Age of this buck?
Contributors to this thread:Whitetail Deer
From: Predeter
25-Oct-21
Thoughts on how old this deer is? Located in SW WI. Pictures aren't great but best I have so far.
Showed up last week, no history with him.
From: Casekiska
25-Oct-21
Also a SW WI bowhunter.....3 1/2 or 4 1/2
From: greg simon
25-Oct-21
4 1/2 or better. I'd shoot him.
From: John in MO / KY
25-Oct-21
I'd guess 4 1/2 and I'd shoot!
From: Bou'bound
25-Oct-21
As hold as he’d get if he walked by me
From: APauls
25-Oct-21
Unless you have trail cam history of a deer the only ages I adhere to and the only degree of accuracy I think there is is "old enough" and "not yet." He looks "old enough" but could easily be 4.5 and get bigger yet. Then again he could be 7.5 or 10.5 and you'd never know. But he does have that 4.5ish look to him, though I would be you exactly $0 on that.
From: deerhunter72
25-Oct-21
Never been good at aging deer. I'd gladly shoot him.
From: Bou'bound
25-Oct-21
As hold as he’d get if he walked by me
From: Predeter
25-Oct-21
Thanks for the input guys. I figured 3.5 or 4.5 too, was hoping there would be some consensus one way or another.
I don't think he gets a pass either way but would feel kind of bad if he's only 3.5 and I shoot him. Upshot is, he's the best buck from a rack standpoint I've had on the farm in the few years.
From: molsonarcher
25-Oct-21
I’m going to go out on a limb and guess 3.5. It’s almost November and his neck still seems small. Straight lines on the back and belly, no pronounced deep brisket/chest. Also just has that young deer look to him. No history with him also suggests he is younger and got booted by a more mature deer from wherever he was living. Also guessing he will end up back where he came from after the rut if you don’t kill him. I think he is s baby giant in the making, but also not convinced he isn’t 4.5.
From: wildwilderness
25-Oct-21
I would guess the best way to learn a farm is to get all your deer tooth aged and put it to pictures. Over a couple years you will have a data base to compare known pictures to age and will have a much better idea of the local age class for your farm.
From: Duke
25-Oct-21
4.5+
From: BullBuster
26-Oct-21
4.5
From: longbeard
26-Oct-21
4.5 or 5.5
From: shorty
26-Oct-21
4.5 or Better!
From: Crash
27-Oct-21
I'd say 4.5 also
From: tacklebox
27-Oct-21
I'd age him for about 7-10 days
From: Hancock West
27-Oct-21
likely 4.5 but could be a 3.5 with good genetics
From: MA-PAdeerslayer
27-Oct-21
I’m gonna agree with molsonarcher for the exact reasons he mentioned.
From: Rock
27-Oct-21
Who cares how old he is he is big enough for most hunters.
From: Predeter
27-Oct-21
I'll definitely plan to send a tooth in for age if I kill him. I'm hoping for some better pictures when I check cameras this weekend or to get a chance to see him from the stand. We'll see, chances are he'll never show up again!
From: DanaC
28-Oct-21
Found this in 'Shots on Whitetails' by Larry Kroller, shows how angle of antlers off skull changes with age. Wish it had a years scale but the idea is pretty clear
From: Predeter
28-Oct-21
Interesting Dana, first time I've ever seen that illustration.
From: Pete-pec
29-Oct-21
I put about zero faith in aging a deer on the hoof, once they reach 3. In my layman's opinion, there's not much that differentiates a deer in body mass, knowing it is from Wisconsin. It's at least 3.5, and could be much older, and I think a cross section of one of his front teeth is in order, so shoot him!
From: XMan
05-Nov-21
I think he's a really solid 3 1/2 yo midwest buck maybe 4 1/2 but I would lean younger, night pics always make a deer look bigger IMO, and a daylight pic will clear up any confusion on a deers size real quick.
From: drycreek
05-Nov-21
I think 4.5, and I’ve been pretty good at guessing ages as compared to sending the teeth in. Only thing is the cross sectioning of incisors to age is only about 60% accurate. I’m that good. :-)
From: Predeter
05-Nov-21
Drycreek, that's about how accurate I am too! 100% accurate 60% of the time ;-)
