shootingduckdog
Well-Known Member
Just setting off out now. Bucks under way !!!!!!!!!
Nice buck in velvet. Mate saw a couple of youngsters but they wouldnt stand for the shot. My evening curtailed by the farmers wife walking quietly up behind me, whilst I sat with my back to a fence post, and shouting "HELLO". Had to go home to change my pants!!!
The joys of SD. When I shoot "trophies" I get slated for being a trophy hunter. Now I have shot a young buck in velvet I am asked why?
I shot him because I have 5 bucks to take from this ground (my own) and I am not interested in trophies, he was in season, he was there he got shot. There are 2 younger ones, 2 roughly the same age and a really big lad that I know of and on the 1st none of them would have been safe although I only intended to shoot one as that gives me at least 4 other days sport to get the rest of my cull. (I had shot 2 fallow prickets else where that morning)
As far as I am concerned each animals genetics are the same regardless of there age and I am lucky that for the last 2 years this ground has had no rubbish on it. Prior to that it was overpopulated and there was evidence of mange, amongst other issues, with the deer there.
It is absolutely beyond me what difference it makes wether an animal is in velvet or hard horn unless you want a trophy or some antler to make sticks etc. As regards his potential, I agree that if I wanted to culture trophies on the ground then he would be a good one to leave but so are all the others on there. I do agree that taking older animals is the way to improve your blood lines but many people advocate taking yearlings when you actually have no idea how they will turn out.
Out of curiosity what was the reason for your question?