Is this the same deer?

[Rob Chipman]

I've followed with interest talk about the 4 pts or better approach to management, and I gather that simply allowing a buck more years of life does not mean that he'll get a bigger rack or more points. There are a lot of knowledgeable guys on the forum so I thought I'd throw this out: is this the same buck, do you think, and if so, is it likely that he'll get bigger or stay the same, due to genetics?

The pics are from this year and last year, same location.

This year:
http://www.robchipman.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/4x3buck2014.jpg

Last year:

http://www.robchipman.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/4x3buck2013.jpg

[The Dawg]

Id say yes

[markt308]

I agree with Dawg. same deer

[Sofa King]

I would sure be thinking so.
not the best angles for comparison, but enough to see definite similarities.
and I usually doubt most pics I see that suggest it's a same buck from other years, but in this case, I agree that it is.

[pville]

He really appears to be the same deer.
I'm going off the overall, but the colour inside the ear more than anything.

[butthead]

na the date stamp is a year apart
it would be bigger the next year

[Drillbit]

He's 10 days early though?

Haha, I'd say same deer, same trees behind too!

[bc_buckshot]

I say forsure and why because it probley didn't leave from the ten days between pictures and what sold me in the first pic it looks like he has a scare or something on his right rear hind. Looks like a smiley face. And the second pic you can kinda see that same line

[tinhorse]

Looks like the same deer for sure. He sure didn't put much on in the year and I'm guessing he is going to put on a bit more mass and maybe add a crab 4th to the left side but will never be a monster no matter how much time he's given.

[Sofa King]

He really appears to be the same deer.
I'm going off the overall, but the colour inside the ear more than anything.

that caught my eye too.
the ear colouring overall.

[Bugle M In]

yup...pretty sure it is

[Brambles]

Same buck 4suah

[kennyj]

I'd say its the same buck. 2 years old then 3 years. He'll be a dandy in a 2 years+.
My guess
kenny

[Rob Chipman]

OK, same buck -good catch on inside ear coloring. I'm going to look for that on other deer and see how much that varies.

Interesting age estimate (I'm completely ignorant of how to age deer) so back to one of my original curiosities: will he develop into more than a 4x3? Or will he just become a heavier 4x3?

Thoughts?

[Drillbit]

back to one of my original curiosities: will he develop into more than a 4x3? Or will he just become a heavier 4x3?

Thoughts?

Never know. Depends on feed and genetics. Doesn't appear to have great genetics to me, but might've had a tough year feed-wise.

[BChunter]

I believe deer are like any other mammals. Some are short, some skinny, some have big feet or hands, some have small bodies, etc. Food and minerals must play a large part too.
Chances are good this buck may never get much better and many probably never get to trophy class. He's a dandy meat buck though!

[Darksith]

same...ear hair colors are a match

[yota]

same deer the right antler has the same shape and the left is the same as well just a little deeper fork now. I think he will get bigger yet he still looks like a young deer I would say 3.5-4.5 years old if he's in your secret spot and no pressure years 5 and 6 should look impressive as long as he has the food, nutrients, and water source to help him grow. a dry spring and summer could stunt him though

[dougan]

No rear fork on off side is different brothers maybe?