How can you tell the age of a deer?
 

how can you tell the age of a deer? also how do u know if it is a mature buck or doe<<< does it have to be a surtin age?
I am asking this as if i was in a tree stand.

RE: How can you tell the age of a deer?
 

I know u can tell by the teeth but i wont be able to do that in a tree stand...

RE: How can you tell the age of a deer?
 

You can estimtate a buck by his body size and physical make up and characteristics but the only way to truly tell is by the teeth.

RE: How can you tell the age of a deer?
 

the leangth of his head and his teeth and hise body sizae

RE: How can you tell the age of a deer?
 

so if the teeth are sharp it is a young buck and if they are warn down its a older buck? what do u conseder a mature or old buck

RE: How can you tell the age of a deer?
 

http://www.bowsite.com/BOWSITE/features/articles/deer/aging/

pretty good explanation for AFTER the kill.

"Young deer are easy to tell. They have smaller heads as fawns and slender heads as they get older. A young buck will have a face that resembles a does. His body will also look like that of a doe, being long, lanky and slender. His neck is skinny and his front legs will appear close together at his chest.

Middle-aged deer become much more filled out in the body. They lose the skinny face, and their bodies look more like that of a racehorse. Their bodies are now developing and they are putting on weight through their shoulders, neck and rump. The best way that I determine the difference between a three and a four year old is by looking at the deer from the side and paying close attention to where the stomach meets the body by the rear legs. If the stomach still goes up it is three. If it is straight to the legs, it is four.

Mature deer will stick out as mentioned above. Unfortunately, most deer never reach maturity for many reasons. But seeing one will really make a lasting impression. They are much heavier in their bodies than middle-aged deer. Their chests become deep and their legs appear to be short and farther apart at the chest. Their faces become full and their necks are now flabby. Their stomachs are now big and their backs are sagged. They have lost that look of a racehorse. Look even closer and you’ll even see wrinkles at the base of their ears. They look old and it is obvious."

this is an exerpt from: http://www.keithwarren.net/stories/111603.htm

RE: How can you tell the age of a deer?
 

just talked to a guy and his sons 8 point did'nt have teeth worn down beond gums ! how old was he 5 1/2 yrs ?

RE: How can you tell the age of a deer?
 

Well, if you are trying to avoid the "gee c_str, did you have to drag your deer out, or just stuff it in your coat pocket like a partridge" comments, here is the rule I use.

It's the box rule. Draw an imaginary box around the deer, touching the nose, top of head, tail and feet.

If your ending drawing is more like a box, then you are looking at a fawn, or a very young deer.

If your ending drawing is a rectangle, start shooting! It's a full grown animal.

RE: How can you tell the age of a deer?
 

thanks for all the help guys!