Young or Really Old?

[jt400]

At first glance I thought we had a really nice up and comer but the more I look at him the more I'm leaning towards post-mature. Thoughts?

[sweetinlow660]

I would lean towards post mature. His hocks are awful stained up for September. He's knock kneed and sway backed with a lot of white belly showing even though he has ribs showing as well.

[HighwayHunter]

Man that’s a tough one. Somewhat deep brisket, longer snout, big belly. I can see some old traits but it’s hard to tell. A video would really tell the story. I have one on camera that at first glance he looks like a 3.5 yr old but in video he could be post mature, it’s hard to tell. Same situation as this deer.


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[Antlers86]

That’s a mature deer and great typical set of head gear!

[Hills of Texas]

He looks older for sure. It can be tricky judging from a pic. There’s a certain point where as a nurture deer declines he can take on some traits that make him appear younger at first glance.

[Mexdeer19]

He looks young to me just maybe a little malnutrition. Could have gotten sick or hurt. Not much for a brisket and no calluses on his knees. Years of seeing a certain deer is the only true way to determine the exact age of a deer. Old deer generally look old in the face

[JBJTX81]

I'm on the not post mature crowd.

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[88 Bound]

Young.

[jt400]

3 young, 3 olds and an unsure...

[Matt_C]

I would lean towards post mature. His hocks are awful stained up for September. He's knock kneed and sway backed with a lot of white belly showing even though he has ribs showing as well.

^^^^^^^^ Good observations... I learned something.

[88 Bound]

3 young, 3 olds and an unsure...

One marker that never changes is the head/face. His body does look post-mature.

This buck has the look of a young deer in the face: long, narrow skull and nose. A post mature buck will have a body like that and have a short nose and a wide, blocky skull. Of course there are exceptions and this buck could very well be one.

Do you have any history with this deer?



Edit: he also has no sag in his brisket and no dimple in his flank.

[Archery1st]

I'm going young...no calluses on his knees to show a post mature buck and virtually slick on his bases. Typically an older deer will show calluses and burred bases.

[JBJTX81]

One marker that never changes is the head/face. His body does look post-mature.



This buck has the look of a young deer in the face: long, narrow skull and nose. A post mature buck will have a body like that and have a short nose and a wide, blocky skull. Of course there are exceptions and this buck could very well be one.



Do you have any history with this deer?

I'd add that most post mature deer don't have spindly symmetrical antlers. They tend to have more mass more kickers and less symmetry and smaller frames...Based on my observations.

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[tlh2865]

Young vote from me

[88 Bound]

I'd add that most post mature deer don't have spindly symmetrical antlers. They tend to have more mass more kickers and less symmetry and smaller frames...Based on my observations.

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Great point. I agree 100%.