Please help me age this deer

[CGWVU]

I'm not sure if this is allowed but I would love some opinions! Will this buck be getting any bigger if allowed to grow for another year??

 

[Tommytrees]

 

[BoomFlop]

The pictures are not very good. However, based on the pictures i would put him at 2.5 years old. Front shoulders are smaller than hind quarters. No muscle structure too him.

To answer your question as to whether he will get bigger if you let him go another year....at 2.5 yo, he definitely has maturing to do, but I'll promise you he won't get bigger if you shoot him.

100% your call!

Good luck and be safe!
Steve

 

[Pmacc60]

Would you be happy to shoot that buck? If you would then take him if the opportunity presents itself. The buck is mature and a nice buck for WV or most places , antlers are thick and wide so my guess is it 31/2 years are older. Yes I would take him and let next year take care of it's self!

 

[Buster Hemlock]

Tell us some more. Where are the photos from as far as state and what are the genetics like in your more immediate area? He still looks to have a lot of definition in his body and doesn't have that thick look of an old deer. I'd call him 3 1/2 possibly 2 1/2 if your in an area known for big deer. He will get bigger if he lives another year and isn't injured through the rut. If you know no one will shoot him and are looking for antlers let him walk and then see what he looks like next year. Most people will say that 6 1/2 to 7 1/2 is where deer are at their biggest

 

[Mram10us]

Were those pics really taken in 2017?

 

[Korhil78]

He will definitely get bigger. He is a young buck.

 

[CGWVU]

Tell us some more. Where are the photos from as far as state and what are the genetics like in your more immediate area? He still looks to have a lot of definition in his body and doesn't have that thick look of an old deer. I'd call him 3 1/2 possibly 2 1/2 if your in an area known for big deer. He will get bigger if he lives another year and isn't injured through the rut. If you know no one will shoot him and are looking for antlers let him walk and then see what he looks like next year. Most people will say that 6 1/2 to 7 1/2 is where deer are at their biggest

To answer your question, no genetics are pretty bad in this part of the state. WV has AWFUL deer management. Too many people believe if it's brown it's down. I've attached two of the next biggest bucks on cam on the property. We own 600 acres and are trying to build up a strong deer herd and manage on our own however public land borders the property making it difficult. My largest buck to date from the property was 110" and was considered rare big buck. Was about 2.5 yrs and wasn't wider than the ears. It's located middle of the state with litte nutrition so we aren't regularly growing huge deer

 

[CGWVU]

Were those pics really taken in 2017?

No it's a trash-co camera and it won't let us change the date. Pics were taken early this AM

 

[Mram10us]

I was going to say

 

[Korhil78]

let me rephrase....he will get bigger if he survives the onslaught.

 

[Pmacc60]

Very true !

 

[The Oregonian]

I would guess 3.5...

 

[swe123]

I'd say 2.5. He's got some growing to do.