I know this photo sucks.....but here he is on 12/19.....walking away from me. Here's how wide (body) he was, then.

This is just discussion, guys. I apologize for the photo lack of clarity.

I agree with bigjim12. His short face and sloped belly indicate an older deer. It's always so hard to tell on the hoof though. For example, I would never guess that your first deer was 2.5 and have a hard time believing that your deer last your was 3.5 (not doubting you, just saying it is hard to believe).

So, I guess the best thing for you to do is to shoot that buck this year, pull his jaw and tell us how old he really is.

I'm not bothered by this, Bry....not in the least. I only found out for sure (as far as 'for sure' can be) when I asked the taxidermist. Keith's done a bunch of deer.....and I simply asked him how old he was (didn't lead him). He said "3".

I don't really know, for sure. I saw a BUNCH of 1.5 yr olds here, last year. They're hard to mis-judge . The 2.5's are the toughest, I think.....because a 1.5 of quality genes can fool you.

It's all interesting.....

looking at the pic it looks to be a 3.5 year old -it is definately older than 2.5 but not a 4.5 in my opinion

He looks like he couldbe4 or 4.5 to me. He is very thick looking right now and as summer and fall progress he will surely fill out more. He has a little sway to his back right nowand his shoulders and neck are going to thicken up considerably by the rut. If you need any help I'd love to hunt him from that stand you have beside the monkey bars.

Good luck with him.

I think that the deer in that top trail cam picture is 3.5. When its spring, and the hides are thin, and the coats are that bright brown..it can be difficult to tell for sure. Most of the deer we see and determine age on are in winter regalia. But I'm going with 3.5 this coming fall...maybe 4.5. But he is definately not 2.5 and definately not 5.5.

Like I said, guys....the photo (trail cam shots)was from LAST Summer. I have seen him during the season (12/9 photo) and since the season ended.

I still think he's 4.5 or older (WILL BE), THIS year (Fall).

Im still gonna say 2.5 yr old last year, but im bad at judging that cause the deer around me are so varied.


In fact I killeda 1.5 yr old 8 pt that was 15" wide one year.... back when I was young and full of beans...

But I've matured[8D]

I didn't think you would be, but I've been in more than one cyber-fight over mis-interpretation. When you have them on the ground and can check their teeth you can get a pretty sure idea. Especially between 2.5 and 3.5 because their milk teeth are completely gone at 3.5.

For "the bull" you'll just have to get him on the ground and find out, right?

I So why ask people's opinion if your totally sure how old he is?