Coming up on the 3rd season of having my own place and things are looking up after 2 years of feeders; anybody want to weigh in with their age thoughts on this 10pt?

3 year old

He's going to a hell of a buck if let to grow

You should post more.

I would guess 3 also.

Agreed!..... He's already on the protection list and if he can just make it through the coming season without being shot by a neighbor; or at least long enough to pass his genetics on during the rut.

Serious potential! I hope he keeps growing/breeding for you!

Looking really good and a couple really nice Toms also

Nice long beard too!

Looking good

Agree with the 3yo estimates. He is young and will be a dandy in a couple years.

Regarding the "spreading his genes", most bucks will impregnate one to 2 doe a year, and a 3 yo will be lucky to get 2. Unless ratios are way out of whack, genetic studies don't favor spreading his genes around much. Some, yes, but not much.

Reality is most doe come into estrus around the same time so by the time he latches on to one doe and breeds her over the course of a day or two, he doesn't have time to catch another as other bucks have already latched on to them. Again ratios being out of line can change this a little, but even then, it isn't likely a buck will get more than 2 doe a year.

Deer looks middle-aged (3-4 yr old) to me also. He will look a lot different in Sept and then later into Oct-Nov.