Optimal Age to harvest a deer
 

So the post "Look at him at 5 1/2 years old!!!" got me thinking. What is the optimal age to harvest a deer? Lets say you have oh I don't know 2000 acres that you and you only hunt. Deer stay tight to your property it is a dream property has all they could need. So you see a 1 1/2 year old buck who has the "potiental". You have him patterned and watch him all season long letting him walk waiting to him to get bigger. You know next year and the year after and the year after you are going to see him (OK so I know I am in fantasy land) How old is he when you finally "Harvest" him??? Is the best age 5??? 6??? 7??? when does his rack. body size all that good stuff start to decline? Just curious as to everyones thoughts

RE: Optimal Age to harvest a deer
 

A biologist friend of mine say they begin to loose mass and antler potential around 7 years old. A six year old deer is also one of the hardest animals to come across. But to answer the question, if you are truly looking at peak antler production, then 5-6 yrs would most likely be the answer. For me a deer 4.5 yrs old or older is what I am looking to take. That's why I have the last four years worth of tags on my farm here in KY.

RE: Optimal Age to harvest a deer
 

depending on what part of the country your in, I would not wait any longer than 5.5 anywhere though because if you have a big buck under you and he's mature take him that is my opinion.

RE: Optimal Age to harvest a deer
 

If I see a 5 year old deer he is getting the string dumped on him.

RE: Optimal Age to harvest a deer
 

It's also a fact that a whietail deer has a 20% chance of dying of causes other than hunting.....EVERY YEAR. SO....20%...compounded.....and it's a stretch/anomoly for a deer to get to that age.

4.5????

I'm thinking I wouldn't roll the dice past 4.5

RE: Optimal Age to harvest a deer
 

where I am at in western PA I would not pass on a 3.5 year old ever. There is just to much pressure on them.

RE: Optimal Age to harvest a deer
 

34. That will be my age by archery season and at present, that seems like a great age to kill a deer. ;) Any deer will do.

RE: Optimal Age to harvest a deer
 

HA! Yeah, but your out of state deer have been out of this world!

I won't shoot one under 3.5 on my farms. Honestly, it is very hard to come across a deer over 3.5 around here. I think I am going to up my standards to 4.5 though since my wife is going to be hunting and I don't really care if I kill one at this point. Plus, I have some photos from last year that let me know that at least 4 bucks around here will be 4.5 or 5.5 this year. Probably will never see them during daylight, but such is hunting.

RE: Optimal Age to harvest a deer
 

It's been pretty good out of state that's for sure. Just giving the home front a little time to mature.....:D

RE: Optimal Age to harvest a deer
 

:DThat's the way I look at it.I'm happy at whatever legal deer gives me the shot I want to take