What should we do?

MichaelJ · Feb 14, 2006

Okay guys here's the info. Me and some buddies have been watching an absolute hawg of a buck this year. I had him pinpointed to where I found him 5 out of 7 times that I went into this canyon, and each time I never pushed him. I've photographed him and such and have some good pictures. However, he dropped his sheds about a week ago and we've sure pounded the hills looking for them. Haven't found anything as far as his horns go, but have found a few two point sheds.

In ur past experience, how far do bucks usually travel to shed their horns? Do they usually drop them and stay in the same area or will they go a few canyons over and return afterwards? I know it depends on the deer, but just seeing if there's anychance that you'd have some advice on something we haven't done yet.

Also, I'm in Wenatchee and if you know of someone that's picked up a set of 5x7 sheds then let me know and I'll go ahead and post my pictures of him that i have when he was still packing. Thanks.

Michael~All Gods creatures welcome... right next to the mashed potatoes and gravy.

Dmanmastertracker · Feb 14, 2006

Mike, I know there are fewer trees there. Look around the base of any trees in the area that show rub marks. Bucks will often rub to help break loose the antlers, you may have already tried that. If your seeing two point horns, your big boy is likely out of the area, as he would have kept those smaller bucks out of his turf during the rut and post-rut. I'd look higher up too, if you can. If you can cut his track on some fresh snow your in business, he should have a core-area right now for the rest of winter.
-D

kirkl · Feb 14, 2006

Just post the pics of him, who cares if someones picked them up. Not like they know where your spot is or even the area your in.

Bornforhorns · Feb 14, 2006

When you say 5x7 are you including the eyeguards? And to forewarn you... but not to discourage, there is a good chance if there are other shed hunters in there and he shed out a week ago... they maybe sitting in somebody's closet. This area has become downright competitive and I know there are plenty of guys out there that will take a weekday of work off to find horns they know are lying on the ground. Post the pics.!!! I maybe able to help you by way of a pm Michael.

Lowedog · Feb 14, 2006

I have those anlers in my closet!

JK

I would definatly keep looking. Check all the feeding areas and bedding areas as well as routes to and from. Don't give up unless you know for sure someone else has them. I have walked passed antlers many times only to find them the following year. Bucks will move around a bit so looking a draw or two over won't hurt. If he was in a pretty well known area and you didn't realize he dropped for a few days then there's a good chance someone picked them up. Like Bornfor said the competition around here is pretty stiff and I too know of guys who either don't work or will take time off to pick up sheds.

Go ahead and post a pick. Someone might recognize them from a set that's been picked up already.

-Lowedog

MichaelJ · Feb 14, 2006

LAST EDITED ON Feb-14-06 AT 10:55PM (MST)[p]Alright guys, here he is. Not too talk, but he's HEAVY (I've seen one of his sheds from last year that my buddy has) and his forks are the best I've seen near the valley.

Not the greatest of pics, but I didn't want to push him too much.

Michael~All Gods creatures welcome... right next to the mashed potatoes and gravy.

YoungBuck · Feb 14, 2006

Heck yeah he is a pretty good one!
Good luck finding his sheds!
Thanks for sharing the pics!
YB

MichaelJ · Feb 14, 2006

Any ideas on what he would score? He's got about a 6"-7" inline cheater on his back right fork, that actually palmates where it meets the fork. He's also got 1/2 cheaters off that same back fork.

If I had to guess I'd say 180"s because of his mass (which the pictures do not do justice), forks, and height. My friend that has been watching the buck also has that right side shed from last year and it's huge!

Michael~All Gods creatures welcome... right next to the mashed potatoes and gravy.

Bornforhorns · Feb 14, 2006

I believe 180 is completely fair and more, good luck finding those. I can be honest in saying I don't have them because if I did... I might not shed hunt the rest of the year...he is a pig!!! Good Luck Michael J.! Post some pics if you find them.

I do know of one guy that I will not name that claims while he was out last weekend he glassed a guy on the ridge above him carrying two very, very large antlers... I would say those classify as that. Maybe somebody local is holding out on us. hmmmm? I'm gonna have to make some calls.

MichaelJ · Feb 14, 2006

Bornforhorns, I sent you a PM. When I first started watching this buck I guessed 190"s, but since I was so dang excited I think high 180"s is more accurate. lol

Michael~All Gods creatures welcome... right next to the mashed potatoes and gravy.

golfguy0912 · Feb 15, 2006

micheal, i sent you a pm, i think we might have been watching the same deer this winter, depending on where in the valley that deer is

Lowedog · Feb 15, 2006

That buck looks like he would be pushing the 190 mark to me. Great forks! I have heard of this buck I think. I don't shed hunt that area but I know those that do. I will keep an ear open and let you know. One things for sure, Duckfevr doesn't have them or we would have seen pics.

Todd, I heard the same thing of some one being seen packing a large set of antlers. Did you hear it from JB?

-Lowedog

Bornforhorns · Feb 16, 2006

Yep! That's who I heard it from Mark.

AntlerKing · Feb 16, 2006

If he's in Northern Utah I would suggest looking under 26" of new snow...You might find it

duckfvr · Feb 16, 2006

nope i aint got em I know were that buck is a buddy nof mine has some pretty good pics of that deer but I am going to stay out of there you guys go and get em post some pics if u find them and dont forget his one side from last year is still up there I think

MichaelJ · Feb 16, 2006

Duck, yeah, my buddy has his right side from last year. It's HUGE! I'm headin up there this weekend, gonna move a canyon over maybe, but it's FREAKIN steep!

Michael~All Gods creatures welcome... right next to the mashed potatoes and gravy.

lv4huntn · Feb 17, 2006

MichaelJ
I am in the same boat you are. I have been watching two very large bucks for about a month. One of the bucks has about a 35 inch mainframe and the other was about 28 wide but very tall and massive. I have watched them from about a mile so I didnt bump them out of their hole. Two weeks ago the 35 incher dropped but was still hanging out with the other. Last week, I was pretty sure both dropped, so I went in there. I saw what I am sure were the same two, they were both hornless. I searched in and out up and down in the bowl they have been in, but only found a small 4 point. I think they dug a hole and buried them! I am going back in there today and tomorrow. BTW, it is private ground and the landowner says that no one has been in there. The only other way to get in there is from 5 miles around the backside and there is five feet of snow. So I am sure nobody else has been in there. Anyway, just gotta keep on searching and hopefuly get lucky. I am going to walk every trail and check every bed and if I find anything I will post some pics. Good luck to ya!
Dan