Aging a Deer on the Hoof

[JCroft11]

I've been deer hunting for a while, but I've always hunted other people's land and just shot their cull bucks or does. This past year I purchased land in Diboll, TX, and I want to manage it so that I will be able to hunt bigger, older deer. Unfortunately, I have no idea how to accurately age a deer on the hoof. What should I look for?

[TexMax]

http://www.deeranddeerhunting.com/biology/bucksonthehoof

One of the best things you can do is frequent the management section of this forum. Its good practice. Take what you read, apply to pics, and compare to what other have said.

[JimS]

http://www.wildlifeenterprises.com/

This web site has some good information. I also purchased a poster for aging deer in every stand on my place.

[canny]

http://www.qdma.com/what-we-do/articles/deer-biologymanagement/aging-bucks-on-the-hoof/

This will get you started, but if you are not seeing multiple individuals at the same time it can be difficult to fiure out. Its real easy for to distinguish between 2.5 and 3.5 yr olds when you have one of each out in front for comparison.

[canny]

Also, if you are just starting out, try to age them off of video. Still pictures can very easily make a deer seem younger or older than they are due to the angle at which the deer is standing when the picture is taken.

[JCroft11]

Thank. I'll check out all those websites. I figure this skill, like most things, will only come with practice and repetition.

[nativetexan]

Dr. Kroll also has a book entitiled "Aging and Judging Trophy Whitetails" that is really good. As a matter of fact, all of his books are good.

[mhbaseball]

all above are excellent resources....then like everything else, practice practice practice. good luck

[dozer]

Dr. Kroll also has a book entitiled "Aging and Judging Trophy Whitetails" that is really good. As a matter of fact, all of his books are good.

I have this book also, very informative. Video all the deer you can and ask for opinions...you will figure it out with tike

[kyle1974]

butt time in the blind, and watch every deer that's brough in.

take a video camera with you and video all you can, and review when you get home.

It takes a while to notice some traits that are subtle, and some that are not so subtle.

Just like 65 year old people, not all 6.5 year old deer look the same.

[Porterhouse]

......... practice practice practice. good luck

butt time in the blind, and watch every deer that's brough in.

take a video camera with you and video all you can, and review when you get home.

It takes a while to notice some traits that are subtle, and some that are not so subtle.

Just like 65 year old people, not all 6.5 year old deer look the same.

All I will add to the great advice above is to be careful who you select as a teacher, as there are quite a few more people that "think" they know how to age than there are those that actually do. The same can be said for scoring. In any event, always remember that aging a deer on the hoof is an educated guess. If you pm me your email address where you can receive a powerpoint attachment I can send you a presentation that was put together by some folks that seem to know what they are talking about. I would also recommend the videos done by Vicente Pena "Mexico Whitetails" and "Don't shoot young big bucks" Vol. 1 & 2. These are mexico deer/s. texas deer and your area will be different but the principles are the same. No matter what, have fun with it.

[txdukklr]

all good advice and let me add that as you are on the lease longer you'll get to know your deer.

I can age my deer in victoria way better then anywhere else. Not only do I know a lot of the deer but I can compare unknown deer to the ones I don't know.

I'll be honest I look at some very mature deer in the hill country that I wouldn't guess the age correctly, they just don't get that super heavy look that helps me figure out how old they are.

[holdem]

Just like 65 year old people, not all 6.5 year old deer look the same.

You're welcome to practice on me. I'm 6.8