What does it take to get this button buck to this size? That's what we will talk about on this page. Age is probably the biggest factor.  The buck on the left was 2 1/2 years old.  The one on the right is 1 1/2.  Living in the area we do, you have to set some realistic goals. Can you grow bucks in the 180 class?  More than likely not, but there might be a few freaks out there.  A more realistic goal would be in the 120 to 140 class, with the bucks being able to live till 4 1/2 years old. Can he do it on age alone?  More than likely not.  Lets look at what age can do to a buck.  The pictures below are from a wild deer.  He would come back every year to a farmer's house and live until the rut kicked in, and would return after it was over. These are all of his sheds.  He died during his 15th year as a racked buck at 15 1/2 years old. 

                 1 1/2                                                       2 1/2                                                3 1/2

                     4 1/2                                               5 1/2                                                       6 1/2                         

                      7 1/2                                                 8 1/2                                                   9 1/2

                   10 1/2                                                11 1/2                                             12 1/2

                 13 1/2                                                14 1/2                                                    15 1/2

So should you let spikes live?  I believe so.  And what about when he was 3 1/ most people would have culled him.  I believe a big buck starts with its momma. Give her what she needs to grow  healthy fawns, and good nutrition after they are weined and they will grow to a jaw dropper. If you have any questions feel free to email me at anytime.  Just click on my name  (Frank Crawford).  We hope you enjoy the articles and keep coming back and looking.  We will be posting new things every few days.

 A good way to keep your kids interrested in wildlife projects is to invite there friends to join them. In 2007 we had a tree planting day and since my girls are in girlscouts we invided thier troop to help them and it turned into a great day. The girls planted trees, went on a nature hike, listened to seminars from USDA rep. Kathern Sells and biologist John Moyle. We also had a cook out to feed all the hard workers. We have another kids day scheduled for May 10 th. Check out up coming events for more info.

TAKING IT TO THE NEXT LEVEL

FINDING THE RIGHT HUNTING PROPERTY

TRAIL CAMERA VIDEO

HABITAT IMPROVEMENT PHOTO JOURNAL

NATIVE GRASSES AND FORBS CLICK BELOW

BIG BLUE STEM

LITTLE BLUE STEM

SIDEOATS GRAMA

INDIAN GRASS

SWITCH GRASS

BUNDLE FLOWER

PARTRIDGE PEA

RAGWEED

Educational Committee

Frank Crawford-Chairman

(423)754-7397

Shawn Eads

Jimmy Absher

Don Osborne

Steve King

Jason McCroskey