Age Please

[RiverRat213]

Yes Time is off on the cam. Forgot to update when I changed battery last month.

 

[Obsession]

3.5

 

[TheLBLman]

Doesn't look any older than 2 1/2 to me.

 

[Andy S.]

His big ham reminds of a 3.5 buck.

 

[Planking]

2.5 best guess.

 

[tree_ghost]

His big ham reminds of a 3.5 buck.

i agree Andy but in the same sense his lack of depth and musculature in the front half of his body makes me think of a 2.5 YO...Id be comfortable at this point calling him a 2.5+ but come fall he could fill out and easily lean more towards a 3.5YO. If he is a 2.5 YO he has great genetic potential!!!! Love to see that deer in a couple more years


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[ROUGH COUNTRY HUNTER]

3 1/2

 

[TheLBLman]

His big ham reminds of a 3.5 buck.

i agree Andy but in the same sense his lack of depth and musculature in the front half of his body makes me think of a 2.5 YO...Id be comfortable at this point calling him a 2.5+ but come fall he could fill out and easily lean more towards a 3.5YO. If he is a 2.5 YO he has great genetic potential!!!! Love to see that deer in a couple more years.

His "hams" are accentuated by his posture and where he is standing. Note how much higher the ground is where his hind legs are standing.

Not saying he couldn't be 3 1/2, but my best guess (just based on this one pic) is 2 1/2.

 

[Andy S.]

His "hams" are accentuated by his posture and where he is standing. Note how much higher the ground is where his hind legs are standing.

Agree about the position, but not convinced his stance is making them look any bigger. I see the 2.5 in his front end, but if I had to bet my paycheck, it'd be on 3.5. I suspect his front end will fill out this fall to match his rear end, thus making him appear more like a 3.5.

 

[tree_ghost]

His "hams" are accentuated by his posture and where he is standing. Note how much higher the ground is where his hind legs are standing.

Agree about the position, but not convinced his stance is making them look any bigger. I see the 2.5 in his front end, but if I had to bet my paycheck, it'd be on 3.5. I suspect his front end will fill out this fall to match his rear end, thus making him appear more like a 3.5.

Question...I know that bucks put on significant mass in their shoulders and neck but does anyone know whether or not the brisket gets larger? I don't think that it does as I've always been taught that the brisket is an excellent indicator of a deers age in the summer however if they have significant growth guring the rut then maybe I've been taught incorrectly...?

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G870A using Tapatalk

 

[RiverRat213]

Here are two more for you to gander at.

 

[Rocky Top]

2.5...3.5... none of them would see there next birthday if they wandered in front of me this season haha! Great looking deer!

 

[TheLBLman]

Here are two more for you to gander at.

Can't really see much detail regarding these two in this latest pic, but is that buck on the left the same buck as in your 1st pic, or his he a different one?

The one on the right appears mature.

 

[CAW]

Front half says 2.5 and the back half says 3.5. Since it is a summer time pic, I'm going with 3.5.

 

[Andy S.]

The one on the right appears mature.

Agree, and he would be the only one I was focused on as long as he stayed around come Oct/Nov.

 

[Andy S.]

Question...I know that bucks put on significant mass in their shoulders and neck but does anyone know whether or not the brisket gets larger? I don't think that it does as I've always been taught that the brisket is an excellent indicator of a deers age in the summer however if they have significant growth guring the rut then maybe I've been taught incorrectly...?

From my experience, a deep pointed brisket (bone protruding down at an angle) can be an indicator of a mature buck, especially during the summer months when it is so hard to put an accurate age on one. With that said, you have to look at the sum of the parts to make a best guess.

 

[TheLBLman]

. . . . . you have to look at the sum of the parts to make a best guess.

I'll even include, as just one or two more pieces in a 20-piece puzzle, the antler characteristics of mass and main beam length (ignore the number of points, ignore tine length). However, there is a tendency to assume more mass than exists because the velvet creates an illusion of excessive mass.

I downplay these antler characteristics in the fall, and even in the summer if can get pics from several angles. But sometimes, you have but a single pic from one angle, so use all the "clues" that present in trying to "guess" the age. Just remember that while these may be high-correlation generalities, some mature bucks have little mass, some are only spike bucks, while some young bucks have it all.

 

[tree_ghost]

Here is a deer that fits that criteria this buck on the left is a big mature buck that sports a cowhorn on one side and a fork on the other. I'll be spending a tag on him this fall given the opportunity. He's my #2 hitlist buck but would more than likely be passed over by most hunters IMO

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G870A using Tapatalk

 

[TheLBLman]

Here is a deer that fits that criteria this buck on the left is a big mature buck that sports a cowhorn on one side and a fork on the other.

But note he still has significant "mass" on that cowhorn, particularly as compared to the younger buck.

 

[backyardtndeer]

Would think that one is a 2.5 year old. Have to look at how he is standing. The downhill angle his body is at gives a false impression he is deeper in the back end than he really is. Has pretty awesome potential if in fact he is only 2.5.

 

[TheLBLman]

Has pretty awesome potential if in fact he is only 2.5.

Depends on the area as to how common a 2 1/2 with antlers similar to those occurs.
In most areas of Tennessee, this one is above average (for a 2 1/2), but not unusual. His antlers will look more like a 2 1/2's once the velvet comes off, and I'd guess his outside spread to be between 13 1/2 and 14 1/2 inches.

 

[wobblegobble]

2.5