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.

 

[NY_BLUES]

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

That's no 2.5 year old, unless it's in a high fence situation with the combination of genetics and top quality nutrition. If that deer was 2.5 like you suggest, that photo from 2023 would be the largest 1.5 year old whitetail in the history of the world.

 

[Dsnow9]

@SwaggyD

 

[SwaggyD]

@SwaggyD

I would guess 4.5.

 

[shannerdrake]

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

Please post a photo of a 2.5yo in that class.

 

[shannerdrake]

4.5

 

[Johnny Bravo]

3.5

 

[pabearhunter]

 

[pabearhunter]

Here YOU GO BOYS!!!!!!

 

[pabearhunter]

Please post a photo of a 2.5yo in that class.

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 !

 

[F250]

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