Educated Opinions Needed please

Guys,

Here are a couple of pics of the same little buck. I'd like to know age, score and potential please.

He's a main frame 10 with split brow tines.




Thanks,

Mel

that deer looks young, probably 2.5. He's got the potential to be a real stud in a few years.

looks at least 3 to me. More/better pictures will help get you a better answer if you have them.

I'd say 2.5

Those are all I have...my guess was that it's 115-120 2 1/2 years. Potentially 140, maybe during a great year, 5 yrs+ 150.

Thoughts? Am I crazy?

Age: Young - 2 1/2 probably
Score: not much now.
Potential: high

3

That deer in the top pic behind the feed pen/small mesquite doesn't resemble a 2.5 yo to me.

Where is this property? I don't think that deer scores quite that high this year, but I'd agree that he could potentially exceed 140" if he is in fact a 2.5 years old in these photos. In another month it'll be a lot easier to age deer after they lose their velvet and start getting beefed up for the rut. That's when you'll be able to nail down his age with more certainty, as a 2.5 and a 3.5 year old buck are usually going to be fairly easy to tell apart.

I think he is between 100-110 at best for score. He is 3yr old to me. At this age he does not have much tine length but if he is younger than 3 then he could make a good jump in the future.

How old is the Chupa in the pen in the first picture?

Mature coon...take him this year, he's ready.

3 yo depending on area and genetics potential size may grow to mid 140's would be my best guess

That's funny. I've been fortunate to hunt with stx a few times. Learned a ton with each trip. We typically see deer pretty much the same. I've got him at 3 and 111" with velvet. Knock 2.5% off that for hard antler. By no means do I know a fraction of what stx has forgotten.

But it's reassuring to know some of his lessons endure. And will possibly, forever.

Thanks guys! The reason I ask is because we really don't have and rules/standards as far as what to shoot or what to let walk so I was wanting to get the info to share with the other guys as to the age of the buck and the potential if we pass on shooting this one this year.

I agree 2.5 yrs. He will finish out pretty nice and may tempt someone. IF NECESSARY I would be damn firm with the other hunters to let him pass for two more yrs. Nice deer!

It would be a shame for someone to take that young buck this coming season. He has good potential. Unfortunately though, some people see 'horns' and shoot. Years ago I had a jeep load of customers on a hunt in S Tx, and I made it clear that only 8 points and above were to be taken. I put them all on stands and later heard a few shots from one stand. Later, when I went to pick that guy up, he had shot a little 4 point a couple of times. The guy was vibrating like a tuning fork and could hardly talk. He had no clue about how many points the little buck had. I couldn't bring myself to fuss at him.