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Quick, tell-tale signs of an older buck #6990742 12/10/17 06:41 PM
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What tells you first that you're looking at a older buck. Put your responses in the order in which you can most quickly know he's an old buck.

1. Legs that appear short and somewhat stumpy for the body.

2. Sagging belly.

3. A full neck that slopes straight or slightly outward into the chest area with no inward curve.

4. Thick and very strong-looking hind quarters.

5. Antlers that appear weak relative to the size of the deer. They may show good main beam mass but poor tines that don't match the beams. The main beams may also appear poorly matched for roundness and overall appearance.


"Some people will never like you because your spirit irritates their demons."
Re: Quick, tell-tale signs of an older buck [Re: Texas Dan] #6990754 12/10/17 06:50 PM
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Brisket....belly....


Originally Posted by Sneaky
I believe in science and I’m an insufferable [censored]
Originally Posted by beaversnipe
Actually, BBC is pretty damn good

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Re: Quick, tell-tale signs of an older buck [Re: Texas Dan] #6990822 12/10/17 07:41 PM
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1) Neck line is straight line from jaw line to bottom of chest. Although full, it does not appear to be oversized in proportion to the deer.
2) Head is not but appears to be short. Distance from forehead to jaw line is close to the same as the distance from the forehead to the nose. That is the look describing roman nosed. Eyes appear to look smaller. Ears give the appearance of being smaller.
3) Body is full and well developed. Everything is in proportion and gives the appearance of being short legged to the animal. Skin is no longer tight and will have the appearance of being loose on the neck and shoulders. Depending on the range condition and stage of the rut the animal may or may not be potbellied. I don't often see the sway back often talked about even in animals well over 6.5 years old in the area I hunt.
4) I do not factor antler development into age determination.


Smokey Bear---Lone Star State.
Re: Quick, tell-tale signs of an older buck [Re: Texas Dan] #6990844 12/10/17 08:21 PM
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You said quick... short, rounded face

It's always the first thing I see

Re: Quick, tell-tale signs of an older buck [Re: GusWayne] #6990850 12/10/17 08:26 PM
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Originally Posted By: procraft05
You said quick... short, rounded face

It's always the first thing I see


X2

Re: Quick, tell-tale signs of an older buck [Re: Texas Dan] #6990856 12/10/17 08:28 PM
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Usually an older buck makes other bucks and does it's feeding with look like fawns.



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Once i learned that i didn't "NEED" to kill something, and that if i did kill something all the fun stopped and work began, i was a much better hunter.
Re: Quick, tell-tale signs of an older buck [Re: Texas Dan] #6990935 12/10/17 09:32 PM
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Hocks that are dark and run down to his hooves.. And then a big neck. You see those, then he ain't no baby..


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Re: Quick, tell-tale signs of an older buck [Re: Texas Dan] #6991004 12/10/17 10:57 PM
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Yep. Have to agree. And a stiff gait, like he's got arthritis.If you're lucky enough to find one using a walker, then you found Grandaddy.

Last edited by Erathkid; 12/10/17 10:58 PM.

Life is too short, as is. Don't chance it.
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Re: Quick, tell-tale signs of an older buck [Re: Smokey Bear] #6991355 12/11/17 03:48 AM
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Originally Posted By: Smokey Bear
Skin is no longer tight and will have the appearance of being loose on the neck and shoulders.


Great comment and observation. You can quickly see wrinkles in the skin as an older buck walks or turns his head and neck. Just think of sagging breasts and you get the idea.

Thanks for all the replies. Being disciplined enough to draw your initial focus on the legs and body of a buck is something I still struggle with every time I see one. I'm sure its a condition I share with many others. But at least I'm aware of the weakness.


"Some people will never like you because your spirit irritates their demons."
Re: Quick, tell-tale signs of an older buck [Re: Texas Dan] #6991394 12/11/17 04:12 AM
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They eat dinner at 4:30


The very atmosphere of firearms anywhere and everywhere restrains evil interference. -George Washington
Re: Quick, tell-tale signs of an older buck [Re: TFF Caribou] #6991837 12/11/17 04:45 PM
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Originally Posted By: Tff caribou
They eat dinner at 4:30


roflmao

Re: Quick, tell-tale signs of an older buck [Re: Texas Dan] #6991840 12/11/17 04:47 PM
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This is a good share. I feel like I can typically point out a mature deer. What I have a harder time with is distinguishing the difference between a 4.5 yo and a 6.5 yo+

Last edited by D'hanis; 12/11/17 04:58 PM.
Re: Quick, tell-tale signs of an older buck [Re: Texas Dan] #6992006 12/11/17 06:44 PM
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Wheel-chair marks and grey hair.
Seriously....
Have to say by the face (round nose) and the way that he walks.

