Barnes, I would say your correct those 1.5 year old bucks that produce the basket racks, may indeed being taken before their genetics can work for the herd. But as you stated how can you accurately tell the masses to hold off certain deer or ages...it ain't possible. thus antler or sex restriction are the common use...some of those spikes or forks may indeed have good genetics as well. All in all I thing it is a way to have more balanced buck to doe ratio, by protecting some of the young. Is it good for genetics, who knows and your example I would say probably not.

How i judge here, is mature vs. immature. I look at rack size, but more posture, markings, face, nose drop and body size.

Rack size will sometimes tell the story on the deers maturity level...but not always. Poor genetics, down slide, stress levels & food sources can play a part in the deers rack. Also the way the deer carries himself can tell you where he is in the cycle of life. All bucks exhibit that holier than though look, but the mature bucks carry themselves even higher. They know their stuff don't stink and dare to to tell them otherwise. However this can be confused with dominance as well, so i would still refer to the bottom ways as well.

Posture is probably my number one way. If a deer has the sagging back and belly...much like a saddle horse, then I know he is mature. If he has more of a straight back and that stomach is firm I know he is immature.

Our older deer often show signs in the face of age. White marks in the snot, etc. Immature deer often have that prodominant white eye spots and more black and browns on the face. Again this can change based on area they inhabitat and genetics...but as a guideline with the posture it can help determine maturity levels.
If you are able to be close enough, the older deer will often exhibit a noticable nose drop. Were their face on a side profile will look more rounded. Immature bucks will tend to look more pointed. Some say gravity (much like a woman breasts), while other say years of battles causes this to occur. In any instance it can be a way but obviously if viewing a deer at 200 yards it isn't going to be easily assessed.

The final way is Body size. While another shot in the dark way, often the mature bucks tend to be bigger in size as well. One area I have really noticed a difference between mature and immature is the neck size. Most mature animals exhibit the 5 gallon pail look, while the immature are more symetrical in appearance. I attribute that to the need to work the rubs and hone the neck muscles for the upcoming mating season. If you know you have a chance at the title, your going to hit the gym, idea. While if your just going to look the part, you may skip a work out or two and take your chances.

These aren't all scientific but I look at them as another way other than rack to try and determine maturity levels. I guess what I look at is the whole package or the deers story he is telling to try assess age or maturity. Although I have shot the odd buck that was 3-4 and the only reason was he carried impressive head gear and thats where i was sold. So sometimes the rack wins over the age, even with my other methods...LOL.





Edited by - skeeter 7mm on 12/11/2002 12:43:36