looking for input on age for these two guys. I'm building my buck MLD cull list, and purely looking for Age thoughts. I like the width, but trying to determine potential: Sorry about the quality, the pics are snips from video.

Buck #1:






Buck #2

I see two deer 4-5 yo. I'd say buck 1 closer to 4 and buck 2 closer to 5

IMO, #1 is 3, #2 is 4. #1 would be history on our place.

No browtines or a single browtine is an automatic execution.
Adios,
Gary

I’d call #1 a 2 YO and #2 4 or older.

I think this may be Buck 1's third set of antlers (perhaps 2nd if he was a nubbin as a fawn) - that would put him at 2.5-3.5, best case. He might get lucky with a slickhead (depending on buck:doe ratios) before a more mature buck whips him and reminds him who runs the herd. If you are close to a 1:1 or 1:2 buck to doe ratio, I'd be inclined to see what develops on his head next year.

Buck 2 is mature, but not prime. 3.5-4.5? I like his frame; making the cull-list would be dependent on what the hit list looks like.

Thanks for all the input. I think I've decided, they both will go in the hit list for the Texas Youth Hunting Program young hunters that will come spend the weekend with us soon.

On my ranch, they would both be gone asap.

This

#1 is a management buck---DELETE

#2 appears to be 4.5 (and is going to shrink once he's hard horned)

Yup, but well-fed.

2&4

I see a 2 & 4/5 yr old. The 2 would be gone. He’s never going to have brow tines to speak of and is only expressing 5 points. The older buck is not going to suddenly get bigger next year, he is showing what he is and he’s an inferior 8 point with those small crab claws. They’ll make kids on your youth hunt very happy.

I agree the first buck shows youth to me, second one is middle aged but older enough to be better than he is.

I’d bet if buck 1 is given a few years he will look a lot like buck 2.

On a second and third look, #1 is 3+ and #2 is a 4yo

This is what I'm seeing. I'd shoot #2 and leave #1.



Also this, I bet those two have pretty similar genetics.

This place your hunting wouldnt of happen to be in Mills county is it?

Eliminate them both.

Menard County

That is my plan given all the feedback (thanks to everyone btw).

I think that is a good call for these 2. thanks for supporting TYHP