Re: Quick, tell-tale signs of an older buck [Re: Texas Dan] #6992042 12/11/17 07:11 PM
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He has 10 points shoot him...right away

Re: Quick, tell-tale signs of an older buck [Re: D'hanis] #6992076 12/11/17 07:38 PM
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Originally Posted By: D'hanis
What I have a harder time with is distinguishing the difference between a 4.5 yo and a 6.5 yo+


A sagging belly is a tell-tale sign of a buck that's at least six years old. Nothing is sagging on a buck that's four or less.

Comments?


"Some people will never like you because your spirit irritates their demons."
Re: Quick, tell-tale signs of an older buck [Re: Texas Dan] #6992081 12/11/17 07:40 PM
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Originally Posted By: Texas Dan
Originally Posted By: D'hanis
What I have a harder time with is distinguishing the difference between a 4.5 yo and a 6.5 yo+


A sagging belly is a tell-tale sign of a buck that's at least six years old. Nothing is yet to sag on a buck that's four or less.

Comments?


Some deer will never have a saggy belly.


It's hell eatin em live
Re: Quick, tell-tale signs of an older buck [Re: Wacm] #6992087 12/11/17 07:42 PM
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Originally Posted By: Wacm
He has 10 points shoot him...right away


Reminds me of those basket-racked bucks that were all the norm on meat poles in East Texas before AR's were put in place.


"Some people will never like you because your spirit irritates their demons."
Re: Quick, tell-tale signs of an older buck [Re: Texas Dan] #6992106 12/11/17 07:54 PM
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Originally Posted By: Texas Dan
Originally Posted By: Wacm
He has 10 points shoot him...right away


Reminds me of those basket-racked bucks that were all the norm on meat poles in East Texas before AR's were put in place.


Always reminds me of when I first got the urge to start paying more attention to age etc. with deer. I had a 9 point buck come out. He wasn't much, but had 4 on the beams. In the 10 years I had been hunting I had never seen a deer with more typical points on the beams than a typical 8 and so I was considering shooting this baby 9pt just because he had 1 more point than I had ever seen on the beam even though he was a baby of a deer. I decided to let him go. Later that season the 80+ year old man who owned the place shot him and was pleased as punch with him and shortly after passed away, looking back on it I was glad I didn't shoot him for two reason.


It's hell eatin em live
Re: Quick, tell-tale signs of an older buck [Re: redchevy] #6992229 12/11/17 09:34 PM
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Originally Posted By: redchevy
Originally Posted By: Texas Dan
Originally Posted By: D'hanis
What I have a harder time with is distinguishing the difference between a 4.5 yo and a 6.5 yo+


A sagging belly is a tell-tale sign of a buck that's at least six years old. Nothing is yet to sag on a buck that's four or less.

Comments?


Some deer will never have a saggy belly.


A 4 year old will have a cylindrical shape from front to back. The line from the bottom of the chest to the hams will usually parallel the top of the back giving the body a barrel shape. The skin on the neck and shoulders will be tight and easily show muscle definition giving the look of a young college athlete in his prime. The neck may still look slightly oversized. The head will still appear longer than deep.

A 6 year olds body will be completely filled out on his frame unless it is late in the rut. The neck will be big but will no longer appear over sized and match the body. The fuller body will give the appearance of being short legged. The skin will no longer be tight, consequently muscle tone will not be as evident. Physically the buck is at his peak. The head will appear to be shorter because the depth from the forehead will be roughly equal to the length from the forehead. The increased depth will give the eyes the appearance of being smaller. If the range conditions are optimal and the herd is not stressed there may be a noticeable belly.


Smokey Bear---Lone Star State.
Re: Quick, tell-tale signs of an older buck [Re: Texas Dan] #6992810 12/12/17 06:32 AM
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Roman Nose, sagging gut, gray muzzle,light colored antlers.


Old age and treachery beats youth and stupid every time!
Re: Quick, tell-tale signs of an older buck [Re: Texas Dan] #6992826 12/12/17 11:39 AM
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I hear morrons say I've been hunting that old buck for 10 years.


Recently got a gym membership, strange folks! I like to show up the roid zombies with my full motion curls with the 55lb. bells. Not their cheater short stroked light weights. It's holarious.
Re: Quick, tell-tale signs of an older buck [Re: Texas Dan] #6993288 12/12/17 05:15 PM
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Short legs and eyes that appear devilish..


"You may all go to hell and I will go to Texas".
Re: Quick, tell-tale signs of an older buck [Re: Texas Dan] #6993328 12/12/17 05:38 PM
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At feeder everyday I'm not hunting, Never at feeder when I am hunting.

Re: Quick, tell-tale signs of an older buck [Re: sprigsss] #6993338 12/12/17 05:43 PM
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Originally Posted By: sprigsss
At feeder everyday I'm not hunting, Never at feeder when I am hunting.


This


Originally Posted by Chunky Monkey
Never been to a camping world. I prefer Dick's to be honest.
Re: Quick, tell-tale signs of an older buck [Re: Texas Dan] #6993509 12/12/17 07:49 PM
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With all of the above being said, what do ya'll age this deer at? I'd like to see how on or off my guess is

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