Two different properties. Brennan’s and CJ’s bucks from the same property…5K acres.
The others came from the property I hunt…2500ac.
Both properties let bucks grow and reach their potential. We have history with most all the bucks and watch them grow through the years. Once everyone got on the same page of passing bucks unless they were 5.5ys old, then we have a season like we did this year.
In the last 4 years my son Brennan has taken 172”(rifle), 176”(archery) and a 154”(archery). I’ve only taken a 168”(rifle) and a 150”(archery). We will shoot older age class bucks that just don’t really score much, but are true trophies just in age alone. When you can take a 7.5yr old buck, you’ve done something. Our peak growth is about 5.5yrs. It seems anything past that and they start to decline. But once they hit 4.5 they start becoming very wise! After 4.5, they become very smart, that’s why we have to play the wind and don’t hunt until you get that perfect wind and stand location.
My buck disappeared for over a month when the rut hit, but I knew he’d be back afterwards and hitting his scrape line he kept up every year. Despite all my previous trail cam pics of these deer on feed, none were taken over the feed. They don’t get that old by being stupid.
We take about 75 does a year off the 2500ac and about 130-140 does off the 5K acres and our ruts are crazy. We’ve put away the archery equipment and are in doe killing mode now. We have lists of people that want deer and processors that want donations…no deer go to waste.
We’ll keep cameras running to see who survived the season and for those bucks that head to other properties about mid October and return late January. It’s always exciting to see future prospects and keep track of them. I had another buck that would score higher than mine, but was only 4.5. He’s been missing a few weeks now, so someone off the property might have gotten their buck of a lifetime. The piebald I’ve watched from a fawn was still around as of a week ago, but haven’t gotten his pic lately. We’ll see at the end of January what next year looks like.
