Age this deer
 

This is the buck I'm after, this year. I aged him at at least 3.5yrs, last year.....but I'm wondering what you guys think.

This picutre does him NO justice as to what his body size was, in late November/early December. The width of his back, when he was under me, was astounding. That's the feature that sticks in my mind.

I live in western NC......if that helps.

Thanks for playing!

RE: Age this deer
 

He's not older than 3.5 Possibly a 2.5.

RE: Age this deer
 

GR8......I'll post a couple of 2.5 yr old photos. Again....size of the herd (competition for food) and geographic considerations come into play, here. Rob/PA can attest to the OVERALL size of the deer, here.

My first deer ever was a 2.5 yr old. (below)

RE: Age this deer
 

Here he is

RE: Age this deer
 

Here's a "typical" 1.5 yr old.....with this split brow tine 10-pointer.

RE: Age this deer
 

GMMAT

i haveto say he will be4 1/2this winter. he just hasent put on his winter weight. i think your right and he was 3 1/2 last year. look how his belly is starting to slope and he is starting to look short and stout

RE: Age this deer
 

I would say 3.5 at the oldest. As hard as is is to tell, he could be 2.5 for all we know. But I guess you weigh in the location and average deer size, I would agree to 3.5.

RE: Age this deer
 

I shot a 3.5 yr old, last year.....and I see a lot of deer, here. I'm not an expert by ANY stretch.....but my experences with the deer, here, tell me he's going to be a 4.5 yr old (at least) this Fall. The photo is from last Summer.

RE: Age this deer
 

The photo just isn't a very good one at all but that being said, he has a very pronouced squared off chest/brisket which is a clear indication of a mature buck.

RE: Age this deer
 

Not to great of a photo and its defenitely harder to tell when they are in velvet.

RE: Age this deer
 

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.

RE: Age this deer
 

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.;)

RE: Age this deer
 

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.....

RE: Age this deer
 

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

RE: Age this deer
 

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.:D;)

Good luck with him.

RE: Age this deer
 

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.

RE: Age this deer
 

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).

RE: Age this deer
 

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]

RE: Age this deer
 

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?

RE: Age this deer
 

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

RE: Age this deer
 

Because I want their "opinion"????

Just because I say he's 3.5 .....it doesn't mean he is. Just because you say he isn't .....again...that doesn't mean he isn't.

I wanted your opinions....or I wouldn't have asked for them. I'm only trying to say why I think he IS. I see these deer all season (1.5, 2.5 and older deer). I'm also trying to learn....while at the same time give some insight into the deer herd, HERE. What they look like in your woods.....I have no clue.

RE: Age this deer
 

I would have to say 3.5 years old.