Help me age this WT deer

[Bowhuntrben]

The only way to accurately age a deer is to pull a tooth and send it to the lab.

This, unless you have a lot of history with the deer. I've finally started sending teeth in. Of the deer so far, some have confirmed my thoughts and others have somewhat surprised me (though still seemed reasonable). I will be interested when I eventually send the tooth from this year's deer in. I have a LOT of history with it and know what it's likely age is (at least know the minimum it should be).

I find that people in my area seemingly tend to overestimate genetics and underestimate age.

With that said, for the buck posted, I would have a hard time believing it's less than 4.5. It is possible but unlikely. 0% chance it's 2.5.

 

[shannerdrake]

Maybe all you SPIKE shooters should do a little reading. Take a minute and look at how big can a 2.5 year old buck really get. Oh and I did send a photo !

Share an article.

 

[shannerdrake]

View attachment 357122

Quality buck, but not in the same class as the one he posted.

 

[shannerdrake]

0% chance it's 2.5.

Careful, pabearhunter will call you a spike shooter

I had three bucks that we marked the teeth with a Sharpie so we wouldn’t get them mixed up. Sent the same deer three different times to the same lab and got three different results.

They eventually refunded us for two of the agings.

 

[Bowhuntrben]

Careful, pabearhunter will call you a spike shooter

I had three bucks that we marked the teeth with a Sharpie so we wouldn’t get them mixed up. Sent the same deer three different times to the same lab and got three different results.

They eventually refunded us for two of the agings.

Admittedly, I thought this one could be a real trophy. I believe he is -2.5 years old in the photo.

 

[pabearhunter]

Share an article.

Now just remember a 2.5 year old deer is 2.5 one day before he turns 3.5 !

 

[Wind Gypsy]

Now just remember a 2.5 year old deer is 2.5 one day before he turns 3.5 ! If you have trouble figuring that out ask your wife or kids to explain it. Have a great day

Odd semantics. 2.5 = 2nd rack a buck has grown. 3.5 = 3rd rack a buck has grown.

 

[Hammsolo]

I have a lot to learn about whitetails. This is a buck we have been following for two years now, and we let him live this year. I am curious how old you think he is.

Only photo I got from 2023 -
View attachment 356994
Photos from 2024 (summer to end of December in order) -
View attachment 356995View attachment 356996View attachment 356997View attachment 356998
For reference 150” deer I killed in 2023 and he aged out at 5.5 years old.
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I assume you didn’t “start following him” until he was notable. I would think that puts him at 4.5. At quick glance it looks like genetics and conditions could produce fairly “mature” looking bucks at 2.5 years. So, I assume you started following him at 2.5 years and after heavy calculations you’ll kill him next year at 5.473 years.

 

[Sheltowee]

The only way to accurately age a deer is to pull a tooth and send it to the lab.

Some places (mostly in Texas), you can just check the little yellow tag in the ear

 

[Wind Gypsy]

Admittedly, I thought this one could be a real trophy. I believe he is -2.5 years old in the photo.

Now there is a question. Stud button buck or twerp of a 1.5 YO?

 

[Wind Gypsy]

Any 2022 pics of bucks that could be him?

Could be a freak 3 YO? 4 YO seems like a good guess.

 

[WIbiggame]

Worst ways to age a buck 1) look at the antlers 2) look at the body. As mentioned only way to know is send in a tooth for aging. You can look at tooth wear to get an idea but diet can and will affect that.

Case in point not to steal this thread but age this one? And I know the exact answer from sending in a tooth.

 

[Sheltowee]

Son of a... I thought he was still in velvet at first glance because he has so much mass. I'd guess 4.5 but maybe 5.5.

 

[Hammsolo]

Worst ways to age a buck 1) look at the antlers 2) look at the body. As mentioned only way to know is send in a tooth for aging. You can look at tooth wear to get an idea but diet can and will affect that.View attachment 357197View attachment 357198View attachment 357199View attachment 357200

Case in point not to steal this thread but age this one? And I know the exact answer from sending in a tooth.

That is the coolest ugly rack I e seen in a minute. Clearly his age surprise you… He’s pretty thin body wise and a streamlined face. I’ll go 3.64.

 

[Elktrack]

That is the coolest ugly rack I e seen in a minute. Clearly his age surprise you… He’s pretty thin body wise and a streamlined face. I’ll go 3.64.

3.65
Price is right rules make me the winner Hammy!

 

[Nick87]

Worst ways to age a buck 1) look at the antlers 2) look at the body. As mentioned only way to know is send in a tooth for aging. You can look at tooth wear to get an idea but diet can and will affect that.View attachment 357197View attachment 357198View attachment 357199View attachment 357200

Case in point not to steal this thread but age this one? And I know the exact answer from sending in a tooth.

Need a broadside view of the body but from what little I can see 5.5 or 6.5.

 

[shannerdrake]

Worst ways to age a buck 1) look at the antlers 2) look at the body. As mentioned only way to know is send in a tooth for aging. You can look at tooth wear to get an idea but diet can and will affect that.View attachment 357197View attachment 357198View attachment 357199View attachment 357200

Case in point not to steal this thread but age this one? And I know the exact answer from sending in a tooth.

5.5?

 

[WIbiggame]

Need a broadside view of the body but from what little I can see 5.5 or 6.5.

 

[Nick87]

Idk I'd say 6.5 minimum Could be and probably is older. That said I don't have a lot of experience judging deer over 4.5 to 5 5 while being able to confirm it. Once they get to that age which isn't all that common I just consider them a mature deer.

 

[npaden]

I say 4.5 to the original post.

As far as "only way to know for sure is to send in a tooth" I used to think that, but after this round of teeth I'm not as willing to say that.

Probably still works for northern deer, but I sent in some teeth on deer that I have pictures of confirming 6.5 years old and they aged him at 4. Looking at the jawbone the one I shot the year before had more toothwear but they aged that one at 3. Not sure if it was some mild winters that caused some missed rings or what, but the lab doesn't always get it right in my experience.