"Daddy I hope you don't shoot a Buck!"

[agtex42]

Those were the parting words of encouragement I received my 6 year old son before I left the house on Friday morning. I had told him the night before that I'd save a doe tag for our trip in December so we could shoot one together; at the time he was good with the plan, but he must have realized overnight that it'd be more fun to be in the stand when Daddy shot a buck!

I had this Mason County deer at my feeder for 20 minutes on Sunday morning, thought more than once about airing him out but figured he'd be a good cull buck to take with my boy sitting right beside me! He was still in his bachelor group, I had the other two easily at 2.5 & 3.5 but I'm having a hard time placing this guy. My gut tells me he's only 4.5 but he's also the oldest deer I've seen in person on the place so possibly 5.5 but I can't get him any older than that.

He won't score well, but his frame is atypical for the area and he's got a lot of character. Would make a neat euro with a cool story behind him if I could seal the deal with my son in tow! Interested to hear yall's thoughts on his age, he's hitting a feeder near a road so I don't have high hopes that he'll make it another year. If given the opportunity someone on our lease will likely ground check him before the season is up.

[agtex42]

Should have thrown this one in on the first post for those who are gonna through the score guess out too!

[Moose]

I think he’s at least a 5 year old, that’s quite a belly for a Mason deer.

[Bowtech38]

He will eat well

[CastAndBlast]

I'm thinking at least 5.5, but leaning older

[texashunter56]

My first thoughts were post mature.

[bustacap]

I hunt in Mason county too...
I think he's 5.5

[Big pig]

I think 5.5 from my years in San Saba county.
I hope he hangs around for y'all

BP

[agtex42]

Thanks for all the replies fellas, I've hunted out on this place for 3 years now as a guest and usually at the end of the season. I haven't seen many deer out there that are in his age class; I'm sure some of that has to do with my timing getting out there, but it's a small property and all the neighbors hunt. I think the only reason this one has lived so long is that he's a mainframe 7 instead of a 10, I'm hoping he makes it til the end of the season. It's been a long time since I've killed a buck and he's certainly mature enough to make me want to cut out some dates on a tag!

[kyleseipp]

Just out of curiosity, what broadhead is that? It is wicked looking.

[agtex42]

Vantage Point Archery (VPA) 3-Blades. They're holdovers from when I strictly hunted with traditional equipment. 175 grains and 1 1/8" cutting diameter, easy to get shaving sharp and the steel holds an edge well.

[Grizzly1]

Definitely mature. Really not a bad deer for the Hill Country. Has some pretty long beams.

[BrandonA]

5.5 if not older. Great management deer