Trying again-Aging deer in the Field - TexasBowhunter.com Community Discussion Forums

Mike Murphey · 10-08-2018, 02:49 PM

With all the people asking about age.....
https://www.qdma.com/aging-bucks-on-the-hoof/

dustoffer · 10-08-2018, 10:59 PM

I keep it simple--they are either young (up to 2.5), middle-age (3.5-5.5) or old (5.5+)

Deadeye Mex · 10-09-2018, 11:22 AM

I have been fortunate enough to hunt ranches with an established age structure for many years. This gives you the advantage of seeing and watching bucks of all ages in front of you at the same time on the same hunt. It also allows you to follow the characteristics of a particular buck throughout his life to 6, 7 or even older sometimes.

If I did not have this experience and most of my sightings were of 3 year old bucks and younger, I think it would be real hard for me to age a buck to be 5 or 6.

Aging on the hoof is never going to be a science, its a best guess but the more that we study and practice the better we can get. There is still no substitute for watching a deer grow up and get old.

offthemap · 10-09-2018, 11:45 AM

I'm on a new lease and I think a bunch of the guys out there don't know how to properly age a deer on the hoof. Can y'all recommend a field guide that has pictures or illustrations of what to look for? I want to buy one and put it out in the camp house.

Mexico · 10-09-2018, 11:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dustoffer

I keep it simple--they are either young (up to 2.5), middle-age (3.5-5.5) or old (5.5+)

Biologist put it this way

Immature 1.5 to 3.5
Mature 4.5 to 6.5
Post Mature 7.5 +

Walker · 10-09-2018, 11:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by offthemap

I'm on a new lease and I think a bunch of the guys out there don't know how to properly age a deer on the hoof. Can y'all recommend a field guide that has pictures or illustrations of what to look for? I want to buy one and put it out in the camp house.

Dont know who puts it out but at my buddies lease they have a laminated age progression card in every blind., Ill google and see if I can find it.

Walker · 10-09-2018, 12:00 PM

Everytime I click on it my phone leaves google, but the card we had is progressive inhanced photos of the same deer in the same posture.

Big pig · 10-11-2018, 06:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mexico

Biologist put it this way

I think every blind needs one of those laminated sheets.

Immature 1.5 to 3.5
Mature 4.5 to 6.5
Post Mature 7.5 +

I’ve heard this. But I Never considered a four mature Or a 7.5 post mature.

10-08-2018, 02:49 PM	#1
Mike Murphey Pope & Young Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Deer Park, Texas Hunt In: Fort McKavett, Texas	Trying again-Aging deer in the Field With all the people asking about age..... https://www.qdma.com/aging-bucks-on-the-hoof/

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10-08-2018, 10:59 PM	#2
dustoffer Pope & Young Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Seguin, Tx Hunt In: S/Central Tx	I keep it simple--they are either young (up to 2.5), middle-age (3.5-5.5) or old (5.5+)

10-09-2018, 11:22 AM	#3
Deadeye Mex Four Point Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: Cypress TX Hunt In: Mexico	I have been fortunate enough to hunt ranches with an established age structure for many years. This gives you the advantage of seeing and watching bucks of all ages in front of you at the same time on the same hunt. It also allows you to follow the characteristics of a particular buck throughout his life to 6, 7 or even older sometimes. If I did not have this experience and most of my sightings were of 3 year old bucks and younger, I think it would be real hard for me to age a buck to be 5 or 6. Aging on the hoof is never going to be a science, its a best guess but the more that we study and practice the better we can get. There is still no substitute for watching a deer grow up and get old.

10-09-2018, 11:45 AM	#4
offthemap Ten Point Join Date: May 2010 Location: Tyler Hunt In: Houston, Anderson, Cherokee, Smith, Knox, Foard	I'm on a new lease and I think a bunch of the guys out there don't know how to properly age a deer on the hoof. Can y'all recommend a field guide that has pictures or illustrations of what to look for? I want to buy one and put it out in the camp house.

10-09-2018, 12:00 PM	#7
Walker Ten Point Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: San Antonio	Everytime I click on it my phone leaves google, but the card we had is progressive inhanced photos of the same deer in the same posture.