Age

[TN RDG RNR]

Got a few pics of this buck. Could someone help me out with the age? Thanks

 

[TheLBLman]

I know you realize that right now is not the best time of year for accurate aging

Do you have any history with this one? That could be more helpful than these pics.

Just based on what your pics posted, my guess is
4 1/2 or older.

Beyond the usual body clues, another clue is beam length. It appears to be relatively long, very long for a buck 3 1/2 or younger, and an indicator this (assumed TN mountain buck) is more likely 4 1/2 or older.

Another antler trait that is a clue is basal mass. This one might not be particularly excessive for a 3 1/2-yr-old TN buck, but certainly above average. The thick velvet just adds to the challenge of guessing everything related to mass.

 

[Ski]

He's not a young one. I'd guess no younger than 4.5. Easily older than that. Healthy buck! Would for sure be one I'd shoot if given the opportunity.

 

[TN RDG RNR]

I know you realize that right now is not the best time of year for accurate aging

Do you have any history with this one? That could be more helpful than these pics.

Just based on what your pics posted, my guess is
4 1/2 or older.

Beyond the usual body clues, another clue is beam length. It appears to be relatively long, very long for a buck 3 1/2 or younger, and an indicator this (assumed TN mountain buck) is more likely 4 1/2 or older.

Another antler trait that is a clue is basal mass. This one might not be particularly excessive for a 3 1/2-yr-old TN buck, but certainly above average. The thick velvet just adds to the challenge of guessing everything related to mass.

No history on him, he is a mountian buck

I dont see many younger bucks with excessive 1"+ basal points.

Would they be a consideration when aging?

 

[DoubleRidge]

Agree that summer pics are tougher to age but given all the info I agree with others and will go with 4.5 year old.
Also, it does seem that as some (not all) bucks age they will add trash points around the bases. Cool looking buck. Great mass.

 

[TheLBLman]

No history on him, he is a mountian buck

I dont see many younger bucks with excessive 1"+ basal points.

Would they be a consideration when aging?

I "typically" don't see much in the way of non-typical basal points prior to 4 1/2. They become much more common at 5 1/2 & older.

So lots of what some call "trash" around the bases, is an indicator the buck "could" potentially be older than the body profile suggests. Personally, I love "trash" points, or "sticker" points, and these are unique things greatly adding to the "trophy" aspect of a particular buck's antlers, at least imo.

Official aging (such as at a check station) is typically done via the teeth. Trained agers are often a year off, as field aging by teeth (on a dead deer) mainly just provides good trend data, while not 100% accurate. And the older a deer, the higher probability of mis-aging by a year, or more.

All that said, and knowing he is a TN mountain buck, there is a good chance he's 5 1/2 or older. It's just that 4 1/2 is all I could say with high conviction.

 

[TheLBLman]

The younger a buck, the easier it is to accurately age him.
So when some unique feature makes a young buck easily identifiable ongoing, this is how & why a past "history" can make future aging of that buck very accurate.

 

[TN RDG RNR]

I "typically" don't see much in the way of non-typical basal points prior to 4 1/2. They become much more common at 5 1/2 & older.

So lots of what some call "trash" around the bases, is an indicator the buck "could" potentially be older than the body profile suggests. Personally, I love "trash" points, or "sticker" points, and these are unique things greatly adding to the "trophy" aspect of a particular buck's antlers, at least imo.

Official aging (such as at a check station) is typically done via the teeth. Trained agers are often a year off, as field aging by teeth (on a dead deer) mainly just provides good trend data, while not 100% accurate. And the older a deer, the higher probability of mis-aging by a year, or more.

All that said, and knowing he is a TN mountain buck, there is a good chance he's 5 1/2 or older. It's just that 4 1/2 is all I could say with high conviction.

Thanks for the info

 

[megalomaniac]

I think he is mature, but I hate aging based on the pose of leaning forward and hunched up a bit. That really throws me off. hopefully you get some more natural poses

 

[TN Larry]

4.5+

 

[TN RDG RNR]

I think he is mature, but I hate aging based on the pose of leaning forward and hunched up a bit. That really throws me off. hopefully you get some more natural poses

 

[TN RDG RNR]

These are all Ihave so far of this buck. Think I might adjust my camera next week.

 

[Ski]

Even with the updated pics I still think he's old. He's skinny & rundown but not young.

 

[TheLBLman]

After reviewing more of your pics, I'm leaning more towards 5 1/2 or older now, and and more convicted he couldn't be any younger than 4 1/2. Just need to see him late October, early November, at which time we may be saying 6 1/2 or older

 

[Volbuck777]

Old