Aging Bucks - Stained bands on forehead

[BenAllgood]

Dr. Kroll says dark stained bars on the forehead of a buck means he's at least 4.5 and no youngerthan that. I know I've seen this with some bucks. I can't say I haven't seen it in younger bucks. What have y'all seen?

 

[T-Max]

This?

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[BenAllgood]

This?

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Yes

 

[Hoytvectrix]

This is a buck I filmed a few hours ago. In person I thought he was 3.5 at the oldest, but the more I read about aging bucks the less confident I have other than two categories: Immature or Mature.

 

[T-Max]

Yes

Cementum aging said 6.5 on that one, so the theory holds true in my instance.


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[Turkey Creek]

Maybe it has some bearing regionally. Deer colors vary a lot. I have seen a number of older bucks that are almost blonde on the forehead.

 

[Bill]

This is a buck I filmed a few hours ago. In person I thought he was 3.5 at the oldest, but the more I read about aging bucks the less confident I have other than two categories: Immature or Mature.
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He's 4 a 3 YO MO deer is skinnier in the flank area. Also seems to be one of our shorter statured deer.

 

[SwampCat]

Dr. Kroll says dark stained bars on the forehead of a buck means he's at least 4.5 and no youngerthan that. I know I've seen this with some bucks. I can't say I haven't seen it in younger bucks. What have y'all seen?

Is that stain removed in the tanning process? I am looking at nine bucks on the wall - all at least 4.5 - and none of them have it

 

[BenAllgood]

Is that stain removed in the tanning process? I am looking at nine bucks on the wall - all at least 4.5 - and none of them have it

I'd imagine it could be due to it being from a deposit. Here's where he explains his theory: