I have theory. I believe we are under aging deer a lot for the simple reason folks are afraid to be wrong or they simply do not know. I know guys that have never aged a deer over 4 years old. Every deer they see be it in pictures or on the hoof say oh he's only 4 or he's young when in reality the danged deer is prolly 6+. They are not willing to really go out and judge a deer's age. Its easier to just say he's young. No effort is needed, if your wrong then they say better safe than sorry. Its a cop out in my opinion. I also think hunters jealousy plays a part in it as well. They'll say he's young so this guy wont kill him or it will put doubt in his mind.
Now not everyone is this way, but I see it a lot. I hunt a large pasture we have 20 men and I guarantee 10 of them cannot give you an honest age estimate.
For example, last season had a 148" 10 point buck located. Thought it be a great buck for my daughter to hunt. Took his picture. I could see he was old. I guessed him at 7 maybe older. I showed his pictures around to the guys in camp. To a man every one of them believed him to be 4 year old. Two guys had already seen him and said they would not kill him because he was too young. Another guy went over to the area and saw him and said he was 4. Now I am no expert and I will admit when I am wrong or just flat don't know. But to me this buck had all the signs of post mature. Saggy skin, low hanging wiggle brisket, lower muscle mass, roman nose and scars, callouses on his knees. So a week later my daughter kills this buck. The dang teeth on one side are gone just a big hole where no teeth exist. The other side was down to the gums. The dang deer could have been 10 years old who knows.
Anyways, I saw Smarts rant this morning and it got me going
Now not everyone is this way, but I see it a lot. I hunt a large pasture we have 20 men and I guarantee 10 of them cannot give you an honest age estimate.
For example, last season had a 148" 10 point buck located. Thought it be a great buck for my daughter to hunt. Took his picture. I could see he was old. I guessed him at 7 maybe older. I showed his pictures around to the guys in camp. To a man every one of them believed him to be 4 year old. Two guys had already seen him and said they would not kill him because he was too young. Another guy went over to the area and saw him and said he was 4. Now I am no expert and I will admit when I am wrong or just flat don't know. But to me this buck had all the signs of post mature. Saggy skin, low hanging wiggle brisket, lower muscle mass, roman nose and scars, callouses on his knees. So a week later my daughter kills this buck. The dang teeth on one side are gone just a big hole where no teeth exist. The other side was down to the gums. The dang deer could have been 10 years old who knows.
Anyways, I saw Smarts rant this morning and it got me going
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