re: Anybody ever hear of old bucks using younger bucks as cannon fodder

If you really think mature deer purposely let young deer walk in to an area of potential danger to observe if a threat is apparent prior to the grown deer entering the area you have lost your mind. Older animals of all species are more cautious, younger ones are generally stupid. I swear you try to make deer and turkeys some kind of mythical creatures that are consistently outsmarting humans on purpose. Then the deer go back to a common area and discuss their success with their deer friends, right? This way they are constantly sharing information.

I’m sorry you are constantly getting your asskicked by deer and turkeys. I hope your luck turns around.

Or maybe you are more of a golfer?

As previously stated it’s referred to as a “Toad” buck. Dr Kroll has talked about it before.

He talks about how a nurture buck will partner up with a buck maybe a year or two younger. The younger buck learns from the older one but ultimately can be the sacrificial lamb. I’ve seen this in action a few times with a particular mature 6pt we let get old to see how big he’d actually get.

I killed one short of limit on turkeys last year (3) in less than 12 hunts so I think I am fine but thanks for worrying about me.