I was looking so much at the deer I didn't even notice the sun. I guess if I was in the field maybe it would have been different and I would have noticed.

But just looking at the picture I didn't even notice the sunrise or sunset. Good thinking.

Thanks for the great deer hunting site!

John

Well, If it was pure daylight, which one then?

Dakota,

Thanks again for your question.

If it was broad daylight and deer hunting season was open, I would prefer to harvest the huge, non-typical white tail deer.

I would still wait for a clear shot to insure the other buck would not be harmed.

Again either buck is spectacular, and I would be elated to harvest either one of them.

To everyone in the Free-Deer-Hunting-Tips.com community, which one would you choose?

Good Luck and Great Hunting!

Marty Prokop
www.free-deer-hunting-tips.com

Hmmmm, I'd have to go with the abnormal buck I think, but both are awesome animals. Do you think that was an anomaly that season for that buck or genetics/normal every year?

God bless Marty and have a great weekend! Turkey season is right around the corner....I'm getting stoked!

Troy

Troy,

Thanks for the great comment.

You asked a great question concerning non-typical deer antlers. Do they grow non-typical each year?

In the case of non-typical antler growth, there are a few factors that determine whether or not a non-typical deer rack will develop the following year.

Injuries to Growing Deer Antlers

Most often injuries to a buck’s antlers during the growth period will produce additional points, drop tines and double main beams.

Generally, these types of injuries will not produce abnormal or non-typical antler growth in following years. Although there are exceptions, if the injuries occur near the antler base or to the skull of a deer, non-typical deer racks could develop in future years.

In addition to injuries to the developing antlers, a skeletal injury in the deer’s body could also produce abnormal antler growth. If a skeletal injury occurs to the one side of an animal, the antlers on the opposite side of the injury could grow differently.

For example, I harvested a very large bodied 14-pointer a few years back. His left main beam had five typical points and his right main beam had nine points. While field dressing the deer, I noticed its left rear leg was club like.

I peeled the hide from his lower leg and found what appeared to be an old break. This, I believe, led to the deer developing an abnormal rack.

Disease can also contribute to non-typical deer antler production and could even limit the antler growth potential for the rest of the buck’s life.

Though I would prefer to harvest the big non-typical buck in the photo, I truly would be pleased with either one. Both are remarkable.

Good Luck and Great Hunting!

Marty Prokop
www.free-deer-hunting-tips.com

Wow either buck is remarkable. I would harvest the typical buck not only because it's huge, but its main beams look perfectly symetrical and almost everyone of the antlers are perfectly symetrical all except the brow tine's and there only about an inch or two from being symetrical.

Zachary

Marty, to tell you the truth I think the big buck that I shot last fall looks better because I know it is going to be on my wall soon. LOL

Coming back to your question, I like the non typical buck.

Where is it from? How often would a deer hunter see someting like that in a life time?

I also think it would be legal shooting time for me, but, I might wait for the right time for the best shot. As long they dont start moving.

Marcel

Marcel,

Thanks for your comment.

I can appreciate your thoughts concerning your big buck and it going onto your wall. Your buck is indeed a nice trophy.

I know of a few deer hunters who see big non-typical bucks every year. Those hunters, I feel, are the exception and not the rule.

I have been deer hunting for over 25 years, and to date, I have not seen a non-typical that large while out in the deer hunting woods.

To increase a deer hunters odds of seeing deer of that caliber, he or she has to do some serious scouting and patterning of deer.

Nature plays a huge role in creating large antlers.

Genetics, nutrition, stress and injuries all have a factor in antler growth.

Again, either deer is remarkable. I would be thrilled to harvest either one.

Good Luck and Great Hunting!

Marty Prokop
www.free-deer-hunting-tips.com

without a doubt, i would harvest the one on the left. i would do this because i know that both of them score high, and the one in the left would also have sentimental value because it has a unique antler shape w/ tines all over the place

Without a doubt, I would harvest the one on the left.

I would do this because I know that both of them score high, and the one in the left would also have sentimental value because it has a unique antler shape w/ tines all over the place.

Reno