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Age, without seeing antlers?

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    Age, without seeing antlers?

    I am only asking so I can learn how to better judge the age of a deer. This buck is low fence, free range deer with no corn or protein currently being fed.
    This buck looks to be 3-4 years old, based on his belly and neck. What other features should I look at? The base of his antlers? The dewlap at his brisket? (BTW - I didn't crop the photo at all, this is how it was taken by the camera.)

    Click image for larger version

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    Last edited by Pistol; 10-14-2020, 09:43 PM.

    #2
    He's older than 3 or 4, closer to 6/7. That little chin flap gives it away. You won't see a deer 5 or younger with one.

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      #3
      6.5

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        #4
        Sway of the back, size and shape of the head. Agree with the others, he is an older deer

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          #5
          Let's count the ways. Roman nose, short face,, full neck/brisket, short legs, some sway in the back, and some sag in the belly, equals 7.5

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            #6
            Originally posted by Walker View Post
            Let's count the ways. Roman nose, short face,, full neck/brisket, short legs, some sway in the back, and some sag in the belly, equals 7.5
            Good analysis.

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              #7
              Agreed...7.5

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                #8
                Can’t guess exact age, but looks “mature” to me. For reference this is my target buck this season. He’s KNOWN min. 7.5. They have a lot in common
                Attached Files

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                  #9
                  Originally posted by Walker View Post
                  Let's count the ways. Roman nose, short face,, full neck/brisket, short legs, some sway in the back, and some sag in the belly, equals 7.5
                  Very helpful! Can you expand on "Roman Nose" vs. non roman nose. And chin flap I assume is related. I have a bunch of what, to me, are clearly very mature bucks on my property but I still don't know all the things to look for - an more importantly one vs. the other. I.e. "this is a mature back shape". "this is not" photos...

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                    #10
                    Roman nose is a hump from tip to brow.

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                      #11
                      That deer is way older then 3.5 lol. 5.5 mimimum with that head, brisket, and neck size. Safely would say 5.5/6.5

                      Either way mature

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                        #12
                        This is a really good chart.
                        Attached Files

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                          #13
                          Originally posted by gingib View Post
                          That deer is way older then 3.5 lol. 5.5 mimimum with that head, brisket, and neck size. Safely would say 5.5/6.5

                          Either way mature
                          I agree with this. I don't think 7.5, but it is just one picture so its very hard to tell. I think if he was 7+ in a pic like that there would be more obvious loose skin along the chin and brisket.

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                            #14
                            pictures annotated

                            So what y'all are telling me, these are the areas to consider?
                            Click image for larger version

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                            Click image for larger version

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                              #15
                              Another indicator I like to use is the size of the front shoulders. They get bigger as they mature and eventually rival the size of the hindquarters.

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