Help me age this WT deer

[GearJunky]

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 -

Photos from 2024 (summer to end of December in order) -

For reference 150” deer I killed in 2023 and he aged out at 5.5 years old.

 

[Southern Elk]

4.5 He's going to be a stud this year.

 

[Nick87]

4.5

 

[Sheltowee]

I'd guess 3.5-4.5, probably 4.5. His shoulders are still a little downhill of his hips. A fully mature buck will generally be front heavy like a meathead that skips leg day.

 

[Wind Gypsy]

Old enough to catch a bullet. You must have some setup if he gets a pass.

 

[GearJunky]

Old enough to catch a bullet. You must have some setup if he gets a pass.

More accurately the deer is lucky and we suck at hunting. He walked by a few archers at 80+ yards, so he won those days. He then came out once during rifle and walked by me at under 75 yards and fed around for ten minutes. I was planning to take my son out the following day, so I didn’t have the heart to kill him the day before. After that he disappeared until the end of the season.

We will be ready in 2025

 

[WildWill]

What state you in? I'll throw another vote at 4.5 years.

 

[pabearhunter]

I was also wondering what state he is in. Depends on soil condition and food sources. Could be 2.5 up to 4.5.

 

[Bonasababy]

Impossible to age from antlers. At least 3 1/2 now if your first photo was a year or two back--probably not older than 6. Latitude and nutrition both can play a role, as well as individual genetics.

 

[GearJunky]

He is located in Montana, has a river bottom to hide in, and is surrounded by sugar beets, corn and wheat.

We have killed some bucks that have ranged in age from 3.5-9.5 years old. I would agree, the horns give no indication. The biggest rack was the 3.5 year old old and he was a 150” 4x4.

This guy seems to be a way bigger frame than anything we have seen, but he has less mass.