Thread: Aging bucks

Nice dear. Yum, well maybe not that 5 year old, that be tough!

I'm going to say the bigger buck is younger ,probably 31/2. The smaller is a 41/2 . He is starting to get a pot gut so I'm thinking 41/2.

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I would probably take the smaller crab claw buck this year and let that nice young buck go for a year longer

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Great pics... as usual. Thanks for sharing.

I agree, the first buck is 4 1/2 years old and about all he's ever going to be, get him out of the gene pool. The 2nd buck has definite potential, he is 3 1/2 tops, but not so sure he ain't 2 1/2. If that's the case he will be an absolute stud in two years. Interesting subject for sure, I have had it pounded into me for the last 20 years not to try to even bother judging the age of a buck by the antlers. Deer are not much different from humans, older deer develop the sway back, pot gut and greying of the muzzle and neck hair. The young one's have straight lines on the back and a lean trim gut, also can look awkward on the legs, tend to look to long and slender for the body. Either way, looks like you will have an interesting year out in the field.

Had a 300lb buck that I had hunted for several years finally finally killed last season by a young man that was new to hunting. Young guy went on a stand opening day of gunmand he walked out in front of him. Aged by Indiana DNR at 9.5 yrs old and still had a good rack of 150 points on the score as he was still showing 9 points on the big mast rack. For a few years of my chasing him, he was sporting 12 and 14 points. Only way to perfectly age a deer is looking at the jaw bone and his teeth. Our deer here are hard to hunt in this hilly cut over thick woods and ya have to stand hunt for days to hunt just the one your looking for. Takes a lot time and luck too. I haven’t found the one I want to chase yet as still scouting and seeing a few 8s and 10s that might score 120. Our weather has our deer alittle wigged out this fall. Your pic of the bucks I would say 3.5 for oldest at a guess.

Originally Posted by Snubby

I agree, the first buck is 4 1/2 years old and about all he's ever going to be, get him out of the gene pool. The 2nd buck has definite potential, he is 3 1/2 tops, but not so sure he ain't 2 1/2. If that's the case he will be an absolute stud in two years. Interesting subject for sure, I have had it pounded into me for the last 20 years not to try to even bother judging the age of a buck by the antlers. Deer are not much different from humans, older deer develop the sway back, pot gut and greying of the muzzle and neck hair. The young one's have straight lines on the back and a lean trim gut, also can look awkward on the legs, tend to look to long and slender for the body. Either way, looks like you will have an interesting year out in the field.

I agree-4 1/2 not sway back yet and where his chest meets his legs.He needs to go. Not enough horns for his age. #2- 3 1/2 and has good potential. At 5 1/2 he will be a stud. Culling is one of the most important parts of deer management.

s I’ve always believed those darn squirrel are in cahoots with the deer, by barking to alert them, now with your second photo just proves they hang together. lol