HEADING DOWN HILL???

dblkicker · Apr 2, 2011

HEADING DOWN HILL???

CHECKED OUT THE AGE OF THE BULL I KILLED ARCHERY HUNTING ON THE PAHVANT. JUST ABOUT FELL OUT OF MY CHAIR IN DISBELIEF. 14 YRS OLD. IT DID HAVE A COUPLE OF SIGNS OF DIGRESSION. AFTER IT WAS CAPED AND BOILED THERE WAS A BIG CALCIFIED AREA ON ITS SKULL WHERE MAYBE AN EYEGAURD HAD BROKEN OFF ALL THE WAY TO THE CENTER OF THE SKULL. IT NEVER GREW THAT G1. JUST A WIERD LOOKING BUMP. ALSO HAD A BUSTED EAR THAT DROOPED. HE STILL WAS ABLE TO KEEP 20 PLUS COWS. SO, WAS THIS BULL HEADED DOWN HILL? AT WHAT AGE WOULD A BULL START SHOWING SIGNS OF DIGRESSION? WAS THIS BULL BIGGER IN HIS EARLIER DAYS? JUST CURIOUS. WHAT'S YOUR THOUGHTS? HERE'S A COUPLE OF PICTURES.

greatwestern · Apr 2, 2011

RE: HEADING DOWN HILL???

LAST EDITED ON Apr-03-11 AT 01:47AM (MST)[p]First off...Beauty! Excellent job on an old Master

my guess is that yes, he was at least a bit regressed, from the characteristics of his antlers

that said, I have heard of a documented wild bull that grew his largest set at the age of 15...died at 18

I believe a bull will generally grow his best horns any given year between 7-12, should he live that long

Another observation is that absolute antler size is not necessarily the predominating factor in determining a bull's dominance....plenty of these old buggers who've been around the block a few times certainly know how to handle surly large horned young punks, and this holds true in many ungulate species...experience counts for a lot!

anyway, Congrats on getting the slip on that wonderful old Battle Hammer, and thanks for showing us the great photos!

Cheers'

Muleyfanatic · Apr 2, 2011

RE: HEADING DOWN HILL???

Nice bull, I bet it sure feels good knowing you killed that old of a bull!

TETRA · Apr 2, 2011

RE: HEADING DOWN HILL???

Kicker--that is a great bull!!!I think you got him on his way down...Not 2 take anything away from him ,he is a hell of a cool bull...Back 8 or 9 year ago I killed a cow that division age at 24years old....Never the less sweet kill congrats!!!

B_BOP_A_LU_LU · Apr 2, 2011

RE: HEADING DOWN HILL???

14 Huh?

Good thing He didn't live another 8-10 years or He mighta died of old age & that woulda pissed Pro & the DWR off!

What hurts the most is they'll throw you 14 year old Bull in the 'age objectives' average & issue more permits this coming year!

I spent quite a bit of time on Pahvant last year,3 different trips,I never seen a Bull I could say was heading down Hill from excessive age,no,I didn't see every Bull on the Unit but I'll damn well Guarantee you there ain't alot of them dieing from old age!

Nice Bull!

I don't care if they're big or small!
If they throw lead I like em all!

Gator · Apr 3, 2011

RE: HEADING DOWN HILL???

If I had to bet it would be he was headed downhill, what a great bull to hang a tag on. Congrats.

"I have found if you go the extra mile it's Never crowded".

dblkicker · Apr 3, 2011

RE: HEADING DOWN HILL???

B-BOP, Thats exactly what went through my mind also. My buddy filled his tag also. I'll find out his bulls age. Interesting to see what a few others aged out at.

ELKOHOLIC · Apr 3, 2011

RE: HEADING DOWN HILL???

Bess how are you judging how old the bull is on the hoof. Would you have guessed this bull at 14 yrs?

HorseCreek · Apr 3, 2011

RE: HEADING DOWN HILL???

I never got an age on my 07 archery bull...He didn't have enough teeth to pull out to give to the dwr. His face was really scarred up. I would love to know how old he was but that won't ever happen.

Traditional >>>------->

rmanwill · Apr 3, 2011

RE: HEADING DOWN HILL???

Congrats on an old timer. Sweet bull!!! I'd also think he was on the decline. Odd characterist's could be from the age regression or even the old wound you mentioned. Nice bull, congrats.

B_BOP_A_LU_LU · Apr 3, 2011

RE: HEADING DOWN HILL???

ELKOHOLIC!

I wouldn't of guessed this Bull at 14 from what I can see of him,surely never seen him on the Hoof Niether!

Just so you know ELKOHOLIC!

I have watched Bulls Regress,back when the DWR use to let a few of them live long enough for it to happen!

Bring it on!

I don't care if they're big or small!
If they throw lead I like em all!