What do you think? Age?
This one just showed up. Age please?
- Thread starter BluegrassDan
- Start date
TheLBLman
Well-Known Member
2 1/2
in the dog house
Well-Known Member
Agree, a very nice 2.5 Lot of potential in that buck!
I was thinking 3.5.
TheLBLman
Well-Known Member
"Top-End" 2 1/2's typically appear much as a 3 1/2, and one reason is their antlers (which seems to be the primary focus of many hunters) will in fact outscore the average 3 1/2.
I suspect a majority of above average 2 1/2's are "early born", by which even born a month earlier than average can allow them to express much more of their genetic antler potential at an earlier age.
Most of any particular buck's genetic antler potential is not realized until he is at least 4 1/2. But if born a month or two earlier than average, if living in a low-stress environment, and if having high-quality food resources, these bucks can express more of their potential at a younger age.
IMO, assuming you consider larger antlers a better trophy, these are the very best young bucks to allow to live another year or two. These particular 2 1/2's may express about as much of their "potential" at 3 1/2 than many would by 4 1/2.
While antlers should not be the primary focus in trying to assess a buck's age, a particularly good antler clue in sorting 2 1/2's for 3 1/2's is "mass". It's certainly not fool-proof, just more consistent than most other antler characteristics between 2 1/2's & 3 1/2's.
If you're somewhat undecided between whether a buck is 2 1/2 or 3 1/2, should the antlers look "skinny" relative to their size, that feature is more characteristic of a 2 1/2 than a 3 1/2 (particularly regarding the antler circumferences about an inch about the hairline). A good field "gauge" is comparing the buck's eyeball diameter to his antler diameter.
Also, "top-end" 3 1/2's also commonly appear to be 4 1/2's, until they're killed and their teeth say 3 1/2.
I suspect a majority of above average 2 1/2's are "early born", by which even born a month earlier than average can allow them to express much more of their genetic antler potential at an earlier age.
Most of any particular buck's genetic antler potential is not realized until he is at least 4 1/2. But if born a month or two earlier than average, if living in a low-stress environment, and if having high-quality food resources, these bucks can express more of their potential at a younger age.
IMO, assuming you consider larger antlers a better trophy, these are the very best young bucks to allow to live another year or two. These particular 2 1/2's may express about as much of their "potential" at 3 1/2 than many would by 4 1/2.
While antlers should not be the primary focus in trying to assess a buck's age, a particularly good antler clue in sorting 2 1/2's for 3 1/2's is "mass". It's certainly not fool-proof, just more consistent than most other antler characteristics between 2 1/2's & 3 1/2's.
If you're somewhat undecided between whether a buck is 2 1/2 or 3 1/2, should the antlers look "skinny" relative to their size, that feature is more characteristic of a 2 1/2 than a 3 1/2 (particularly regarding the antler circumferences about an inch about the hairline). A good field "gauge" is comparing the buck's eyeball diameter to his antler diameter.
Also, "top-end" 3 1/2's also commonly appear to be 4 1/2's, until they're killed and their teeth say 3 1/2.
darn2ten
Well-Known Member
That's hard to say. As has been said that could be a higher end 2.5, but it could also be a average 3.5. I'm looking at body conformation, he's a little deeper where his neck meets his chest.
TheLBLman
Well-Known Member
Certainly possible, but chest depth is more suggestive of 2 1/2 imo.redblood said:
My "label" would be 2 1/2 or older, where "2 1/2" is the age am thinking most probable and no younger than, but realizing there remains a good possibility for 3 1/2.
That's true, but part of this has to do with his holding his head low. I'd like to see more pics of this buck, particularly a full side view with his head held in a more normal upright position.darn2ten said:
Below are some 2 1/2, 3 1/2, and 4 1/2 pics of the same buck (which was a top-end 2 1/2 TN buck I was tracking a few years ago).
Deer antlers nearly ALWAYS "look" larger from a rear view. Same buck, same day with these first two pics.
Above pics are this buck at 2 1/2.
Below pic is same buck at 3 1/2.
And the below pic was this buck (we named "CB") at 4 1/2.
in the dog house
Well-Known Member
IMO the neck in the first pic says 2.5 There is a lot of neck, hence 2.5, but I'm no expert.
I saw what might have been this deer a couple weeks ago while hunting. He looked every bit of 3.5. Big front heavy chest compared to his rear. The camera is about 7 feet up a tree and he's quartering away sharply. That, plus him being hunched over, makes it hard for me to tell as his front and back are distorted from those angles.
Bone Collector
Well-Known Member
judging on antlers, which you can't i'd say 3.5, but the first and last picture say 2.5, based on front shoulder neck size.
Thewsus
Active Member
I would estimate the buck to be 3.5 years old.
W.Seay
Well-Known Member
2.5
volunteer1
Well-Known Member
3.5
Kill him and pull the jaw bone.
darn2ten said:
x2
Winchester
Well-Known Member
I agree could go either way, need better pics to make a call.
richwoods
Active Member
3
7mminatree
Well-Known Member
I would say 3 1/2. Since your in Carter county, thats a mountain buck and we usually don't grow a rack around these parts on a 2 1/2 like that set. But I could be wrong.
dittoWes Parrish said:
TheLBLman
Well-Known Member
I'd love to hear BSK's thoughts on this one.
Been thinking he'd make a nice post regarding this past weekend's juvenile hunt --- he must still be busy processing all those deer.
Been thinking he'd make a nice post regarding this past weekend's juvenile hunt --- he must still be busy processing all those deer.
I think you are right, Wes Parrish. In these pics he appears to be 2.5. He's a good one for his age.
megalomaniac
Well-Known Member
Agree with Wes based on the last pics...
My initial impression was that he was more likely to be 3.5 than 2.5, but based on the broadside pics you just posted, I think he's more likely to be 2.5 than 3.5
My initial impression was that he was more likely to be 3.5 than 2.5, but based on the broadside pics you just posted, I think he's more likely to be 2.5 than 3.5
