Need some deer aging lessons......

[markm]

My son's friends grandfather is majority owner of a 5000 acre high fence ranch in Brady and I have been invited to go down there hunting again. I say again because in the past it was to shoot does and spikes and do some quail hunting.

However this year he said he wants us to help them shoot management bucks.

What I am asking is if you all can post some pictures of deer at different ages and explain the characteristics of what you look for.

I am not very good at aging deer and would rather spend some studying this and learning it than make a mistake at this ranch and loose the privilage of going back in the future.

He said that we will be looking for mature 8 points or less and they have some that are pretty impressive deer that need to be culled. They have a very strong 10 point or more gene and that is what they are trying to manage to.

Any help on this would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

[crittergitter]

try this sight.

i would not worry about what the sight says about shooters or not shooters but it should give you a idea of what mature deer look like on the hoof.

http://www.whitetaildomains.com/ShootOrWait/ShootOrWait.aspx

[quicksilver437]

you can usually check by ther stomach if its saggy there older

[cosmiccowboy]

you can usually check by ther stomach if its saggy there older

Thats just when they are REALLY old....that old "sway back, pot belly" normally only applies to 6.5 and older.

The way the neck hits the chest/brisket is your best indicator from 1.5 to 4.5 and the head is the best indicator (along with the rest of the "package") from 4.5 on...

[Chance Love]

I am not very good at aging deer and would rather spend some studying this and learning it than make a mistake at this ranch and loose the privilage of going back in the future.

Most mistakes are easy to avoid. If there is ANY doubt in your mind, DON'T shoot. There are a thousand different things to look for as far as aging them goes, and I'm sure several people will post a lot of different stuff. I don't have time to get into it right now. Look at Chew's video he just posted of his 10 point killed near Brady. That buck was 6.5, and the 8 just to his left is 6.5 or older. Maybe that will help a little.

[Kdog]

I bought these books on aging deer. You may want to invest in something like this.

Observing & Evaluating Whitetails
* By Dave Richards and Al Brothers

https://www.qdma.com/store/details.asp?id=154&catid=5&catname=Books%20and%20Booklets

https://www.qdma.com/store/details.asp?id=117&catid=5&catname=Books%20and%20Booklets

[Flame-Tamer]

Just watched Dont Shoot Young Big Bucks by Vicente Pena... Just finished it. I have read alot of books but the video was incredible. Best I have ever seen!!!!

www.byvicentepena.com Try it.

hank

[markm]

Thanks for the info...............anyone else have anything for me?

[qzilla]

My son's friends grandfather is majority owner of a 5000 acre high fence ranch in Brady and I have been invited to go down there hunting again. I say again because in the past it was to shoot does and spikes and do some quail hunting.

However this year he said he wants us to help them shoot management bucks.

What I am asking is if you all can post some pictures of deer at different ages and explain the characteristics of what you look for.

I am not very good at aging deer and would rather spend some studying this and learning it than make a mistake at this ranch and loose the privilage of going back in the future.

He said that we will be looking for mature 8 points or less and they have some that are pretty impressive deer that need to be culled. They have a very strong 10 point or more gene and that is what they are trying to manage to.

Any help on this would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

I hate to be the "one" but......

You are going to have a VERY hard time learning to age deer off of pictures or videos. It can help and it can give you pointers but, aging on the hoof is very tough.

There is no way you are going to be an expert by the time your hunt gets here.

Every single person I know that has to age a lot of deer has learned slowly over a long time and hundreds of animals. Part of that learning has been plenty of mistakes. Some bad mistake, some small mistakes but, never the less, a mistake.

If there is anyway possible I would try to hire one of his guides or something while you are there if you truly do not want to upset him.

[Fightinaggies]

[QUOTE=Kdog;319048]I bought these books on aging deer. You may want to invest in something like this.

Observing & Evaluating Whitetails
* By Dave Richards and Al Brothers

Awesome book. Get it, it will help unbelievably, though the deer in that area ( I hunt right outside eden about 25 milesfrom brady) have a different look then some of the pictures in the book. It is still the best book out there.