A little opinionism, por favor ??? MORE PHOTOS ADDED I passed this buck a few times because I felt he is a little too young. I judged this by his body, not by his rack. He's got decent mass(photos dont do justice) I took a few photos and video of him, while in stand. So, tell me what you think. Age ? Thanks.
It's not easy, but, I desire to shoot big bucks, so, I must have the discipline to pass younger bucks, otherwise, I'll just be disappointed. Desire without discipline can only return disappointment, right ?? When I first saw him from stand, he was 400yards out and closing. I grabbed my bow and positioned for a shot, just waiting for him to come within range. When he got closer, I didnt think he was old enough, judging by his body(this was around the tail end of "prime rut"). I hung my bow back up and shot him with a camera. I had him as close as 5 or 6 yards, still, body looked too small. It wasn't until after the rut that he started to blow up like he was on steroids. I bumped him one day, while walking in. I was going after a different buck, on a different part of this farm and walked right up on this guy. He jumps up, nearly giving me a heart attack, and just kind of bounded off to 40yards, stops, looks back and walks off. Let's just say, this was the day that I realized(or started to think) that I made an error in my age estimation !!
I'd say at least 3.5 yrs old. If you had an active rut,a buck is gonna lose alot of body weight...they really won't start feeding regularly til after the rut. I'da taken him
Yea....During previous years, I wanted to shoot 4.5yo or older bucks. It can be done, but, I have not shot a lot of bucks, so, I revised my standards to better suit the area I hunt, 3.5yo or older, now. I did pass on 2 deer I believe are 3.5yo, this season, but, I knew it then and did it for good reason. They were ok 3.5yo bucks, but, there are bigger 3.5yo walking around and so I elected to pass(different property). I'd never witnessed deer dropping soooo much weight. They're all pretty fat, now, though !! I messed up, plain and simple. I'm not overly concerned about it with this deer because he isn't a great 3.5yo. In fact, he is only a touch bigger than the 2- 3.5yo I passed, knowingly. Hopefully, next year, I am rewarded !! I'm betting on it . He has great mass. No tine length, but, I like his rack. Hope he makes it to next year. Yea, I wish I had some better ones to show you all. I'll have to search through my trail cam photos. Either way, if he is 2 or 3, he's not going to miss his next birthday because of me. Hopefully I can find his sheds.
You can not shoot a big buck if you shoot the medium sized ones. So you have made the right choice thus far. Very hard to guess the age but he could even be a big 2 1/2 year old. My guess is 3 1/2 though.
its hard to tell from the pics, it would help if i knew where you are, deer show a little different from different areas for instance a 2.5 year old here in Vermont is 150 to 170lbs give or take and that deer in saskatchewan is 170lbs+ however your buck has a really tight jaw, straight back, defined belly, chest doesnt seem to be real deep, face "looks" young to me, there is a good possibility he is only 2.5 yo, but most likely a 3.5 either way he clearly isnt past his prime, or even there yet so let him grow! If he isn't the caliber of buck you are going into the woods for you shouldn't be pulling the trigger. I'd much rather watch a young buck and hope to see him the next year than kill him just to fill my tag. Good pass, good luck next year.
Unless you're looking for advice regarding a strict, upper end management plan from others who implement such strategies, or, you're hunting with an outfitter on THEIR heavily managed property; what makes a buck a "shooter" is all personal preference.
