Could it be? 9 year or older old buck
- Thread starter themedic
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Buckmaster
Senior Member
Fullbore
Senior Member
I don't think its out of the realm of possibility that this I'd the same buck. Our group killed two different bucks this past season, and both of them were 7.5 years old. Both bucks showed years of battle scars and excessive tooth wear, but their racks kept their same shapes and sizes. Maybe a little bit more mass, but the tine length was very close to their racks at 4.5. 5.5, and 6.5 years of age.
I agree with JD in that the best way to know is to examine those rear molars and the only way that that will happen. Is kill this fugger!
I agree with JD in that the best way to know is to examine those rear molars and the only way that that will happen. Is kill this fugger!
IMO, that buck is Denali's offspring. It's not impossible for a deer to reach the age of 9 but pretty unlikely in these parts. One thing that leads me to this conclusion is he still has too many inches on his head at 9, I would think by 9 he would be way over the hill. Just my thoughts....It's really neat to think about, compare pics, and witness how strong some genetics are! Cool story medic, I wish you a great season and with any luck an opportunity to set your hands on him!!!
No. I only captured one pic of him last week. I moved the camera last night with a big bucket of apples. Hopefully I can get another pic. The double throat patch should be valid indicator.
So you've gathered all this hype from getting two pictures in 6 years? With zero real time with this deer. Id say the odds of closing the deal on this buck is a far stretch of a stretched story. Good luck to you on this "adventure".
Back in 2009 I captured hundreds of pictures of him in a 2 month time period. Thing was I got him on 2 different farms miles apart. This last pic was on the more southern farm but another 1/4 mile or so farther south. Between those two farms is a sanctuary that I belive he lives in. It probably is a long shot but a chance exist. Furthermore, I don't think it's that much of a stretch that a wild whitetail coild live for 9 or 10 years.
DITTO
Here's what I really think. I think that he prolly is older than 9 cuz I think he was at least 4.5 years old 6 years ago which would put him at least 10.5 this year and IMO, his eyes in this last pic show me a tired ole buck. I also believe this year he should be very killible because his eyes and ears prolly aren't as sharp. I also believe his hideout in which he has been spending much of his time over the last 6 years has been taken over by one or two younger and tougher bucks and they actually kicked him out.....survival of the fittest/king of the hill loser let's say.
Plus, the caliber of buck he was, if he were killed or found dead some word would have to have leaked out! This is a 200" buck back in his hay day!
Plus, remember the thread someone posted recently about deer CA kept track of for like 10 years?!? Most of them didn't get all jacked up with stickers and abs but stayed pretty much close to what they were but lost or gained a point and got heavier. All I'm saying is with everything I mentioned above it's not entirely impossible for this to be Denali at 10.5 or even 11.5, he might just have put his survival on top of his list of priorities and succeeded.
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I agree. I always thought old bucks got senile and that's why they started to roam but loosing the prime bedding spot makes a lot of scence. This farm I got the last pic of him on is very huntable and has a great bedding ridge. If he takes up residence there he is in trouble
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I agree, and with Ric, and think it is highly likely it's the same deer.
Medic, you know Steve P., correct? Ask him about the old warrior he kept track of for 8 years that lived in the middle of a very heavily hunted public hunting area. It happens, probably a lot more than we as hunters can imagine. Heck, the good ones Mason and I hunted last year made it through the season just fine, and knowing how much pressure is in that area, you gotta wonder how in the world they do that!
Medic, you know Steve P., correct? Ask him about the old warrior he kept track of for 8 years that lived in the middle of a very heavily hunted public hunting area. It happens, probably a lot more than we as hunters can imagine. Heck, the good ones Mason and I hunted last year made it through the season just fine, and knowing how much pressure is in that area, you gotta wonder how in the world they do that!
Joel
Senior Member
Pretty amazing how the big ones stay out of sight in general, IMO. No idea if that's the same deer or not but I hope it is and hope you get to drag him out of the woods this year. Keep us posted for sure!
Thanks! I hope to at least get more pictures of him. If its him though, I'm going to be pretty upset with myself for letting all those years get past me, sheds getting chewed up and for letting another ghost trick me into thinking he vanished.
Also want to say thanks for all the replies to this thread. I've been taking some heat over on AT. Nice to have a thread stay positive:smiley_champagne:
Must suck wearing your turnout gear to read your threads. I get turned off by AT. Sounds like they are flaming you hard.
I really have no clue. I value some of the valid points brought up by TOO members. I have read them and keep changing my mind. I hope you get him and find out how old he is. If it isn't Denali, I have no doubt it is related to him.
I really have no clue. I value some of the valid points brought up by TOO members. I have read them and keep changing my mind. I hope you get him and find out how old he is. If it isn't Denali, I have no doubt it is related to him.
Ah, I was under the understanding that you only had one picture of this deer back in 2009'. I must have read that wrong.
I don't have any doubt that a deer could live 10+ years of age. The buck I killed last year the taxi told me was over 9 and was the oldest deer he'd ever had come through. I wish I'd put some thought into it, I would have kept the jaws. Upon further thinking (just now) that would have made for a killer skull mount! Kicking myself right now for that!
He's back....started moving a camera in the direction he was coming and got day light pics TOO. I'll cross reference these now with www.wunderground.com/history/ and look for patterns. Hopefully narrow down his bedding area and get something going for opening day!
