Seen a lot of guys talkingon hereabout aging a buck on the hoofthat can apparently do it. I know the stuff from Dr James Krollsays onTV and just wanting to know how you do it. I shoot for a certain P&Y estimate, not really a certain age animal.

What do you look at or look for and have you been proven correct by a kill and jaw bone?

Ok, I am going to run my a** out on a limb, because no one else has as of yet.

I am speaking of my experience,if you are lucky enough an you see plenty deerin the different age groups itmakes things easier. The body size goes a long ways. My area a 2 1/2 year will way about 150 lbs an a 1 1/2 old will weigh about 115 lbs. The difference between those are pretty obvious. The 1 1/2 has slender neck an shoulders he is not muscledup. The 2 1/2 will have a little larger neck an thicker shoulders an will look heavier when they are standing side by side. The 3 1/2year old will weigh around 175 to 200 lbs. They will be larger in the neck area an shoulder area an will show dominance over most other deer. The4 1/2 will start to get that sagging belly look along with the age in the face an will show true dominance over other deer. My area the 4 1/2 will weigh around 215. The weight areaccording to AGFC officer in my area.

This is just my experince, now let the hacking begin if needed.I find that a deer can go fromabout 6 lbs at birth to weighing 215 lbs in only 4 1/2 yearamazing.

Kill him. Then pull a tooth and section it.

Hey Mark...I think it mostly comes from time in the field and experience. I've also watched (and rewatched...) several Deer judging videos. Do a search on "Judging and aging trophy deer". Most include assistance and instruction for both rack size and age. The more entertaining ones let you see the deer for a bit and then pause, allowing you to make your estimates. I can usually get pretty close for a typical rack...obviously nontyps are tougher. But then again, if you have a gnarly, huge nontyp in range who cares to think any further.The knowledgemostly becomes important when hunting where there is a set minimum, either with rack or age or both. You can learn it easily and it becomes second nature.

I myself try to see how his chest looks. If hes barrell chested hes a goner

Deer bodies age similar to horses and cattle. As they get older their backs start sagging and their belly sags. Also the chest and brisket area fills out.

Review the pics in post 2 of this thread ....

http://www.huntingnet.com/forum/tm.aspx?m=2161170&mpage=1

"Shoot and ask questions later"



Honestly, if he's big enough and I want to take him, I will.



Spell check Preach

oops! Thanx Coug!

What a stud of a deer. I dont see the backswaglike livestockand maybe a little of the belly, but the chest, neck, and overall muscle. And thewidth thicknessof his bodyis very evident. Not to mention that crown!

Thanks for the link. I am going to have to go touch my bow now.