Can you tell already?

elks96 · May 30, 2017

LAST EDITED ON May-30-17 AT 10:39PM (MST)[p]So scouting this weekend I came across a few bucks. In one group there was a buck who was 2 inches past his ears each side not much mass but was not forking yet or turning up. Then a second buck that was real heavy to his ears already first forks and had big balls where I believe the next forks were starting front and rear. None really stood out at first.

In the same group however 2 other bucks to their ears no mass barely forking.

Later that day I ran into another 3 bucks and then that night driving home saw another 6 and none were close to the wide one or heavy one.

My question is, what do you big buck nuts look for this time of year? Can you tell this early how a buck might
Look?

If it matter much this was lower sage/high desert.

elkassassin · May 30, 2017

>So scouting this weekend I came
>across a few bucks. In
>one group there was a
>buck who was 2 inches
>past his ears each side
>not much mass but was
>not forking yet or turning
>up. Then a second buck
>that was real heavy to
>his ears already first forks
>and had big balls where
>I believe the next forks
>were starting front and rear.
>Northern really stood out at
>first.
>
>In the same group however 2
>other bucks to their ears
>no mass barely forking.
>
>Later that day I ran into
>another 3 bucks and then
>that night driving home saw
>a mother 6 and none
>were close to the wide
>one or heavy one.
>
>My question is, what do you
>big buck nuts look for
>this time of year? Can
>you tell this early how
>a buck might
>Look?
>
>If it matter much this was
>lower sage/high desert.

Can You SPLAIN a "Mother 6'?

[Font][Font color = "blue"]I Changed My Signature Just for NVB!
Like 6 Damn Times Now!

elks96 · May 30, 2017

>>So scouting this weekend I came
>>across a few bucks. In
>>one group there was a
>>buck who was 2 inches
>>past his ears each side
>>not much mass but was
>>not forking yet or turning
>>up. Then a second buck
>>that was real heavy to
>>his ears already first forks
>>and had big balls where
>>I believe the next forks
>>were starting front and rear.
>>Northern really stood out at
>>first.
>>
>>In the same group however 2
>>other bucks to their ears
>>no mass barely forking.
>>
>>Later that day I ran into
>>another 3 bucks and then
>>that night driving home saw
>>a mother 6 and none
>>were close to the wide
>>one or heavy one.
>>
>>My question is, what do you
>>big buck nuts look for
>>this time of year? Can
>>you tell this early how
>>a buck might
>>Look?
>>
>>If it matter much this was
>>lower sage/high desert.
>
>Can You SPLAIN a "Mother 6'?

>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>[Font][Font color = "blue"]I Changed My
>Signature Just for NVB!
>Like 6 Damn Times Now!

Sorry should have said another 6 bucks on way home.

JakeH · May 30, 2017

That heavy buck with all four forks starting is going to be a stud. Unless something happens to stunt his growth just imagine how deep those forks will be once he is done.

That being said the wide one could explode as well, I have seen bucks in mid July that look like they are done and then two weeks later they have put on several inches, where some of the bucks they were running with didnt put on much at all.

Jake H. BIG BONE HUNTING Page on Facebook.

Moosey69 · May 31, 2017

I think this time of year the only thing that really gives you an idea of the finished product is mass. If you've got the start of a good wide frame with good mass as well and the big balls on the end hes most likely going to be a solid buck. If he doesn't look to have good mass, especially as it's growing in velvet, it's not going to be able to add much mass and develop a good top end.
Elks are you looking in western Co? If so I'm curious on exactly how the deer came through the winter? I've drawn a 21 2nd and it seems like that part of the state may have been spared from bad winter kill.

BBB · Jun 1, 2017

The buck with big balls sounds like a shooter...

Some advice, mass is a strong indicator but never make assumptions this time of the year, especially if you're an optimist, or you may end up disappointed with how they turn up in August.

I've seen lots of bucks out to there ears without any sign of turning up yet, and your imagination can run wild with the potential. Watch and learn but I would say in another couple weeks you'll be able to get a much stronger picture of how they will look come August.

BuglesNGrunts · Jun 1, 2017

For me, early season judging is mainly by the look of their face/body size for maturity. Look for the big roman nose first and foremost; look at the body size comparison, especially in a bachelor group; then start looking for the exact things you've specified above; mass, width and forks or balls of mass that will turn into forks. One thing to keep in mind, some bucks will gain width even after they start turning up and gaining tine length.

Look up the youtube video on mule deer antler growth. They highlight the cemetery buck from around the UofU campus that was harvested in 2013. You can get a general idea of how a true monster compares to a young fork 4 point.