Thread: Fallow Bucks getting hard?

Originally Posted by whanahuia

Cheers Guys,

Im in situation where have sold the farm to forestry and cullers arrive in couple of weeks, So trying to use as many as I can before that so they are not wasted. But theres a couple of big guys that Id like to let go hard. Trying to have my cake and eat it too so to speak. Went out last night when the rain stopped with a mate and tipped this guy over and all but the tips of a couple of his points were hard.

Attachment 215607

Any guesses as too weight?

The lower tynes will harden first. This is evident when they point and the velvet on them looks like it has dried out. The tips harden last. They need to appear pointed before they are fully developed. So at the time the tips are fully pointed and the velvet on the lower tines looks dry and life less is the earliest the head can be taken. It should then be hand stripped immediately before the velvet dries on