Just how common are drop tines?

[jooger17]

TxBlkCld can't kill one unless he's got a drop time. I think that little sucker has killed 3 or 4 drop tine deer. I've only seen a handful, never one big enough to shoot.

[TXhunter91]

Not too common but the past few seasons we've had at least 5 drop tine deer each season. My dad and I have been pretty luck with drops, I've killed 3 and he has killed 4. I still get super fired up when one walks out.

[Mex. Bowhunter]

Wifes deer a few years back. Deer never had a drop his whole life and threw three at 7.5

[AtTheWall]

Free range - low fence - Texas Hill Country

Yup it's pretty rare. I've watched whitetail for decades now, and I've only seen two on Low Fence & Free Range whitetail.

Behind high fences with supplemental protein feed programs and such, the occurrence is increased. Even the horn density of whitetail behind the high fence is increased. Any taxidermist who cuts skulls to remove whitetail horns will tell you, the skull plate is thicker on whitetail that live behind a high fence that have been fed protein during the majority of the year.


Here's one of my shots of one of the two only low fence whitetails I've seen. And lord knows I've seen a ton of whitetail.

More rarer than droptines is, whitetail with split G2 horns - like Mule deer - on both sides with a perfect match. That is RARE!


Here he is...scratching for grub on an open range in the Hills. Bachelor bucking with a very respectful mainframe 10 during September a few years ago. Never spotted him again...this was the one and only time and I've setup in his area for years now hoping = NATHA! Genetics, young-un's and offspring = nothing.

[AtTheWall]

Little Fruitloop here, shows a lot of potential but, he's so young. A one time deal with this deer as well.....never again seen with drops again. And Lord knows I have looked high and low for him too.

His genetics match a big old nasty 8 point buck I watched for several years....straight to the moon beams with major long G2s to take things even higher. The old nasty 8 pointer is gone and some of his genetics are at play but.....double drop gumdrop....NATHA!

[AtTheWall]

This is more rarer....only one I've seen.

Split G2's - perfectly matching Mr Muley!

Free range groceries sure have taken care of this old boy. Only had him dialed in for one single year. And even though I thought I had him dialed in, only spotted him two times with some SERIOUS TIME looking for more.

These animals are lucky I'm only shooting digital

[mmlreiner]

Here's my double split G2 buck. I won't know what he looks like hard horned until tomorrow when I get there and pull cards. Biologist has said to take him this year but I still need to see him in person to decide that. And none of my property is high fenced and I don't feed protein. And I'm in Kerrville

[mmlreiner]

Here's a better picture.

[Jackhunter]

shot a double drop tine, pics will be posted later.

[Chief]

This triple drop was taken off our low fence east tx lease 2 yrs ago

Buddy had this one show up in his back yard this year on 15acres in Montgomery

[LuBowhunter]

Here's my droptine muley

[JGreen31]

Have been sitting in the woods for 36 years and have seen two. First one was a young 8 with a 2" drop. The second one I killed and had 4 drop tines on low fence.

I have hunted some high fence places over those years and have seen a few there, but still not common.

[paigers01]

I have seen 2 on our lease in the last 6 years, and was fortunate enough to get to harvest this one.

[Encinal]

I shot one in 2003. TPWD game biologist told me 1:250,000 bucks have a drop.

ROFL!!!

Let's do the math on that... 4 million deer in the state... Let's be generous and say it's a 3:1 doe:buck ratio...

That means there are 4 drop tine deer in the state. I have at 6+ on my place...

[BigL]

Had one on trailcam last year but personal never saw him.