2 1/2

Besides antlers, there are other ways to field judge the age of a
buck.
While it is very difficult to tell the difference between a 4 1⁄2 and
7 1⁄2 year old buck, here are some tips on determining if the buck is
a yearling or older.
• Yearling bucks (11⁄2 years old) will have smaller faces and relatively
thin necks, even during the rut.
• At 2 1⁄2 years old, a buck will look heavier and be more muscular
in the head, neck, and chest. In November, a swollen neck
is a good sign that the deer is not a yearling.
• As a buck gets past 21⁄2 years, you will see annual increases in
body mass and neck size. Also, the belly may start to sag and
the back may dip along the spine.