Wanting a little help on determining age on this buck. I passed on this deer twice at 25 yards in Northern Missouri. I’m not very good at determining age but would guess he’s a 3.5 year old?? Let me know what you think his age is and/or what he’d score if you’d like. And if you’d shoot him or let him walk by. I’m hoping he’s still around next year! Thanks in advance!
I think he's a year older than you think. His front end looks too short and heavy to me to just be 3. Here at home, I'd take him given the chance. He wouldn't be old enough to meet the minimum age on the ranch I manage.
I'd guess a solid 3.5 to 4.5 yr old. I didn't vote to shoot or walk, because that should be your decision, based on your tags and if there's a better buck in that area or not. My State allows 2 bucks a day, every day throughout the deer season. I have let many 8 points walk as well as numerous 10 points, just because I knew there was a bigger 14 in the area. So if it was me, and I knew there was a larger buck around, I'd let this one walk. And if you're sure he'll make it thru the season, I'd let him walk to see how big he'll be next season. I have this 1 particular buck I've been watching since he was a fawn (3.5 years now). I've named him Tiger, because he has white stripes high on both his sides. This year he's a healthy 8pt and I'll let him walk again, hoping he'll make it another season and be a respectable 10 or better next year. But that's just me. g/l
I personally don’t like telling someone to shoot or don’t shoot. When bow hunting and killing a buck is a trophy in itself and doesn’t need to be degraded on the size or age of a buck, but if you are asking on a management level I would say he’s at least 5 years old. Big body, looks to have a old white face. Heck he could be older than 5.
IMO he's a really nice buck. Every hunters experience will vary and their reasons for either shooting or letting walk will be different. If it were me in the stand, this is what I'd ask myself... 1. Would I be happy and proud to take that buck home? 2. What are the odds you'll get another chance at him next year? For me if I see a buck and my first instinct is to reach for my bow, he's probably gonna get an arrow in him. Whatever your reasoning is to either let him walk or shoot, make the decision for yourself and be confident you made the right decision for yourself. Best of luck to ya with what ever you decide.
I'm shooting all day long, and by that second image I'm not second guessing myself at all. I'm guessing 4 1/2 or 5 1/2, minimum.
They always look a lot bigger from the back. I won't shoot a buck unless I can get a good clean look at him broadside at least. That side view is what made me think he was probably not older than 4.5. I don't think he has the brisket of a 5 year old and his body lines are too clean and crisp. He's really nice and he may never grow more than what he has this year, complete personal judgment call.
I still think he is every bit of 4 1/2 Kinda hate these post because without definitive trailcam photos and markings/characteristics of the deer it is still a guess. Teeth aging is questioned, body aging is questioned, rack aging is questioned and even cementum annuli is questioned.
Yep, totally agree. There have been age verified deer pics posted on the forum as well that were way older than I would have ever guessed.
Where I hunted it would look like The Little Big Horn, (lots of arrows), if he walked through..... Sent from my XT1080 using Tapatalk
Shoot him in a heartbeat. For one hes a beauty but in my neck of the woods (Minnesota) there too many variables from year to year. Winter, coyotes, bears, wolves, and the gun slinging orange army all take there toll on the deer herd. But again, hes a beauty.
I would take him. If I didn't some shot gun chaser would and he would be better in my freezer than theirs.
I am also thinking 4.5 and he carries great mass, tine length and I know I wouldn't pass on my properties.
Wow... just finished registering on this site. Been here a 1000 times. Once he passed my stand and that branch in the way I believe Id have my best buck to date. If all went as planned. florida doesnt offer to many of those kind of deer. Neither does west virginia my home state. At least where i hunt that is.
