How do they know?

[Cherokee]

Last year I had a really nice buck on camera a few days after closing (WMA). No pics of either during season. Well, it happens again this year. Motivation for next year. Any ideas on age from folks that are better than I am on aging.

 

[DoubleRidge]

WOW man....that is a stud.....my goodness....I'll go 5½ maybe 6½.....heavy looking in early January.... awesome looking buck!! And the rack....just wow.

 

[Lost Lake]

4.5+ for sure!!

 

[Planking]

Good gracious. That is a cool looking buck. He's at least 5.5. Those sheds would be worth hunting.

 

[cbhunter]

5.5 or older

 

[Snake]

Got a little sag in the back I'm going to say 5.5 but at least 4.5 .

 

[Tom Collins]

My goodness lol

 

[Rackseeker]

Going to say 5.5 yr old. All you need to do is figure out where he is during hunting season.

 

[backyardtndeer]

He is 5.5 or older. Still has a thick neck this time of year, little dip in the mid back. Hope you can catch up with him next season.

 

[Tom Collins]

Gotta find those sheds

 

[Andy S.]

He's a man, all the way around. Thanks for sharing.

 

[Ladys man]

WOW.... I used to tell my dad that every year after season. Pretty much guaranteed to see deer out in fields on the bus ride to school every Monday after season closed.
Idk how they know but they know. Good luck with him next year

 

[Cherokee]

Thanks for the input. I will be looking for sheds.

 

[BSK]

I'm still trying to figure out if those antlers are real.

But the buck's body is 6 1/2+.

 

[ROUGH COUNTRY HUNTER]

6 1/2+

 

[huvrman]

I usually get cam pics of nice bucks during the last week of season. Just got through talking to a guy tonight who saw the biggest 12 pt he's ever seen standing in the road near his house - during the last week of the season.

 

[bshurette]

Wowza that's a stud. I'd definitely be looking for those sheds. It's amazing sometimes how they figure things out.

 

[CrossVolle]

I live in metro Knoxville and i had half a dozen in my literal back yard rummaging through acorns. Typically, they will scatter back into the timber if i come out on the porch for anything. Last night they all picked their heads up and looked at me like i was stupid and went back to eating. I could've threw an arrow like a spear and killed one i think. It is certainly bizarre how their behavior seems like it instantly changes.

 

[megalomaniac]

Incredible deer!

You probably aren't getting pics of him during season because he is not there.

I bet he is a range shifter and moves off a few miles away in fall, then comes back there to spend the rest of the year. Perhaps it is hunting pressure that moves him off...

 

[timberjack86]

What a buck! What part of the state?

 

[Andy S.]

But the buck's body is 6 1/2+.

For sure. He looks extremely healthy in that pic for it to be January and post-rut. I hope you can become more familiar with him over time. As mega mentioned, a fair amount of bucks range shift for a mayriad of reasons, and many times it is hunting presuure. I know all too well with some of the places I have hunted and the pressure we put on the deer herd. I'd have trail cam pics of bucks in spot A all October, then when the masses hit the woods mid November I would either lose them altogether, or pick them up on trail camera a mile away. Likely looking for a sanctuary.

 

[Cherokee]

What a buck! What part of the state?

SE TN mountains.

 

[41Magnum]

Jumpin Jehoshaphat! Good'n

 

[timberjack86]

SE TN mountains.

South Cherokee?

 

[Cherokee]

South Cherokee?

yep

 

[rifle02]

Holy Moly! I would say 5.5+. My wife and I have always thought that deer look at calendars.

 

[Cherokee]

Holy Moly! I would say 5.5+. My wife and I have always thought that deer look at calendars.

If that works, I'll post a few next year in the woods in my area showing season closing 10/31/2021.;) Thanks.

 

[redblood]

6.5

 

[1jamey]

5.5 at least and a stud

 

[timberjack86]

yep

There's some good bucks in these mountains for people willing to get after em. Good luck with him next season.