Age this big woods buck

My friend sent me these pictures of a buck that has been frequenting his 40 acres way up in northern MN. Just looking for opinions on his age from the bowhunting.com forum experts . I told him I figured at least 4.5. For the record if he steps out in daylight his age isn't going to save him either way . I know it's usually tough to age by just a few pictures but take a guess anyway.








Here's one from earlier in the summer.








And him last year.

 

5 or older

 

I'm not real good with age but my guess is 4 to 4.5. He grew up nice form last year though. Good luck!

 

Im guessing 5 also. huge gut, sway back, and big brisket. Either that or he's been eating some good vittles.

 

Yea those rocks and sticks can really pack on the pounds sometimes .

 

I'm going to stay on the conservative side and say 4.5. His back does looked swayed but only in the one photo. That could have been the camera angle or the way he was standing. He definitely has a paunch so I'll say 4.5. Nice buck either way.

Blessings..........Pastorjim

 

Yes he did, which is why I'd say 4. Last year with that short face he was a nice 3-3.5 yr old max.

 

I'm saying five or older.

 

Nice rack and body. No real guess but mature for sure

 

I'm going with 5.5 also.

 

I'd say he is 5.5 at a bare minimum.

 

I'd say 4 or 5. Hard to really say though. 3-7 is certainly possible. They're hard to age up here unless you can catch them at 2.5 yo IMO.

Buster is 6.5 this Fall. Some pics he still looks 3. Othersdd he looks like and ancient monster.

Lot's of iron to support his growing body

 

Thanks for the input everybody. I don't have much experience with aging deer and honestly it doesn't much matter for the hunting I do. If I see a deer that I feel like shooting then I shoot.

Why do you think it's harder to age them up here Fitz? Is it the multiple external stresses placed on them? Nutritional deficiencies? Or is it something as simple as not being able to see them as much? Trail cam pics, on the hoof, etc. etc.

 

A little of each, but honestly, I think they're hard to pinpoint anywhere. Deer are like people. Sure, they have tendencies, but they all have different builds. We all know you can't really go off of their rack, and depending the angle of the photos, both body and racks can look so different.

Here's a post I made last summer to illustrate my point. http://forums.bowhunting.com/showthread.php/63017-Aging-deer-by-body-size

 

Hadn't seen that thread before, very interesting.

 

Based on the picture from last year which I would guestimate at 4, I would say he is 5ish this year.