How old
 

Just wondering how old everyone thought this deer is. Pics were taken last week in central illinois. I never set the time or date on the trail cam. Also do you think that is a bald spot?

RE: How old
 

2 1/2 yrs old

RE: How old
 

2 1/2

RE: How old
 

2.5 year old. That bald spot could be from making rubs if it even is a bald spot.

RE: How old
 

2.5 no doubt.

RE: How old
 

2.5 years old. He has a slender nose, his belly doesn't sag, and his back is is still flat. He will be a dandy in a few years though.

RE: How old
 

2.5, no doubt.

RE: How old
 

2.5 year old

RE: How old
 

2.5 yrs

RE: How old
 

Looks like the consensus is 2.5. I would ID him to find out for sure. :D:D

RE: How old
 

a poor 2.5 yr old

RE: How old
 

Agreed,a real young 2 1/2 old. Prolly a late fawnof his year class.

RE: How old
 

2.5 without a doubt

RE: How old
 

i think he's a little to wide to be 1.5 my guess is 2.5

RE: How old
 

I'm undecided, lol.....at first glance i'm thinking 2.5 without a doubt , but then if you look at it, it does have charateristics of a 3.5 yr. old.....



The 1½-Year-Old Buck (Yearling)
It is often said a yearling buck resembles a "doe with antlers," which makes it relatively easy to discern. The 1½-year-old buck will not develop the swollen neck and muscular characteristics of older bucks. These bucks tend to have thin hindquarters and long, thin legs. Think of a teenaged boy, not yet reaching full height and not nearly "filled in."

Almost all yearlings have an antler spread less than 13 inches. These "teenagers" have not learned to be as secretive as their older associates are, so they often enter food plots earlier than older bucks and tend to be in the vicinity of doe family groups. The average size of a buck's antlers doubles between 1½ and 2½ years of age, so it is a good decision to let a yearling buck grow at least another year.

The 2½-year-old group is more difficult than yearlings to judge. The majority of this age group still have antler spreads inside the ears, but some individuals may produce a good set of antlers. During rut, this age class produces a limited amount of neck swelling due to muscle development, and the waist, or area just in front of the back legs, is relatively thin. Their hindquarters are much more filled in than the yearling's, but their legs appear to be "long and lanky." This age class has lots of growing to do before reaching full maturity, so it is best to let them grow at least another year. Their racks are only about 60 percent of the size they will be at 5½ to 6½ years.

3½-Year-Old Buck
The ability to distinguish 3½-year-old age group is important to a management program emphasizing harvest of mature-aged bucks with maximum antler development. During the rut, the buck's neck is thickly muscled, yet there is still a distinct junction between the neck and shoulders. Some biologists compare its look to that of a well-conditioned racehorse.

The chest region may begin to appear deeper than the hindquarter area; inside spread of antlers typically is at or outside the ears. These bucks can develop impressive antlers, especially on well-managed properties in productive habitats; they are easily mistaken for "mature" deer. In reality, they have reached only about 75 percent of maximum antler development.

RE: How old
 

looks like a 2.5

RE: How old
 

there a good chance that he is 1.5. coming out of illinois got good blood. he got good feed and not overly big body.this time of year hes not going to have a swollen neck.i have a yearing buck bigger body than him alot of guys think his 2 but hes not. 16in spread 8pt. i'm not say he can't be 2.5 but you can't say with out a doubt hes 2.5. i have seen alot yearing with bigger racks some up over 200in. just what i think

RE: How old
 

Not possible.

RE: How old
 

2/1/2 year old that could turn into something good in 2 years!

RE: How old
 

hey schultzy i can see you not around deer very much.so before you go and tell me that things not possible. and call me a lier.i think you need to do your homework! whitetailsquest.com under buck listing

RE: How old
 

2.5

RE: How old
 

When you say A yearling deer can be 200" I'm going to say your full of it! A yearling deer is 1.5 years old! Did you not say that?

RE: How old
 

well as i said before your not around deer very much.and yes i said that 1.5 scores over 200in.a little fact for you i believe sudden impact went 281 as 1.5. and i said to go to whitequest.com under buck listing

RE: How old
 

I now remember you from being in the Bow Hunting Forum, you were the know it all person! I'm 33 years old little fellar and I've been around deer and all other sorts of wildlife all my life! Your going by deer that are pen raised, you cannot go off of that, get out in the woods and learn about wild deer, not pen raised deer!!

RE: How old
 

well you said that it wasn't possible and it is. and i never said i know everything.you just took it that way and i as i said i believe in my 1st post. and i know alot about wild deer too.just to let you know you don;t have that many more years in the woods then i there old fellar

RE: How old
 

I'm not going to argue with you kid, its pointless! From now on when you post something explain yourself a little better so we can all understand where your coming from. Everyone knows a wild 1.5 year old deer is not going to grow 200" antlers, next time explain yourself better and say your talking about your pen raised deer so people don't critisize you. Sound good Nature Nut?;) People could really care less anyway what a pen raised deer grows for antlers.

RE: How old
 

just because you don;t care other migth and i care what they grow because that a pay check.