I have killed deer that have been 5 years old, and livers and organs looks extremly healthy. In fact these bucks are the studs of the forest, and everything in them looked very bright colors and healthy.

That sounds strange that these 2.5 year olds had strange looking livers. Might have rutted for a while and lacked food. Its not uncommon for a deer to lose up to 20% of its wieght during rut.