blueKYstream
5 year old buck +
For the last 3 years, I almost exclusively hunted this buck (although 3 years ago, I took an old buck that never grew much of a rack hoping to clear room for a different buck). Over the years, I'd learn that this buck seemed to have a split home range. He spent most of his time elsewhere but would make trips back to my place. He'd bed on my place for short periods before moving on.
On the last weekend I could hunt this year, I somewhat resigned myself to once again missing out on getting this buck. When, I saw 8 does and fawns come in to an Osage orange fence row to feed on hedge apples, I figured it was a good opportunity to thin the herd (I seem to have few bucks and many, many does). I took two does Saturday evening. It had me wondering if the deer were lacking quality food, but the hedge apples were clearly a big draw at this time. I went back to that spot the next morning. Shortly after sun up, this buck came in to feed on hedge apples in the same spot I took the two. It was the first time I've seen the deer in person. I ended up taking him at 10 yards. Shortly after, another doe presented an opportunity and took her. It turned out to be quite a memorable weekend. I was happy to have meat to help some others I know that want it and it helped me thin the herd. He was full of corn from somewhere other than my farm.
The odd thing I noticed was white front hooves on this buck. I'm wondering if it had EHD at some point and if that's the reason for the oddity in his rack. I haven't been able to recognize him in pictures from years prior to 2023. It would be interesting to know how old he is as well. I'll do a Euro mount on him, and I asked the processor to keep his lower jaw.
2024
2023
On the last weekend I could hunt this year, I somewhat resigned myself to once again missing out on getting this buck. When, I saw 8 does and fawns come in to an Osage orange fence row to feed on hedge apples, I figured it was a good opportunity to thin the herd (I seem to have few bucks and many, many does). I took two does Saturday evening. It had me wondering if the deer were lacking quality food, but the hedge apples were clearly a big draw at this time. I went back to that spot the next morning. Shortly after sun up, this buck came in to feed on hedge apples in the same spot I took the two. It was the first time I've seen the deer in person. I ended up taking him at 10 yards. Shortly after, another doe presented an opportunity and took her. It turned out to be quite a memorable weekend. I was happy to have meat to help some others I know that want it and it helped me thin the herd. He was full of corn from somewhere other than my farm.
The odd thing I noticed was white front hooves on this buck. I'm wondering if it had EHD at some point and if that's the reason for the oddity in his rack. I haven't been able to recognize him in pictures from years prior to 2023. It would be interesting to know how old he is as well. I'll do a Euro mount on him, and I asked the processor to keep his lower jaw.
2024
2023
