My buddies great buck

I have often wondered where the big bucks go after the shooting starts. Well, after yesterday, I am convinced many of them do not go anywhere. Tuesday afternoon, the guys get to their stand and I begin a slow circle of about 1 mile.  Bumped some does and small bucks to the guys but nothing to shoot at.  Decided to head to one last bench thick with multiflora rose.  Got there and took a 30 minute break for water and oxygen. Little did I know that this guy was watching me the whole time.
 
Only when I started headed right to him and my eyes met his at 15 yards in a brushpile did he make his last mistake and bust down over the hill right to the best rifleman in our group.  I knew he was big when I jumped him but had no idea he was this big. A old Pa. monarch.  He only had two front teeth in his bottom jaw with his molars down to the gum line. Three of his hooves were cracked badly. One ankle was broken and fused.  Just peeking into his mouth I am guessing him at 8 plus.  The taxi is going to save the bottom jaw for us to get a better age on him.
 
My other buddy say him during the rut twice and both times got his butt whipped by much smaller bucks. His age explains it now.  A old guy still trying to stay in the game but sliding downhill fast. I felt privledged to put my hands on him.  Enjoy the pics of this true Pa. monarch.  Here is my buddy and his buck.

The buck as he layed.

And me,  enjoying the moment with this guy.  Glad I was in on it.  I am quite sure this buck has watched me walk those same hills many times. He finally made a mistake and it was his last.

 
 

Just looking at the face you can get the idea it is an old buck..
hardly any brown at all !!!



Congrats !!!!

WOW, super buck!

What part of the country , generally speaking of course, was he taken in? The big one I shot in '99 has a lot of similarities. Crab claw on right side and the brow tines are similar looking.

ORIGINAL: bulldog1

WOW, super buck!

What part of the country , generally speaking of course, was he taken in?

 
This was in western Washington County.  Almost zero pressure on the first day and none on the second.  The least pressure I have ever seen. 
 
Local WCO also confirmed little pressure.  Maybe the split had guys staying home and waiting till Saturday? 

yum yum!!!!
 
Great buck!!!!

Awesome deer! Congrats to you and your friend.

There have been quite a few megabucks taken this season so far, that's for sure.

There have been very few bucks taken in my area but a handful have been bruisers. The 25"+ of snow we got early in the season last year let some get to 3-4 yo. Could be the same thing happening with the current lack of snow saving a few for next year.

ORIGINAL: S-10

There have been quite a few megabucks taken this season so far, that's for sure.

There have been very few bucks taken in my area but a handful have been bruisers. The 25"+ of snow we got early in the season last year let some get to 3-4 yo. Could be the same thing happening with the current lack of snow saving a few for next year.

Good point.

Ironhed

Just saying two front lower teeth are the norm.Nice buck but 8 yo ?

great pictute and story.

That is the most impressive Pa buck I have seen in a long time.

Congrats to you and the lucky hunter.

ORIGINAL: Big Tuna

Just saying two front lower teeth are the norm.Nice buck but 8 yo ?

Really?


As I said most of the front teeth from the lower jaw were missing and the molars on the upper jaw were to the gum line.  Bottom jaw is hard to see without skinning back the cape. Taxidermist is saving the lower jaw so we can get it aged professionally.

YOU said he only had to front teeth with his molars wear down to the gum line. ALL DEER HAVE TWO FRONT TEETH and molars.The 2 fronts cut the molars grind the food,I'm not taking anything away from a great buck just telling you thats normal.The teeth not the wear,not many deer live to 8 1/2 yo in Pa.and I doubt he's 8 1/2.

ORIGINAL: Big Tuna

YOU said he only had to front teeth with his molars wear down to the gum line. ALL DEER HAVE TWO FRONT TEETH and molars.

Maybe we are not understanding what is meant when I say "two front teeth". In the picture above there are 8 front teeth.  Care to clarify what you are referring to as when you say it is normal for a deer to only have two front teeth?
 
I also realize that front teeth are not indicative of age.  Just was cool to see a buck with almost none.

absolutely outstanding beast!  one fine PA buck.

possible. i shot a year and half year old buck this year..and his feet were split up pretty bad too..just saying. he also had a foot injury as it appear he didnt make a jump high enough or even got scuffed by a car.. my assumption was he crosses the road alot and i know the terrain he lived around wasnt "easy" for his feet.

Again, not saying anything wrong, Im just saying in most case scenarios a buck over 5.5 i would bet his rack doesnt look like it should keep growing like your buddies does..and his neck doesnt appear to have flapping skin everywhere like hes crippled.
I'm putting that deer still at 4.5