Age?

[Ag 96]

I’m struggling with the age on this one. I try to get deer on my place to 5+ and I think this one is a little young. However, I don’t have any pre-rut pictures of him.

[Aggiehunter08]

4-5. Even if he is 5 another year will pay huge dividends. Beautiful buck.

[Goodfellah]

What county are you hunting in Ag 96?

[Das71198]

I know we hunt fairly close to one another ( or used too) & I have one that looks just like him. I think he’s about 3.5 to 4.5.

[Southbound 85]

4

[PondPopper]

A rut worn 5 year old.

[Big pig]

I think you are correct in 4-5 and letting him walk.
i have passed a couple over the years that made me wonder if I screwed up.
But have walked up on a few when I was young that definitely suffered horn, age and body “ground shrinkage”.

[GarGuy]

I agree he's a post rut 5 from the pics. Another year won't hurt but he's getting ripe.

[lovemylegacy]

Thats a heck of a 3yr old.

[TCB]

Thats a heck of a 3yr old.

That's my thought too.

[Ag 96]

I’ve decided he’s going on the no-shoot for another year. Logic tells me he’s probably a 5 year old that’s been running pretty hard but, despite that logic, I don’t see any evidence in these pictures that say he’s older than 4. I think I would rather see what he’ll do in a year then shoot him now… although I did throw down on him Friday morning.

As far as 3-4 year olds go, this is one I really want to see develop that has also just showed up. I have him at a year younger than the first buck.

[Drycreek3189]

If you have a strong feeling that you will see him next year, I think you made the right decision. Those decisions really hinge on your individual situation.

[Ag 96]

If you have a strong feeling that you will see him next year, I think you made the right decision. Those decisions really hinge on your individual situation.

There's no telling... my place is only 450 acres. Every year in the second rut I get some travelers, sometimes they stay for the all-you-can-eat buffet but sometimes they disappear.

My west neighbors do a good job of managing but things get a lot more dicey to the east.

[sambo73]

he should be a stud next year...and looks like he's been spreading his genes too

[BayouCat]

My guess is he's a rutted down 4 year old. Nice deer regardless.

If I had that on my property and decided to give him the pass, I would feed year around to keep him (and the does) content until next year. Give him a reason to call your place home.