Originally Posted by
deerdust
I would put him at 4 yrs old. He doesn't have a lot of sway, but does have some. His coat still has good color and he does look thin in the face. I have seen many good racked young bucks. Just a sign that you have some good genetics in the area. The Nov 2009 pic I would say he is 2 1/2 at that time. That would put him at 4 in your current pic.
I have to agree. From the 2009 pic of him to the current one he really put on some mass on his main beams which bucks start to get at the 4.5-5.5yr mark. His brisket is already starting to sag and its summer. This deer has good genetics and is getting the proper nutrients enriched proteins. As far u catching him during daylight hours this is because bucks just like humans change there attitudes with age and u must not have pressured him last year. Deer naturally move in all different hours of the day when they feel safe in their seasonal home range.