Age this Hill Country Buck

[M16]

Neck just doesn’t seem thick enough for older than 4.5.. but obviously this isn’t close to rutty neck either with all that fuzz on his horns... another good reference I like to see is the size of the hocks and the wear on his front knees from getting up from his bed all these years. Thoughts?

All excellent indicators of age. Except the neck and hocks won't be useful for another month give or take. He's got some sway in his back and a pretty good pot belly going on. He's also got a visible depression in his forehead which is also a good indicator. Just looking at his face in general he's not ancient but he's not young either.

Those long legs make him look younger. But different bucks have different body configurations so you can't always go by that. How they walk is another good indicator. Younger bucks have that smooth fluid gait. Older bucks have that choppy arthritic gait. Something you don't get with a still photo. Camera angles can change a lot of things as well. Aging off pictures is somewhat of a crapshoot at times.

[deerwatcher51]

All excellent indicators of age. Except the neck and hocks won't be useful for another month give or take. He's got some sway in his back and a pretty good pot belly going on. He's also got a visible depression in his forehead which is also a good indicator. Just looking at his face in general he's not ancient but he's not young either.

Those long legs make him look younger. But different bucks have different body configurations so you can't always go by that. How they walk is another good indicator. Younger bucks have that smooth fluid gait. Older bucks have that choppy arthritic gait. Something you don't get with a still photo. Camera angles can change a lot of things as well. Aging off pictures is somewhat of a crapshoot at times.

Well said, Larry.

[peterp63]

Well said, Larry.

Agreed. Thanks for that!

[IOWA BOW HUNTER]

4.3

[Puncher51]

Alright, now watch this video and let me know your guesses. It sure changed my opinion.

https://youtu.be/rimg3aMxSbQ

[Throwin Darts]

I think you need a more current hard horn pic to really age him. Its hard to age deer accurately in early August.

[TXHUNT3R]

Alright, now watch this video and let me know your guesses. It sure changed my opinion.
https://youtu.be/rimg3aMxSbQ

That dude is old, 6+ good target buck IMO.

[chase15]

i think hes 7+ based on the video

[BitBackShot]

He looks older in the video. Muscle tone isn't very tight like a thoroughbred, which starts giving way to mass and sagging at 5+. I'd guess 5-7, but he's a tough one with those long legs.

[Antlers86]

6 possibly older

[Arrowthreat]

5 plus. Very solid deer for that area. He's a smart sucker to stay alive for that long.

[220swift]

That dude is old, 6+ good target buck IMO.

This^

[hound dog]

neck skinny, doesn't even meet his brisket yet. 3.5years

[Tomkat70]

5+

[Hoss163]

Yep more like 7.5