Age and score forum?

[RobinBradbery]

I know we already have plenty of forums but.... How about an age and score forum? I know it would be easier for me to see all of the deer and the guess in one place. It sure would be a help to see the possible ages and scores of a bunch of deer together to learn what to look for.

[woody wood]

I agree. I need help aging and scoring the deer too and I am trying to learn from checking those post. If they were seperated it would help.

[Tommy_V]

Love the idea!!!
Wish I woulda thought of it

[Mike Murphey]

Hope this helps....
BUCK FAWN
Look for presence of developing antlers.
Head appears flatter and less rounded.


DOE FAWN
Head appears rounder


Separating fawn does from adult does.

FAWN DOE
Have short square bodies (look like a briefcase from a distance).
Have short necks and less muscle development
Rarely have swaying backs or sagging bellies.
Short Nose and forehead
Ears appear larger than the head
Head is smaller and about the size of a 8 oz Coke bottle.

ADULT DOES
Have larger, rectangular-shaped bodies look like a suitcase from a distance.
Have long necks
Often having swaying backs or sagging bellies.
Longer nose
Head is larger and about the size of 16 oz Coke bottle.


Separating Whitetail Bucks by age class

1.5 year old Bucks
Age 1.5 year old bucks = Has 11% percent of potential antler mass
Resemble does with antlers
Do not have swollen necks and muscular characteristics
Often enter feeding areas first and tend to travel with group of does early in the season
Will be found traveling alone later in the season.



2.5 year old Bucks
Age 2.5 year old bucks = Has 44% of potential antler mass
Relatively thin waist and shoulders.
Limited neck swelling during the rut.


3.5 year old Bucks
Age 3.5 year old bucks = Has 71% of potential antler mass.
Thickly muscled neck during the rut although there is still a distinct junction between the neck and shoulders.
Chest appears deeper than the hindquarters giving appearance of a well conditions racehorse.


4.5 year old Bucks
Age 4.5 year old bucks - Has 80% of potential antler mass
Fully muscled neck blends into the shoulders and waistline is as deep as the chest.
Face seems to be shorter because it has filled out or has that shovel face look.


5.5 to 6.5 year old Bucks
5.5 to 6.5 year old bucks - Has 100% of potential antler mass
(Mature Whitetail)
Neck blends completely into shoulder and front of body appears to be one large mass.
Most exhibit prominent potbelly
Face seems to be shorter because it has filled out or has that shovel face look.
(No picture)

7.5 year old Bucks
7.5 year old and Older bucksHas 100% of potential antler mass
(Prime & past Mature age)
Loss of muscularity in neck and shoulders.
Have a swayed back and a prominent potbelly along with loose skin on the head and neck.

[tuthdoc]

Mike has some good guidelines, but like everything else in hunting, they are just general guidelines and not all deer will fall into such a neat order. A young deer on protein can really take on a mature body size and appearance, but have a baby face. An over mature deer can look like a 2 `1/2 yo with an old face. As I've looked at deer over the years, and I've had the good fortune to have been on some of the best ranches in the state over the years, the no. 1 thing I lood for in age is the face. Next is the overall package. Then the mannerisms of the deer. Then I'll go by the above guidelines.