Will a 3 point always be a 3 point?

[JWP58]

No.....it stays a 4x3 or a 5x4.......and I never count eye guards on a Muley. Seen some great 4x4's with eyeguards as well, but he's still just a 4x4 to me. I've got a buck that hangs around my place that was a 4x3 two years ago, 4x4 last year, and I think because of the drought he dropped back to a 4x3 this year. But he's got huge eyeguards as well........about 6". He's still a youngish buck, I think 4.5 as I've watched him grow each year.

So if its symmetrical you refer to an 8 point (8 points total, 4 on both sides) as a 4 point, but if its uneven (4x3, 4 points on the left, 3 on the right) you call it a 4x3? Why not just call it a 7 point????

 

[realunlucky]

Because no one would know what you are talking about must be tradition

 

[5MilesBack]

So if its symmetrical you refer to an 8 point (8 points total, 4 on both sides) as a 4 point, but if its uneven (4x3, 4 points on the left, 3 on the right) you call it a 4x3? Why not just call it a 7 point????

Because it's not a whitetail.

And my 4 point would really be a 10 point to you because of the eyeguards.

 

[Jon Boy]

Because it's not a whitetail.

And my 4 point would really be a 10 point to you because of the eyeguards.

And my 3x4 would be a 9 point if you count eye guards

 

[velvetfvr]

Good point, I forgot to mention early season coat colour. Again, not every old deer looks greyish early in season, but it the vast majority do.

This old 4x3 will has likely always been a 3 at best on his left side. He is 6.5 years old (we have history with him). He is grey, has a thicker chest and neck, has a larger head, and even though his roman nose is not very pronounced, he has a longer face. The mass is also a bit of an indicator.

This is his running mate. Although he looks like a big framed deer at first glance, he is still young. (We think he is 3.5, but may be 4.5). His chest is relatively thick for his age, but his neck is still thin, he is reddish, his antler mass is limited, and his head/face are small. He will likely display very similar antler characteristics next year. I wish I had a picture of the 2 side by side, because the differences were very distinct.

If I can find more example photos (hopefully not through a spotter) I will post.

The muley I killed this year, was 1 of the 2 great bucks in early August. A forkie was the other. All the other mature bucks were that reddish/brown/orangish summer color. Mine was 2.5 yrs old and I bet the forkie was too.

 

[Buster]

The muley I killed this year, was 1 of the 2 great bucks in early August. A forkie was the other. All the other mature bucks were that reddish/brown/orangish summer color. Mine was 2.5 yrs old and I bet the forkie was too.

I'm guessing that you meant "1 of the 2 grey bucks" in you post? If so, interesting to know. What region were they in? Again, colour is only an indicator, as not all older deer turn greyish. It is just a common tendency in Alberta and BC.

 

[MTNRCHR]

...and Colorado.