What would you do?

What do you think the odd are that he's the offspring of one of those bigger bucks?

How many "really nice" bucks are on the property?

More importantly, how many does are on the property?

You could cull him. But I wouldn't. Not a 2 year old. He hasn't reached anywhere near his genetic potential. I'd feed him well and watch him grow.

No way would I take him, way too young!

Meh, I'm more about protein than horns. But, then, lots of small acreage around me. If I don't take it, someone will.

For me, part of the enjoyment of the hunting season was the challenge of finding and killing "Ol' Biggie". I've passed many a 4- or 6-pointer for that reason.

Meat? Bigger bucks have more meat than little bucks.

Man I wish I could pick and chose. If he came by my stand, he'd be in my freezer not much long after.

That's the deal. Some of us have the luxury of tens of thousands of acres of land to manage, can pick and choose because they run the place. Some of us have what we can afford, small tracts, and share the deer with the neighbors. You're not going to get EVERY neighbor to lay off a 6 pointer if the spread is legal (must be 13" here).

Hell, give me enough pigs to shoot for meat and I won't even bother with deer. Only problem with that is what one can see in my back yard. I just had to disc down the damage and mowing it was a royal pain. But, they're here, so I eat 'em. I've never had the luxury of being able to manage deer, though, never owned enough land. And, heck, rich people can eat T bones every night.

Let him walk. Many 2 year old 6 points will go on to add points later. Not to mention that buck probably won't make the 13" spread antler restriction (or if he will....he's just on the cusp).

A good mature Doe would provide almost as much meat as that buck at this point. Take two does if you want to fill the freezer. Then encourage your neighbors to 'resist' shooting small/young bucks as well...and in just a few years, you will all have nicer animals to hunt.

In any case....at that age ( not yet 2-1/2 yrs. old) you can't declare him a 'genetic' 6 point. Now if he is still a 6 point next year (3-1/2) then....yes, cull him.

Our deer woods has been thinned significanly by bad state deer quota policies, over hunting, bears wolves. and coyotes. I would probably put him on the ground. Haven't seen a buck like that in a decade.

See what he turns into.

I would give him a pass until late season. In December I forget about the empty spot on the wall , and think about the empty freezer,

Let him walk.

I'll never understand the fascination with big antlers. I couldn't care less if it's 1 1/2 years old or 5 years old. Deer are meant to be eaten and I shoot the first adult that walks in front of me.

There is many things that help me choose what deer to shoot:
Have I routinely seen a big buck in my woods?
Do I have any venison in the freezer?
How much more hunting will I be able to do?
Everyone wants to shoot a big buck, including me.
If the buck in your picture walks in front of me in late season, and offers an easy shot with my recurve.....he's in trouble.

ih772 said:

I'll never understand the fascination with big antlers. I couldn't care less if it's 1 1/2 years old or 5 years old. Deer are meant to be eaten and I shoot the first adult that walks in front of me.

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This is my thoughts as well, I hunt for meat and body size and age (younger) means more than antler size. I can not understand the thought behind shooting the biggest, bestest buck out there anyway. I have never known a rancher to shoot his prize bull, he keeps him around for breeding. The younger, smaller ones go to the market.

LOLBELL said:

This is my thoughts as well, I hunt for meat and body size and age (younger) means more than antler size. I can not understand the thought behind shooting the biggest, bestest buck out there anyway. I have never known a rancher to shoot his prize bull, he keeps him around for breeding. The younger, smaller ones go to the market.

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I agree. It's about the brag story, not the hunt, for some.

If I had other possibles, I would wait for another year myself from a deer management point of view.

The deer is likely about a year and a half old and that is the first rack he has ever grown. No way to know what he will be if he makes it a couple of more years.

I'd let him pass on by.....let him get fatter, meatier.

Captcurt said:

Is this a cull?

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I don't think he is. He is young with a square rack, decent frame. He has potential.

Captcurt said:

Meat is no problem where I am. Does are a dime a dozen. This farm is overrun with deer and has some really nice bucks. I kill enough does to fill the freezer. I don't pull the trigger on a buck unless he is a dandy, crippled or a cull. I was wondering if I should take him out of the gene pool? Is this a cull?

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I'm inviting myself to hunt with you this year.

This is what happens when you let 2 different 2 year olds become 4 year olds.

BigBore44 said:

... I'd feed him well and watch him grow.

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This.