Anybody able to tell me what's going on with this guy? He's a lot darker than the other deer in my area. His head gear seems to have all the points but they just arent going anywhere. Is he older?
Looks like he's just a goofy racked buck. hard to tell witha July body, but he looks to be 3-4 yrs old.
Several different things. You kind of get a feel for it after a while. If you look at the belly line, if you cant see any white hair (belly hanging down) that's one indicator if a young deer. back line on an older deer is straight or swayed slightly. A hunped back usually indicates a younger deer. If the chest appears smaller than the hindquarters its usually younger than 4. Mature bucks have big barrel chests and appear to stand more "level". hanging skin on the brisket usually indicates an older deer. 2 year olds often look like slightly larger yearling bucks, still pretty spindly. 3 year olds typically have that "racehorse" look. Legs still look long but the body has filled out considerably. 4 year olds get noticeably heavier, bigger necks, start to develop a bit of a gut, but usually not very much. 5+ year old deer look like bulls. big blocky heads, gut, sway back, big burly shoulders....but all of those things are difficult to determine from summer velvet pics sometimes. Much easier during the season. Disclaimer: None of this should be treated as the bible on deer aging, just what i have personally observed in the Midwest.
I was meaning, he was a new deer to area....nothing directed at you or your post. My humor is better in person, MOBU
