Deer Age - Hill Country

[engnman]

2.5 and 4.5

I'd kill the 4.5

This!

[cstrey18]

3 and 5

[stickfigure]

3.5

4.5

X2

[dgilbert]

Anywhere between 2.5- 5.5 looks like.

[kruppa24]

3.5

4.5

This

[outlook8]

Anywhere between 2.5- 5.5 looks like.

Thanks for clearing that up!

[Arrowthreat]

Man that is a tough one. I'd say the 3.5 to 4.5 range. Just a suggestion, but I would increase the size of your feeder pin in the first 3 pictures. I've found that it helps a lot.

[outlook8]

Man that is a tough one. I'd say the 3.5 to 4.5 range. Just a suggestion, but I would increase the size of your feeder pin in the first 3 pictures. I've found that it helps a lot.

It's on the 'to do' list, but those panels are just so dang expensive!

[outlook8]

I've got a couple more pics of the first buck, definitely top dawg, but still unsure of age...

[PassnItOn]

Having the same problem in Gillespie county. Asking members to pass up deer that may be in the right age range to take. I don't know the answer, someone help us!

[mastercraftka]

I think he look farely mature at least 4.5 but I think he is older. I am just surprised he jumps in that small pen, mine wont do that.

[88 Bound]

Velvet pics are near impossible to judge free-range hill country whitetails sometimes.

IF that is indeed the same buck, he looked 2.5 in the first pic. In the last pic he looks 4.5, but he may be a fat 3.5. If he is top dog around younger bucks then he is most likely 4.5.

If they look that different from velvet to rut, I still say let him go and shoot the 2nd buck if and when you catch up to him. He's a respectable deer for the HC but could definitely get more impressive.

Also, X2 on bigger pens. What tends to happen is exactly what you're seeing in the picture. 1 mature buck jumps in and no other deer do until he leaves. You don't have to have those fancy cattle pens. 3' cattle panels work just fine. Just drive T posts wherever you can between the rocks

[apc10]

Both are most likely going to be much older than most people are guessing. We've shot many that were guessed under 4.5 but the teeth end up aging 6+. Hill country deer can be pretty deceiving at times.

[AntlerCollector]

That first buck is older than 2 1/2. I think he's at least 4 1/2 especially in the last pics you posted.

[Brian H]

Tip buck is probably 5.5., might be 4.5, but no younger