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thinking maybe a 3.5 yearold? #5299488 09/10/14 10:44 PM
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what do you guys think? I am new to trying to age deer and just seeing if I am on the right track. Thanks







Re: thinking maybe a 3.5 yearold? [Re: NBH] #5299589 09/10/14 11:28 PM
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Looked older in some pics and a bit younger in the last pic. I would call him a 4yr old at least.


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Re: thinking maybe a 3.5 yearold? [Re: NBH] #5299610 09/10/14 11:38 PM
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I would say 4.5 +


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Re: thinking maybe a 3.5 yearold? [Re: NBH] #5299898 09/11/14 01:48 AM
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At least 4 1/2

Re: thinking maybe a 3.5 yearold? [Re: NBH] #5299909 09/11/14 01:53 AM
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I say 5, here in a few weeks he's really going to start showing his age.

Re: thinking maybe a 3.5 yearold? [Re: NBH] #5299920 09/11/14 01:58 AM
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he is #1 on my hit list. But I guess I really need to study up on the aging on the deer! Thanks for yalls input so far!

Re: thinking maybe a 3.5 yearold? [Re: NBH] #5299924 09/11/14 02:00 AM
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At least 4.5 maybe more ... I agree his age will show about the time bow season opens and the hormones start to build.

Re: thinking maybe a 3.5 yearold? [Re: NBH] #5299928 09/11/14 02:04 AM
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That high rise ten in the background looks plenty mature also!

Re: thinking maybe a 3.5 yearold? [Re: NBH] #5299930 09/11/14 02:06 AM
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I got more pics of him too but not any that are really good and clear

Re: thinking maybe a 3.5 yearold? [Re: NBH] #5299992 09/11/14 02:34 AM
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Velvet deer are the hardest to age.

Keep your trail cam photos and give each buck a folder , then compare after they get closer to rut. Betting he is 4 though


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Re: thinking maybe a 3.5 yearold? [Re: Perfect 8] #5300101 09/11/14 03:18 AM
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Originally Posted By: Perfect 8
At least 4.5 maybe more ... I agree his age will show about the time bow season opens and the hormones start to build.


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Re: thinking maybe a 3.5 yearold? [Re: txshntr] #5300153 09/11/14 03:36 AM
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It is VERY hard to age deer on the hoof accurately.

At BEST people should only hope to get within one year either side. Unless it's a yearling or a really old deer.

So now, what difference does it make if it's 3.5, or 4.5? There are SOOOO many uncontrollables that are going to determine his antler growth next year, which means you really can't guarantee if he's going to be significantly better at 4.5 or 5.5, than he is this year.

It is my experience that deer (both wild and penned) have their best antlers between 7.5 and 9.5. I know, conventional knowledge says 5.5-6.5. But maybe my deer are just unconventional.

Anyway, long way around to this: if you like the deer, shoot the deer. Especially if it's on a low fenced ranch with neighbors within a mile. Even if it's a high fenced ranch. Are you really going to get a lot more inches for a year's worth of feed? Sometimes you do, most of the time you don't.


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Re: thinking maybe a 3.5 yearold? [Re: NBH] #5300199 09/11/14 04:20 AM
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I'm thinking three


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Re: thinking maybe a 3.5 yearold? [Re: NBH] #5300344 09/11/14 11:08 AM
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at least 4.

Re: thinking maybe a 3.5 yearold? [Re: NBH] #5300432 09/11/14 12:11 PM
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4.5


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Re: thinking maybe a 3.5 yearold? [Re: therancher] #5300565 09/11/14 01:20 PM
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Originally Posted By: therancher
It is VERY hard to age deer on the hoof accurately.

At BEST people should only hope to get within one year either side. Unless it's a yearling or a really old deer.

So now, what difference does it make if it's 3.5, or 4.5? There are SOOOO many uncontrollables that are going to determine his antler growth next year, which means you really can't guarantee if he's going to be significantly better at 4.5 or 5.5, than he is this year.

It is my experience that deer (both wild and penned) have their best antlers between 7.5 and 9.5. I know, conventional knowledge says 5.5-6.5. But maybe my deer are just unconventional.

Anyway, long way around to this: if you like the deer, shoot the deer. Especially if it's on a low fenced ranch with neighbors within a mile. Even if it's a high fenced ranch. Are you really going to get a lot more inches for a year's worth of feed? Sometimes you do, most of the time you don't.


Quite a few biologists in south texas have the same sentiments. When they get to 7.5+, they aren't actively rutting as hard as when they were younger and more nutrition can be devoted to antler growth the following spring instead of having to put on weight lost during a hard rut.

Re: thinking maybe a 3.5 yearold? [Re: therancher] #5300592 09/11/14 01:32 PM
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Originally Posted By: therancher
It is VERY hard to age deer on the hoof accurately.

At BEST people should only hope to get within one year either side. Unless it's a yearling or a really old deer.

So now, what difference does it make if it's 3.5, or 4.5? There are SOOOO many uncontrollables that are going to determine his antler growth next year, which means you really can't guarantee if he's going to be significantly better at 4.5 or 5.5, than he is this year.

It is my experience that deer (both wild and penned) have their best antlers between 7.5 and 9.5. I know, conventional knowledge says 5.5-6.5. But maybe my deer are just unconventional.

Anyway, long way around to this: if you like the deer, shoot the deer. Especially if it's on a low fenced ranch with neighbors within a mile. Even if it's a high fenced ranch. Are you really going to get a lot more inches for a year's worth of feed? Sometimes you do, most of the time you don't.


The area your in will have a lot to do with that along with CC and population.

Re: thinking maybe a 3.5 yearold? [Re: NBH] #5300595 09/11/14 01:33 PM
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Buck is a 4yr old imo

Re: thinking maybe a 3.5 yearold? [Re: NBH] #5300649 09/11/14 01:50 PM
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He is 4 all day. If you wanted to call him 4 plus to cover any maybes or what ifs, go ahead. Good one to shoot.


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