical when it comes to big deer is that many many people will go hunt a deer ranch and take it back to their state or home and tag it as a free range then end up talking and showing pictures off and get nailed for it. People don't realize it but there are many people and tv hunting celebrities that have been nailed for it. Recently there was a article that Outdoor Life did on a monster that the individual brought to them and they published it and then they did a update article that he did indeed get it at a game ranch. Case is still pending on that situation
I definitely know big. She said she did see a bigger deer 😂. My wife had this guy come by when she was bow hunting and at the time I said don't shoot smaller bucks and she didn't want me getting mad at her taking a shot at this guy and wounding it. I said yah he was big 😂. Long story short a guy shot this deer seven miles away the next year and it was the top ten deer in the country in Outdoor Life several years ago
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/59695/37CFF83A-A850-48DD-A2C3-304B15E7E57A.jpeg?easyrotate_cache=1636582190)
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/59695/50CBF3AD-E074-45EF-B096-7ADC44080D12.jpeg?easyrotate_cache=1636582189)
Quote from: mike_belben on November 10, 2021, 03:26:52 PM
Oh i forgot to link the article. He made the big leagues. Brutus was living where the mountain laurel is. Im telling you guys find that steep bottom full of laurel and youll find racks.
MA Hunter Finally Tags Massive Buck After 6 Years | Field & Stream
https://www.fieldandstream.com/hunting/massachusetts-monster-buck/
That whole area of north central mass is full of mountain laurel. I've helped retrieve more than one from the thickest laurel you can imagine, it's the epitome of fun stopping after the shot. Absolutely miserable dragging one through it
Out before Midnight!
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/10002/MFDC1695_28229.JPG?easyrotate_cache=1636940398)
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/10002/MFDC1694_28229.JPG?easyrotate_cache=1636940349)
This one showed up last night not 50 yards from the cabin. Ya gotta wonder what was the predicament he had got himself into.
The Broken Buck - YouTube (https://youtu.be/POdSvFU6_qk)
I came so close to hitting one at 6:25 am yesterday morning on the way to a mobile sawing job that I had to jerk the truck and mill over on to the shoulder to miss him. When I stopped I checked the loading arms for blood and hair to make sure he had not run into the mill. About 4 miles from the customer's site I saw a buck with only one antler. This morning just after 7:00 a.m. near the same site a big buck was running down the road and I followed him for 50-60 yards till he got past some high banks and fences he could not jump.
Monday starts our rifle season so hopefully they will still be as active.
The rut is full on here right now too.
The Broken Buck day two! I have him on 2 cameras in two different spots throughout last night. I have two more game cams I might try and put out on trails between the other two. If I get one where he doesnt have the antler, I might then know which way to start looking for it. No sound on the gamecams so I chose something for the video. It was the right length. ;)
The Broken Buck Day 2 - YouTube (https://youtu.be/O-B28HYA1d4)
Must've had a decent headache after whatever caused that.
He was probably just a nice, normal buck in early velvet when some Noggie came along and dropped a mushroom tree on him while he was sleeping and broke that side. :D
I wonder what it did to his skull and the ability to have a normal antler in coming years? You really can in no way count on a deer being here any time in the future. snow and predators are the determining factors here. I get to know deer seasonally here, but have never had a deer we could identify as being around the year before.
He will be a non typical down the road after the injury
Interesting. An odd one for sure!
I watched that a couple times is it just me or does that antler appear to wiggle a bit? Definitely an odd injury
It's wiggling
I think it's busted off at the skull. Hopefully not including the skull. I stiil want an up close look! Im out here now. First time to take the camera hunting this year. Now, time for a nap.
Hopefully the little guys ok
Um...
Guess it could be possible there isn't, but seems like there would have to be a piece of skull attached. They are tough animals.
maybe it's shot through.
Still has his girl friend smiley_gorgeous
It may not be an injury at all, save for maybe an impact that jarred it loose prematurely...
I've seen and heard of bucks in the UP that shed their antlers pretty early, and he may have hit a tree or tangled with another buck, and it's just hanging by some soft tissue waiting to separate. I occasionally get to hang with the guys at a Hunting Camp not too far from you, Jeff- and they've had antlers come off in their hand as they're dragging their deer (this time of year).
There's only one way to find out. Jeff, harvest that beauty (he definitely meets the Antler Restrictions requirement), and do a forensic analysis. Is it a traumatic scull injury, or is nature taking its course?
Please advise.
Steve
Several years ago I found a "shed" that had a small tear of skull attached and plenty of blood around. Of course I have no idea whether another buck helped it come off nor what it looked like the next year.
I had a buck with a broken antler around the house last year.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/18975/_DSC4860.jpg?easyrotate_cache=1637675157)
I'm thinking the video buck has broken a small section of skull and in time the antler(s) will fall off and the left side will have skull bone attached, and the broken skull will heal over time, and next year (if he survives) he won't have a left-side antler!
I feed the deer in the winter time. I went to do the nightly feeding and saw a short branch on the ground. That was no branch!!! It was a horn about 2 inches long about the size of a quarter. Somehow the horn got broken off but grew. The broken off part was smooth. I thought I saw a buck with one horn for a few nights, that must of been the one.
Cfarm that antler won't last long before the squirrels or anything gets to chewin it lol
Nothing like that lasts up here. Even the coyotes will chew on it in winter after they eat the other 99% of the critter. ;D
I was kicking around the woods trail this fall to throw limbs off the trail and found a small part of a bone right there by luck and didn't look real old and weathered. You guys know I have lots of bears and coyotes. It's a vicious world. ;D
Never no bad encounters with bear or coyote SD?
<brjust checkd a camera i set out a week ago. I already took my buck in vt so ill find a doe with my muzzleloader hopefully (https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/18183/Resized_bigbuck_3749851877058.jpeg?easyrotate_cache=1638634844)
theres a macho stud.
HemlockKing, that horn is probably on the stepson's dinning room table. He has quite a pile of sheds that I have found. He gets a lot more enjoyment out of them than I ever would. His hunting buddies come over and they get them out and talk about them. As sawmpdonkey said, I found a shed in the summer too. Was not chewed up much. Looks like only a mouse had found it. He really liked that one too, to add to his collection.
I have been feeding deer for 20 years here. Only in the last 3-4 years I started to find sheds.