living in central IL. all my life, I've been lucky to let bucks go for years and watch them grow- I've found that on average, a buck here does not show his genetic antler potential until 5 1/2 years of age-Boone and Crockett Club has stated in writing, that the average buck that makes the all time record book, will be a MINIMUM of 5 1/2- I've seen bucks gain 45" from 3 1/2 to 4 1/2, but 5 1/2 is when the Mass comes on. Many bucks peak out at 6 years of age-probably most, but some have even exploded from 6 to 8 years of age- One things for sure, you can not-in any way- tell what a bucks antlers will eventualy look like when he's only 2 or 3- Many don't put on the abnormal points until they get older, 6 1/2 and later-they usually loose some typical frame at that point when they grow the abnormals. And many, no matter how long they live, NEVER WILL be a high scoring deer! They are like people, most babies won't grow into a size fitting the NBA or NFL. Most of us will just be "Average", like a whitetail buck!

But kill him young, and you'll never know!

I have a big 8pt and a big 9pt I was saving to hunt this year. I was a little disappointed they didn't grow that much. Maybe they have some growing left to do. If each added 5 inches from last year I would be surprised. I did however spot a whopper a few nights back about a mile down the road. Looks like I'll be waiting for him to cross my fence.

I agree with walmsly. A couple of years ago I was hunting and saw a young buck with his front leg about blown in half. I decided he wouldn't live much longer and it was the last day of season so I shot him. He was a mule deer that was 2 1/2 years old. He scored 150 inches. If whoever wounded him would have let him grow to his potential he probably could have been big for SD. I suggest you let them grow if you want a big buck.

I love this stuff!

I've been watching 3-different Monsters for the last 3-years,two of them are twins. They have muscular bodies that I've never seen on bucks before,real healthy specimens.They have chocolate main-beams with 16-inch,plus tines,and a good 24-inch spread.
The last 4-inches of their tips are wheat colored. The tines are so thick,I named them the Broom-Stick Chocolate Twin Bucks!

I actually got a shot at one with a new muzzle loader, at 148-yards, but pulled off.

The other Bruiser,has an all, extreme white rack,and his tines are even larger. His tines are as thick as they are massive. The next door neighbor got a shot at him, last season and knocked him down. An hour later,when he rode his ATV to the spot where he fell,he was gone. No blood was found which causes me to believe that he hit him in the huge rack and stunned the big guy.

I'm sorry to say,I haven't captured any of these Bruisers on a trail cam yet,but I know two of them are still there.

Scott,those are great trail cam comparisons.

C'mon September 6th!

Even better, if you're lucky enough, you'll witness a buck that used to get beat on and chased off, even by the big does, turn into a seemingly 'roided out buckzilla and stomp the snot out of all the other bucks. From wimpin' to straight doe pimpin'.

Great Pictues LTW!
What kind of a mineral block were you using?

Thanks for sharing all of the stories and pic guys!! I just got my first trail cam this year and hope to have pics to compare in future years.

VERY good info