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Handling velvet buck

2,136 Views | 18 Replies | Last: 17 days ago by Jtd08
Zheinsohn
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8:52p, 9/24/24
AG
Looking for some insight with MLD/Bow season opening this weekend...

I will be hunting a buck this weekend that for the last 4 seasons has held his velvet until the second weekend of October.. IF all goes as planned he is on the chopping block after reaching 7 y/o and finally lining up as a typical 12 point. I figure not many people get a chance at a velvet whitetail in Texas, so if I get the chance I want to make sure I handle things right.

If things go well, are there any tips beyond obviously being careful with handling and getting the rack into the cooler/freezer ASAP?
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ttha_aggie_09
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9:02p, 9/24/24
AG
I'd be careful about how much contact/pressure the cooler has on the antlers but that close to hard horn is probably not a big deal.

I would make sure you have a taxidermist that can freeze dry the antlers.

Good luck!
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Zheinsohn
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In reply to ttha_aggie_09 • 9:09p, 9/24/24
AG
We have a deep freezer and a walk in cooler at the ranch so space to avoid contact shouldn't be an issue... I guess i just wonder if id have enough time to drive from Laredo to New Braunfels without any issues if it was frozen when i left
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bassmaster07
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9:17p, 9/24/24
AG
There is a spray I have heard of but don't know name.
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ttha_aggie_09
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In reply to Zheinsohn • 9:18p, 9/24/24
AG
I highly doubt it. Plenty of guys are smoking velvet axis in the heat of summer and I don't think they have issues.
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44mAG
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10:05p, 9/24/24
AG
Should be fine. The taxidermist will send it off to get freeze dried and they don't necessarily take the best care of the horns after you hand them off. Just try your best to not handle them too much.
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nealan
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10:12p, 9/24/24
I invoke rule 1
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SanAntoneAg
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10:16p, 9/24/24
AG
Don't know if you're planning on taking it to Double Nickel in NB, but they did a great job on an axis in velvet I took 9 years ago. The antlers still look great on the wall. Granted, I took the buck in February, much cooler outdoor temps.
Gig 'em! '90
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Jtd08
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10:53p, 9/24/24
AG
You should be good to go. I'd recommend getting it into the walk in cooler fairly quickly, and then keep it either in a cooler (if you've got one big enough), or in the air conditioning inside your vehicle for the trip back. Have done this for a couple of axis bucks (inside the truck cab) in June and July within the last couple of years, and had no issues.

Just do your best not to damage it while working on the deer; that velvet can get pretty thin late in the growing season, and can tear easily. Also, do whatever you can to keep blood from the carcass off of the velvet.

Good luck! Hope you knock him down.
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cupofjoe04
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11:46p, 9/24/24
AG
I shot a velvet mule deer once. Had it at my house overnight, and took it to a friend who is a taxidermist the next day. He injected it with something, sorry I can't remember what. Injected all over and put the liquid in between the velvet and hard horn underneath. Then I took it back home and put it in my freezer for a few weeks. It's been hanging on my wall for 7 years since, and looks exactly like the day I shot it. Been through some cross country moves too, not fragile at all.
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Zheinsohn
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In reply to SanAntoneAg • 10:07p, 9/25/24
AG
That's my plan!
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AggielandPoultry
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2:12a, 9/27/24
AG
I "hear" formaldehyde works great. But getting a bottle might be difficult.
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Zheinsohn
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8:39p, 11/4/24
AG
Well things didn't happen how I hoped but never the less the deer is down. Had a botched shot opportunity 3 weeks ago and hit him square in the brisket. Followed blood for 800 yards over the course of 5 hours and never found him. 2 weeks later he showed back up on camera after countless hours of searching for a carcass.

Last night I got a shot at 235 yards with 3 minutes of legal light left and let it fly out of the .308. Square in the shoulder this time and he expired within 30 yards.
Clean 12pt that taped out at 149 7/8". Biggest buck to date and on my last sit before I welcome my first son at the end of the month!
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normaleagle05
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In reply to Zheinsohn • 8:56p, 11/4/24
AG
Nice deer. Great story that he evaded the velvet treatment by the skin of his teeth. Got him, on his terms.
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Zheinsohn
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In reply to normaleagle05 • 8:59p, 11/4/24
AG
He has been known as ghost.. he was the first buck I ever laid eyes on at this ranch and I knew right then and there that I wanted him. I let him get old, est. 7.5-8.5, no younger than 7.5. He was an old, smart deer, that I lost a lot of sleep over in the last 6ish weeks trying to get him down and wondering where I'd find his carcass. Glad it all came together
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tandy miller
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In reply to Zheinsohn • 8:59p, 11/4/24
AG
Hell of a deer. He's still holding on to a little of that velvet!
FJB
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Zheinsohn
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In reply to tandy miller • 9:08p, 11/4/24
AG
Not as pretty as it was a couple weeks ago but no complaints here haha
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SanAntoneAg
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9:19p, 11/4/24
AG
Congrats!
Gig 'em! '90
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Jtd08
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11:22p, 11/4/24
AG
Congrats! Great looking deer
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