opinion needed

[shortfatguy]

Have a nice 9 point in our hunting area that we decided to pass on this year. He is a nice deer this year but we decided he had alot of potential if given another year. What do you guys think? Any one take a guess at the age? https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150527216136457.428101.710171456&type=3

Sorry about the link but I cant get pictures to upload. If any one would post a couple of the better pictures that would be great!

[MuleShack]

Here ya go...

[Dave S]

What do you guys think? Any one take a guess at the age?

I'd guess he's 3 1/2 years old with a few years to really develop both his rack (points) and body mass. Although his tine length might only see minimal improvement without a change in diet. Only basing this on past experience with other bucks I've seen in my area.

[pureinsanity]

Im going for 2.5. Based on the slant of the eyes.

[Crappie Rage]

I am also in the 3.5 camp. Any pictures from Sept? A buck can really grow from 3 to 4. You didn't lose anything letting him go as long as he lives. Give us an update when you get pics next summer. Curious to see how big he gets.

[Crappie Rage]

Just noticed that deer is probably in wolf country. Good luck to him.

[shortfatguy]

It is in wolf country. The area produces big bucks and we are planning on putting out minerals and doing some food plots. I shot a monster in this area last year so the genetics are there. I was thinking he was 3.5. in that area the 1.5 year old seem to be fork, spike, or small 5-6 point with not much curve to the rack. The 2.5 yr olds are basket 6-8 point. This is the first year we have had trail cameras out. I have been passing on smaller bucks for a few years now but this is the biggest one we decided to let go.

We figured with the spread he already has he has real potential and if we dont get a shot at him hopefully he will pass on those genetics and keep a few of the smaller bucks from breeding. Population is down in our area this year but i attribute it more to last years winter than wolves. If we get a big snow fall this year I will be out packing trails with snowshoes and snowmobile.

[hockeybc69]

Quote:

Im going for 2.5. Based on the slant of the eyes.

Theres a new one..... huh???

[eyeguy 54]

2.5 for my guess. Looks like a teenager. If he makes it a few more years should be a dandy with that width.

[nonteepical]

at least 3.5, i'm tempted to say 4.5 because of his shoulders and gut that is starting to sag.

shortfatguy what did your bruiser from last year end up scoring?

[shortfatguy]

I havnt had it officially scored after it dried (still at the taxidermists) Gross green it was 193 3/8. It would have been over 200 but the brow tine one one side is broken completely off. The browtine that was left is about 6 3/4" so that is close too 13 inches taken off of the gross if the broken tine was close in size.

[Musky Buck]

Where you at in MN, either 2.5 but likely 3.5. My guess is 3.5 think about him as a 1.5, seems like quite a ways to go to get to where he is at now, but we've taken 2.5's just like him in farm country.

[nonteepical]

I havnt had it officially scored after it dried (still at the taxidermists) Gross green it was 193 3/8. It would have been over 200 but the brow tine one one side is broken completely off. The browtine that was left is about 6 3/4" so that is close too 13 inches taken off of the gross if the broken tine was close in size.

Bring him to the duluth deer classic feb 15-19, i'll measure him for you if you want.

[pureinsanity]

Theres a new one..... huh???

Yah what do I know? You can't judge a deers age by the shape of their eyes. And deer don't develop a squint the older they are. Maybe that deer is getting botox to keep its facial features looking really young.

I am sticking with 2.5 based on the eyes and the body characteristics.

[InTheNorthwoods]

Yah what do I know? You can't judge a deers age by the shape of their eyes. And deer don't develop a squint the older they are. Maybe that deer is getting botox to keep its facial features looking really young.

I am sticking with 2.5 based on the eyes and the body characteristics.

I have to admit I've never heard eye shape used to age a deer either.

[pureinsanity]

You probably never heard of people guesstimating the age of a deer by tarsal glands, skin tightness, upturns by the hamstrings, square rump, ear to antler ratio, how they walk, the way the knees bend and muscle tone.

But hey to each their own.

In this picture its just clear you cannot judge the size of a deer by the photos. There is nothing prominent in the photos to compare it to. So you have to look at features.

I looked at the eyes, still very round. I looked at the ears and his antlers do not exceed his ear length. The tarsal glands do not show much color from the angles we can see. There is no dip in his back. His brisket is not prominent. The face looks long and the skin tight, The belly still has somewhat of an upturn near the hams. The rump appears squared off.

This is a 2.5 year old deer in my opinion. If is belly was more flat with an upturn at the rear, and his brisket was prominent, muscle definition was showing and the back line was flat, I would agree this is a prime 3.5 year old buck.

[Gordie]

My guess is if he makes it to next season wolves,auto's,archers.and poachers, he will be a year older and wiser along with being a dandy buck. SFG you have some nice deer in your area thats for sure. good luck with the hunt next season for that buck or any other ones with squinty eyes or not

[pureinsanity]

My guess is if he makes it to next season wolves,auto's,archers.and poachers, he will be a year older and wiser along with being a dandy buck. SFG you have some nice deer in your area thats for sure. good luck with the hunt next season for that buck or any other ones with squinty eyes or not

I know I am getting older. I have to squint to see things far away!

[Gordie]

and you here this alot MOOORE

[matchset]

Not reading the other comments..., looks like northern mn, they takr a lil longer to matute up there. He is three. Give him time. The buck I killed in 2010, grew 24inches from 3 to 4 years old. Based on his sheds.

[pinkfloyd4ever]

thats a nice looking deer, good luck to you for him next year

[propster]

I agree that you can't tell from the pics alone. You'd hope he was 2.5, lots more potential that way. But if indeed he is 3.5, which if he is a northern deer is more likely the case, he still may become pretty decent even though he doesn't have great size for a 3.5.

[slimngrizzly]

Id say hes a 3 1/2. Based on all the sheds I've found from one year to the next, i'll bet that deer will never have long tines. A good spread and next year he ought to beef up a bit, he'll be a taker. A dandy buck but IMO that deer will never be a monster, he just dont have the pants for it!

I tip my hat for you passing on him! Thats a nice buck to watch walk by! Hope you get him next year and hes surprizingly big!

[shortfatguy]

If he doesnt get much bigger by next year Ill probably pass on him again. If I am seeing him regularly I will try and get a kid out to sit with me and see if they can get him. I would get more out of being with a youngster when they shot a deer like that than I would shooting it myself.

[Bear55]

I will also go 3.5 year old, very nice buck and he will be a dandy next year. The only bad news is he will be a year older and that much harder to hunt next year, right around 4 or 5 they seem to become invisible.