Convince Me He's of Age

[JCU Delt Ox]

Long story short, we harvested some monster deer on our property last year: 4.5yr old, 5.5yr old, & 7.5yr old and we're just not seeing the patriarchs this year. I've got this guy on camera and would like to harvest a buck if I can find one of age, but I can't convince myself he's older than 3.5yrs. These photos are late October in Ohio, with pre-rut kicking off. My goal age is 4.5+. Let's hear it!

 

[kl9]

He's right on the edge... I can see him being 3.5 or 4.5 depending on general genetics and body size of deer in your area. If he's been eating that corn all year and that is his size I'm guessing 3.5. If I had harvested 3 mature deer on my property the year prior, this guy would be getting a pass. Rut is really kicking into gear right now... might have a bigger one show up yet.

 

[Apple Junkie]

I hesitate to estimate age because it's so subjective, but my guess is 3.5+. That said, this buck is a shooter where I hunt, regardless of age. Good luck!

 

[JCU Delt Ox]

Here's the 7.5 yr old deer from last year, brother-in-law's wife first day of gun season with a 45-70 handload. 178" Gross - 167" Net

 

[bigbendmarine]

If in my neck of the woods I'd lean to the 4 side but looks like you're quite a bit north of my locale (FL) so I can see how it might be 3.5 as well.

I'm with you on wanting to let my better bucks reach the 4.5 mark, but will add that it doesn't look like the fellow in the first set of pictures will ever have the genetics to score like the one your BIL's wife shot. Not that I think score's everything, as I don't.... I really like the look of big 6s and 8s... if me, I'ld be asking if the rack's worthy of joining the bone collection, or if you want more bone mass (irregardless of score) to help decide whether you want to wait another year to see how he turns out (assuming you don't have a problem with neighbors having itchy fingers). Just how I see it.

 

[bueller]

I say if he walks past you and the voice inside screams shoot then shoot. If you are second guessing him when on the stand let him walk.

 

[Native Hunter]

Width in brisket area - slight dip beginning in back - shoulder development - overall body size - bottom area of neck - I see a 4 year old deer.

 

[Bill]

I see 4 and I'd shoot him.

It's hard to recover after a bang up year. The bang up year is fun but it takes a year or so to recover.

 

[Booner21]

I see 4 as well, I am beginning to rethink my strategy and contemplating putting some lower end 3.5 on the green light and letting some bigger 4.5 go to see if they will get any bigger.

Sent from my SM-G920V using Tapatalk

 

[JCU Delt Ox]

Well, I'm headed out this afternoon to hunt the cold front. If he passes by, we'll let the jawbone tell the truth!

 

[Nova]

I say if he walks past you and the voice inside screams shoot then shoot. If you are second guessing him when on the stand let him walk.

^this exactly. With that said I would guess 3 year old. I just don't see enough maturity to give him a 4 year old status.

 

[H20fwler]

He has a thick neck and is showing belly...old enough.

 

[tynimiller]

I personally think 4.5 as well.

 

[John-W-WI]

I'm kind of embarrassed to ask, but how do you vote on the poll? I see the results so far, but I can't find anywhere that lets me vote?

 

[Big Snow Man]

I vote that I should come down and harvest him and put this debate to rest !

 

[bueller]

I'm kind of embarrassed to ask, but how do you vote on the poll? I see the results so far, but I can't find anywhere that lets me vote?

Looks like the poll closed on 11/10. I think the person creating the poll is given options on how long it remains open when they create it.

 

[John-W-WI]

Looks like the poll closed on 11/10. I think the person creating the poll is given options on how long it remains open when they create it.

I told you I was embarrassed to ask

Thanks,

-John

 

[JCU Delt Ox]

I haven't had the opportunity to get out much, and he hasn't passed by my area yet. We've got a firearm weekend 12/17-12/18, so I'll have another opportunity to give it a shot.