Age please?

[Spurhunter]

Guesses? I know it's not the best angle but it's all I got.

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

 

[ZachMarkus]

3.5??


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

 

[cbhunter]

I think 2.5. Looks very long legged


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[TheLBLman]

I think 2.5. Looks very long legged

Agree, at least based on this single pic.
Is possible could be 3 1/2.
Need more pics, different angles.

 

[gobblesandgrunts]

2.5 imo


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[megalomaniac]

2.5

Sent from my SCH-R970X using Tapatalk

 

[Andy S.]

Is the date correct?

 

[Spurhunter]

Is the date correct?

Yes

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

 

[Spurhunter]

Is the date correct?

I am curious why you asked about the date.

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

 

[Snake]

No way I can tell by that pic , sorry .

 

[pass-thru]

1 or 2

 

[Andy S.]

I am curious why you asked about the date.

Generally speaking, December is post rut for most of the state, so it could very well be a very active rutted down 3.5 that appears to be a 2.5 from that single pic looking at the camera (not the best pose for sure).

 

[TheLBLman]

To add to what Andy said, typically, the only times body profiles are highly accurate in buck age estimation (and still often a year off)
is about a month before most females come into estrous, and maybe going up to a month after. For much of TN, this period would be approximately mid-October into early December.

That time-frame runs later in a few southern counties, such as mid-Nov into early January.
So to guess better, we should ask both the date and the approx. date of peak estrous for the buck's area.

Since there is more a tendency to under-age rather than over-age,
ages would typically be GUESSED by the minimum age of high certainty,
such as guessing this particular buck as "2 1/2 or older".

 

[TheLBLman]

Like how Spurhunter blocked the view of the antlers,
as the initial age guess shouldn't be influenced by antlers.
Certain antler characteristics can be used in an attempt at finer tuning a guess,
such as if this particular buck had a lot of mass and long beams,
my answer might be changed to 3 1/2 or older.

 

[Spurhunter]

I am curious why you asked about the date.

Generally speaking, December is post rut for most of the state, so it could very well be a very active rutted down 3.5 that appears to be a 2.5 from that single pic looking at the camera (not the best pose for sure).

I did not realize that. I assumed a buck would show his age year round. Thanks for the information. You can learn a lot around here!

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

 

[Spurhunter]

To add to what Andy said, typically, the only times body profiles are highly accurate in buck age estimation (and still often a year off)
is about a month before most females come into estrous, and maybe going up to a month after. For much of TN, this period would be approximately mid-October into early December.

That time-frame runs later in a few southern counties, such as mid-Nov into early January.
So to guess better, we should ask both the date and the approx. date of peak estrous for the buck's area.

Since there is more a tendency to under-age rather than over-age,
ages would typically be GUESSED by the minimum age of high certainty,
such as guessing this particular buck as "2 1/2 or older".

I did not realize that. I assumed a buck would show his age year round. Thanks for the information. You can learn a lot around here!

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

 

[Spurhunter]

Like how Spurhunter blocked the view of the antlers,
as the initial age guess shouldn't be influenced by antlers.
Certain antler characteristics can be used in an attempt at finer tuning a guess,
such as if this particular buck had a lot of mass and long beams,
my answer might be changed to 3 1/2 or older.

You caught on to that I see! I have noticed people will tend to use antlers over body in aging many times. This buck has (at least from this view) a skinny young body but his antlers are a different story. I'm not an age guy. A shooter is a shooter to me regardless of age, but this buck looked so odd I wanted some guesses.

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

 

[Spurhunter]

Anyone still thinking 2.5?

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

 

[Spurhunter]

What will he score?

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

 

[Andy S.]

FWIW, I've seen numerous 5.5 year old bucks look like a 2.5 bodywise, ESPECIALLY post rut. I suspect he is at least 3.5, and likely older. Deer are like humans in that some of them never have the big neck muscular front end that we like to think all 4.5/5.5 bucks do.

 

[TX300mag]

That's a great buck spur, I hope you get him!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[cbhunter]

the straight on shot shows that he is 3.5 minimum. I say that because of the fullness of his neck. He certainly could be older and I agree with what Andy says above. He will score around 145-148 IMO

 

[Spurhunter]

That's a great buck spur, I hope you get him!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Thanks! He is an 8 point of a lifetime in my opinion. This is the only time he has graced my camera but that doesn't mean he isn't around. I hope to introduce him to a 165 grain friend of mine.

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

 

[TN Larry]

What Andy said in terms of the timing. He does appear in the first zoomed in pic that he is 2.5 but possibly 3.5. The zoomed out version excluding looking at the antlers makes him look like a rutted down 3.5.

I think that he will score 140" minimum if not a few more. He looks a lot like the deer in my avatar pic with a little longer g3s. Mine score 140s 3/8" with a couple stickers, and I think 137 and change as a clean 8 point. That's a heck of an 8 point anywhere and hope you get him.

 

[megalomaniac]

Still looks like a 2.5 y/o to me body wise, legs are WAY longer than depth of chest. But one SHOULD also look at the rack to help determine age. It's part of the big picture, but certainly NOT the main factor when determining age. I'd tend to say the deer is a rutted down 3.5 y/o when considering the overall picture (abnormally large rack for smallish body).

As far as score, I think he'll get really close to 140", but not quite... I figure around 138" or so. Good luck with him, hope you have a good encounter with him at the very least!

 

[Spurhunter]

Thanks guys. I learned some things here. I can assure you if I see him he'll be as old as he'll ever get. I posted this figuring most of the guesses would change after I included the antlers. His body does look abnormally small for his rack. Almost like a Texas deer.

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

 

[catman529]

2.5


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

 

[Spurhunter]

2.5


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

If he is in fact 2.5 that is some superior genetics and nutrition.

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

 

[pass-thru]

That's why you need the proper body angle to age by photos.

 

[Spurhunter]

That's why you need the proper body angle to age by photos.

I'll post a sign at the camera for him to turn sideways next time! :tu:

Regardless of angle I think we can all agree that body doesn't match the amount of bone.