A spider made a web over the game cam, but you can still see most of the deer. What do you think? Will he meet AR?

With his ears like that he will.


BOOM

LOOKS high and tight but I think he'll make it !

deer always look wider from behind....

be careful.

Sorry... this deserves a "Thats what she said"

It stinks you gotta worry about it with a buck like that.

I'd bet he'll make it.

Not even close. DO NOT chance it with this one.

He will make it for sure, the right side juts out considerably and his ears are almost in the alert position.

Texans, Are you kidding me? I would not shoot that deer. You are a joke and a disgrace to hunting statewide. I hope I never run into you in the outdoors because I would pumble you repeatedly.

I don't think so

If you look at the fence behind him, I count 11 squares. Now, if the squares are 1 inch wide then he does not meet the minimum requirements. If the squars are 1.25 inches wide then it appears he would just meet the requirements. If the squares are 1.5 inches wide then he is 16.5 inches which I don't believe he is. Look at the squares and count them and then go measure them for confirmation.

Spike Slayer, welcome to the forum despite your obnoxious start. Genetics are funny things. Many areas of the state have high/narrow genetics. My lease in the late 90's and early this decade was like that. You would find 14 inch Whitetails with tremendous G-2's. You are stuck with the genetics of your area and you can only improve them over time, possibly, by selective harvest. If there was one 18 inch buck and 10 14 inch bucks, doesn't it makes sense to leave the 18 inch for a couple of years and shoot the smaller ones?

Nice first post and by the way the word is pummel not pumble, and I really doubt you could pumble anyone.

Shoot him if you like him

This deer will not make it.

To the post above, it is funny how genetics work. By that I mean it is a shame a 2 1/2 or 3 1/2 year old deer don't have large wide racks like the older 4+ year olds.

There is nothing you can do to improve genetics over time, especially on low fence areas. What you can do is let them get the milk off of their lips and get older. Can't shoot every 2 1/2 or 3 1/2 year old buck you see or else all of your bucks will be in the young age class which equals less then 13" wide racks. Note to all AR lovers, there are a few exceptions but few and far between.

I would let him walk.......

Well it sounds like most everyone thinks he won't make it. I think he will but it would be close, so let him walk. He definately looks like an older buck with that belly hanging down. He's had some beers in his time.

Looks like he'll make it, gotta agree about the saggy belly, looks like a sway in his back also. Like the spider in the pic too.

I wouldn't risk it, but that's just me.

I apologize if my previous post came off as obnoxious. It is just a little frustrating when hunters, like the public land hunter, want to shoot the first thing they see with antlers. I have hunted in east Texas since 1993 and every year, on opening morning, it seems like someone brings in a young deer that has not fully matured and who had potential of being a good buck with time. I know it has a lot to do with the type of hunters your around, but let's not be so quick to shoot the first thing with four legs public land.

Spike Slayer,
I know you think this forum is a joke, a place you can rip on other people, but it's a great place to get tips from seasoned deer hunters if you're serious. Yes, I hunt public lands but I've also hunted many different leases across the state.

I have great respect for those who hunt public land because the deer are pushed harder and in most cases there is no baiting allowed. A truer (sp?) form of hunting, there is not. I'll put my hunting skills up against yours any day.

Not everyone has the money to ponny up for a nice lease so I take issue with your "frustrations" about what deer hunters take. I follow the law (AR included), and do not take deer considered illegal; however, I'd like for you to tell a man in the face whose hunted all his life to feed his family that your "frustrated" he took a barely legal buck because you think he shouldn't have.

Please, if you don't have something constructive to say don't bother posting.

spike killer, I understand what you're saying but that is not a pencil thin 12in 8pt, that is a nine point with a kicker and character. He is not a trophy to everyone, especially with a gun, but were we hunt that is a decent buck with a bow. here is a day pic of the same deer from the front. If that deer does not make you think then I want to hunt where you hunt.

I try to look at the age of the deer before I ever focus on the antlers. If he appears to be young, I prefer not to shoot him even if he is legal and has a huge rack. If I'm going to shoot a buck I would like him to be at least 3 1/2. I can't always be sure and I have shot deer that, on closer inspection, were younger than I first thought. But my old lease saw little pressure and even 3-4 year old bucks didn't have as wide of racks as you would expect. thhey were tall though, much like the deer in the picture. I can't tell from that picture but this one looks young to me. I do see the swayed back but until I see the face I just can't tell. I guess that is what I have practiced looking at the most. I have been fooled by the belly before, but that is just me.

He will make it. Stick him.

The most impressive thing to me is the spider and its web.