What's his age?

[Catscratch]

How old? Guesses and why?

Disclaimer- I don't know the answer.

 

[Catscratch]

Better body pic.

 

[BenA]

5.5+ Older bucks just look different than other deer. That sagging skin below his chin gives it away to me. He was really filled out at one time but lost weight due to rut activity.

 

[Ben.MN/WI]

5.5+ years old since he has the saggy chin skin and also neck rolls.

 

[Catscratch]

5.5+ Older bucks just look different than other deer. That sagging skin below his chin gives it away to me. He was really filled out at one time but lost weight due to rut activity.

You think he's that old? I'd guess 3.5, maybe 4.5. With nothing to reference him to you can't tell from the pics, but he's really small bodied compared to our larger bucks. Plus his shoulders aren't all that well developed. But, I suck at this aging thing so I'm always willing to re-look at a buck.
Thanks for your reply!

 

[Howboutthemdawgs]

I agree 5.5 plus. That’s a tank head

 

[Catscratch]

So you guys think he reached max antler growth and probably should be hunted? I've got a few kids who would love to shoot a deer like this. I just don't want to remove a decent 3.5yr old before he's had a chance to develop.

I'm going to go through my sheds to see if I might have a history with him. That split brow and his mass seems familiar to me...

 

[Ben.MN/WI]

When we sent in teeth for aging, we learned that the 200+ pound field dressed bucks were always 4.5+, but a lighter weight buck is not necessarily young. A few old bucks just had lighter, smaller body frames just like people.

In my opinion, that buck is old enough now that I doubt he will make a massive jump in antler size next year. Shoot him.

 

[BenA]

You think he's that old? I'd guess 3.5, maybe 4.5. With nothing to reference him to you can't tell from the pics, but he's really small bodied compared to our larger bucks. Plus his shoulders aren't all that well developed. But, I suck at this aging thing so I'm always willing to re-look at a buck.
Thanks for your reply!

I do. Just from the facial features, he looks fully mature. His face looks shorter, blocky. He has some graying going on there to in the face. From your pics of deer on your place, you have a really fine age structure developed.

 

[Howboutthemdawgs]

So you guys think he reached max antler growth and probably should be hunted? I've got a few kids who would love to shoot a deer like this. I just don't want to remove a decent 3.5yr old before he's had a chance to develop.

I'm going to go through my sheds to see if I might have a history with him. That split brow and his mass seems familiar to me...

I don’t know about peak antler growth because even 5.5 would have room to run, but if you are comfortable with a mature buck being taken I personally feel he is over 4.5. I think anything under 5.5 is immature so 5.5 is on the list for me.

 

[Catscratch]

What about these two guys? I actually think the top buck is younger than the bottom buck (just from watching them from the stand he looked older to me than both the other deer in this thread).

 

[Howboutthemdawgs]

100%. Definitely younger.

Idk…maybe 3.5 and 5.5?

 

[Catscratch]

I told the kids to shoot the bottom 8 pointer... Both immediately passed on him on their hunts. Dang kids!

 

[Ben.MN/WI]

I'd also say the top buck is 3.5 and the bottom buck is 5.5+. When they have bases like a beer can, they are old enough-

That bottom buck looks like the bully 8 pointer that will push a younger better buck out of the area.

 

[BenA]

What about these two guys? I actually think the top buck is younger than the bottom buck (just from watching them from the stand he looked older to me than both the other deer in this thread).

View attachment 72054View attachment 72055

I agree on these. 3.5 and 5.5 That last one, I'd maybe say 4.5 depending on his profile. His brisket looks kind of wobbly, making me think older than 4.5 though.

 

[Catscratch]

I'd also say the top buck is 3.5 and the bottom buck is 5.5+. When they have bases like a beer can, they are old enough-

That bottom buck looks like the bully 8 pointer that will push a younger better buck out of the area.

Funny you should say that. Here's a video of him beating up on another buck.

 

[Mortenson]

Can't believe kids would pass a buck like that bottom one. Pretty thick bases and cool looking rack. Nice pics Cat

 

[Catscratch]

Another pic that shows his face better. Not much of a body pic though.

 

[Catscratch]

Can't believe kids would pass a buck like that bottom one. Pretty thick bases and cool looking rack. Nice pics Cat

I "call" them kids. One's a senior in college and the other is a junior in high school.

 

[Catscratch]

A couple of references of what I usually consider mature bodies. I didn't think the first buck in the thread fit the bill. But you guys are probably right that he is pretty old.