Forums46
Topics537,757
Posts9,728,758
Members87,039
|
Most Online25,604 Feb 12th, 2024
|
|
|
How old to deer get, really?
#6114840
01/02/16 07:10 PM
|
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 1,666
John Humbert
OP
Pro Tracker
|
OP
Pro Tracker
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 1,666 |
Well, after taking some flack from a post I made a few weeks ago on deer age - I've am posting this link for your reading pleasure. While most of the article gives examples of deer in HF operations, several examples from LF properties are also given - particularly the King ranch. The facts are that a 5-yo WT buck can really be considered middle-aged, mature but with a LOT more years in him. And a doe may just be getting started at 5yo. There are many factors, of course - not the least of which is good nutrition. But I still contend that shooting a 6 or 7yo just because "he won't live another year naturally" is simply an excuse not backed up by facts. Note this article does not address peak antler size - but I know more than a few folks with nice ranches that manage/breed their WT with deer that reach their peak at well past 5.5 years - deer that are harvested in the 8,9, and 10yo range with impressive racks not in decline. https://www.qdma.com/articles/whats-the-oldest-deer-on-record
|
|
|
Re: How old to deer get, really?
[Re: John Humbert]
#6114856
01/02/16 07:22 PM
|
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 868
GimmeABuck
Tracker
|
Tracker
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 868 |
That was an interesting read, thanks for sharing.
|
|
|
Re: How old to deer get, really?
[Re: John Humbert]
#6114858
01/02/16 07:24 PM
|
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 6,358
jshouse
THF Trophy Hunter
|
THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 6,358 |
I saw one on my lease this year with a real good possibility of being 9+, low fence NE Texas. We just got another one on cam a week or so ago that we had at "mature" in 2012 and will make another year unless hes killed tomorrow. my neighbor killed one 2 days ago that we thought was 5 in 2012. All of these 3 had smaller antlers this year than last.
On my family place I have seen at least 2 make 7yo and one is probably 8. Both will most likely not be killed by hunters this year.
If I send my neighbors a text and ask them to give me feedback on my lawn and plant rye into a giant dong pattern, I'm probably going to get some less than positive feedback. Same goes here.
|
|
|
Re: How old to deer get, really?
[Re: jshouse]
#6115661
01/03/16 04:17 AM
|
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 7,179
therancher
THF Trophy Hunter
|
THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 7,179 |
We have an 11 year old deer that still is in the 220 range. Best antlers were at 9 yo 266.
Crotchety old bastidge
|
|
|
Re: How old to deer get, really?
[Re: John Humbert]
#6115829
01/03/16 11:42 AM
|
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 29,602
Sneaky
THF Celebrity
|
THF Celebrity
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 29,602 |
I killed a doe that was at least 10, this year, on a low fence lease. She wasn't real thick, but seemed to be in pretty good health. Her teeth weren't wore down as much as I thought they would be.
|
|
|
Re: How old to deer get, really?
[Re: John Humbert]
#6115883
01/03/16 01:30 PM
|
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 6,032
tlk
THF Trophy Hunter
|
THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 6,032 |
I will have to look for it but I read an article/study early last year where they radio collared a number of bucks and tracked them. Seems like they study showed that up to 25% of bucks died off per year - mostly due to predators and the effects of the rut. The other issue I have read about for years is that the other primary cause of death is deer losing their ability to chew due to tooth erosion. If supplemental feed is available then the teeth supposedly don't wear as fast and therefore they live longer.
I will try to find that article and post it. I have never doubted that their are some deer capable of living in the wild (LF) to older ages over 10 but I am still skeptical that a majority of them can live to those ages. Interesting topic
You can't fix stupid
|
|
|
Re: How old to deer get, really?
[Re: John Humbert]
#6116054
01/03/16 03:33 PM
|
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 22,251
Texas Dan
THF Celebrity
|
THF Celebrity
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 22,251 |
Many believe that once a buck reaches five or six, the chances of harvesting him drop significantly since they usually go totally nocturnal. Here's a photo of a buck that was taken by a friend's game camera he had on the fence line edge of the Davey Crockett National Forest. We both agreed the buck likely died of old age somewhere in the Forest.
"Some people will never like you because your spirit irritates their demons."
|
|
|
Re: How old to deer get, really?
[Re: John Humbert]
#6116101
01/03/16 04:18 PM
|
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 4,459
majekman
Extreme Tracker
|
Extreme Tracker
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 4,459 |
If deer had dentists....who knows how long they could live....
|
|
|
Moderated by bigbob_ftw, CCBIRDDOGMAN, Chickenman, Derek, DeRico, Duck_Hunter, hetman, jeh7mmmag, JustWingem, kmon11, kry226, kwrhuntinglab, Payne, pertnear, rifleman, sig226fan (Rguns.com), Superduty, TreeBass, txcornhusker
|