I thought it would be cool to show two pictures of a buck almost exactly a year apart in the exact same place. I put him as a 2 1/2 yo last year making him 3 1/2 yo this year. I knew the rack looked similar, but the dark spot on the white of his neck gives him away. Not a whole lot of inches added to the rack. Maybe a little taller tines and more mass, but he definitely packed on the pounds. It's just fun to be able to watch a buck progress from year to year. I'd love to see what he looks like next year, but I also like meat in my freezer so we'll see how this plays out.
Good looking buck!!! I'm not going to lie, it would be real hard for me to pass him up. I really like the crab claw on his left side.
Wait another year or two. He really doesn't look that much bigger in 2016. In general I think they put the most on in 4th, 5th and even 6th years.
I think you may be mistaken. I think this deer is 4 1/2 this year. never saw a 2 year old with a rack like the 2015 pic. unless it was on a deer farm. Just my opinion. I could be wrong.
I don't base a deer's age off of rack size. I base it off body size/shape. I should have posted a better picture of last year to get a better view of his body. Long, slender, with not a lot of muscle mass. On a side note, that's a basic 2 1/2 year old 8 point here in Iowa. Dime a dozen. They just have a tendency to get shot or disappear over gun and muzzleloader season.
that's a really cool looking 8. that would be tough to pass but I bet next year he will be unbelievable
