"JoeBoo" was transplanted from 19A to 13B and was aged at 4 years old.I'm probably not going to post a complete list of the aging data because it's not exactly "my" data - as in, I didn't pay to have any of the aging analysis done and I think David E. Brown (the biologist who I sent the teeth to) may want to use the info for a book he's currently writing about pronghorn (we should have several of our pictures - or client's pictures - in the book!)
The ideal age for a pronghorn, I would presume, would depend on a lot of variables.
If we assume bucks reach their peak horn growth age at 3 years old we would then have to assume that 3 years old is the ideal age (O'Haco's old World Record was aged at 3 years old.) But, if there's no moisture during the buck's 3rd year of growth, then that buck's 4th year may be a better horn growth year.
If you're managing a ranch you'd want the biggest bucks to live the longest so that they could reproduce the longest and spread their genetics. In that case, you may elect to not take the buck during it's largest year in order to ensure large bucks in the future.
Another thing I've noticed - buck's that are in ideal areas are able to maintain giant status for longer periods of time (this should be fairly obvious, but I thought I'd note it anyway.) For example, on The Plateau years ago, bucks would be giant for only one year and then the effects of age (and possibly lack of feed and water) would cause them to regress substantially the next year. In areas like 19A, when the feed and moisture was consistently good (some of this had to do with the ranchers taking care of the cattle) the bucks would maintain a score of over 90 inches for 2 or 3 years fairly regularly.
So, if you find a giant buck, shoot it if you're in a bleak area and you have no chance at returning next year to hunt. If you're in a great area, you may pass and wait for next year (provided it's your ranch or you at least know that the buck will be there next year for you to hunt.)
Also, if it's an area that you scout hard every year and you spot a giant buck that you've never seen before it may be a good idea to pass and let the buck grow! If you've never seen the buck before it's probably only 2 or 3 years old and if the area is good the buck may continue to grow.
Passing on bucks is usually not something we do or recommend very often because of hunting pressure, predators, the fact that we can't forecast the future, etc...
I'll post more info as questions are asked or as it comes to me. :)
Tally Ho!
4 comments:
Since it is kinda slow right now, How is your fantasy Baseball team doing? Is A-Rod going to hit 60? Will the D-backs ever win again
My fantasy baseball team is in first place as of right now, but it's only been 24 days so I'm trying not to get too excited just yet. I have Jose Reyes and Carlos Beltran helping out quite a bit.
I think Arod will hit 60 this year. I look at it like this - he's going to break Barry Bonds home run record before he retires and he's also going go down in history as one of the all-time greats. Players who accomplish those two feats are players who hit tons of home runs. That's my backwards way of looking at it for today.
The D-Backs will most certainly win again, but not at the pace they started the season with. They just don't have the offense, yet. Once Hudson and Byrnes start cooling off their offense is mediocre, at best.
Speaking of the D-Backs, I'm going to the game tonight! They're playing San Diego and I have Marcus Giles on my team so forgive me if I seem to be rooting for the other team - I'm really not, I'm just rooting for Giles. ;)
On an antelope note - it looks like we'll be making our first run to New Mexico early next month. Provided something else doesn't come up I'll definitely have something exciting (I hope!) to post when we return. If it's not exciting I'll post it anyway.
Speaking of the D-Backs, Eli,
I have 4 tickets for sale for Saturday's game. I sent you an email earlier. Let me know if you are interested. I will be there a couple rows behind the seats that I have for sale.
A-Rod will hit 60 this year and if they can get their pitching staff put back together, they will be very hard to beat!
I have been saying for a couple years now that it doesn't really matter what Bonds does because A-Rod will hit more Homers than Bonds and Aaron when it is all said and done. Bonds will probably break that record this year and hopefully he will then retire and go away. He won't be the home run king for long though, because A-Rod will, in my opinion, beat the record by a lot.
Can't wait to hear the preliminary prognosis from New Mexico. Should be a good trip for sure!!
Post a Comment