I' ve experienced some inaccuracies in both MI and PA. Talking with John Ozoga, a research biologist here in the UP of Michigan, he told me that it is highly possible to be off 1 year, and that many times you have a choice between the two, and choose the younger one.

I strongly feel that if you know the deer in your area, it is more accurate to judge age on the hoof, than take them to a check station. TX guides accurately age animals on the hoof up to 6.5 and 7.5 years of age, and many areas of trophy hunting the bucks are left to 5.5 years of age, judged on the hoof.

There is so much substantial growth between 1.5, 2.5, and 3.5, that it is very easy to tell the difference if you know your local deer.

Jeff...U.P. of Michigan
Protection of yearling bucks + Populations maintained below the carrying capacity of the land + Adequate sex ratios = QDM