"He'll be a really nice buck next year." How many times have you heard someone say that about a buck they was? LOL

I was hunting for a doe this week when this 8 pt buck popped out for a photo session. He was fearless like he knew the buck season was over where I was hunting. He was chasing a doe around. This classic 8 ptr has the characteristics that I think make him easy to age. Slightly sway back, slight paunch while head & neck are streamline. Horns light colored & not real heavy yet. Really black hock shows he means big-boy business. I'm guessing 4-1/2 YO. Some ranches would call him a mature 8 & therefore a cull. What do you think?



I never get tired of watching WT bucks!

I'd say a rutted down five. Dark staining going down legs leads credence to more age. Hips are showing where there used to be muscle.

I'd call him a management 8 on my place.

I would agree with all of the above.

He is at least a 5yr old. Really rutted down and they look younger this time of the year. Depends on how many mature bucks you have as to what I would call him.

I couldn't disagree with 5yo

Rutted down bad and I think he is 5.5 if not even older.

5.5, I might have shot him on principal that he should be bigger at that age.

Not necessary....the genetics in some areas may not reach the peak antler growth till a buck reaches 7 yrs old or older.

That was where the 'might' comes in. At our place, they make the biggest jumps from 3.5-4.5 and from 4.5-5.5. That buck at our place would be disappointing for 5.5 and given the year most people had for antlers, he would be deemed a management buck. I've got 5-6 that made the end of the season that are better than that at either the same age or younger.

Fact is, nobody knows for sure what this buck will be like next year if he even makes it to next year. He's definitely on the "mature" scale and if one likes his look, I say "let him have it" with both barrels...

We call that a shooter in east Texas . Hope he becomes what you want next year

X2