Gladiator
PMA Member
I'm going to go out on a limb....
I think this is an older deer. One reason is the giant square patch on his forehead in the first picture. Winke talks about that being a sign (more than not) of an older deer from his research. The second sign is if you look at the last sparring picture, look how he has a "double neck". There is a solid line where the neck muscle stops and the fat kind of starts...I think you can see he is considerably older than the buck he's fighting with. Lastly, his tine thin out at the end. I found a dead buck last year that was at least 5.5 that was the same way. Great frame, but just didn't amount to a 180 like everyone thinks they will if you let them go....
Anyway, they're just my thoughts, but he probably wouldn't get the pass from me and I feel that this deer is older than you think...older than 3.5 IMO.... Too many times we age a deer based on the size of his rack... Let's look at his teeth and make a good guess....
I think this is an older deer. One reason is the giant square patch on his forehead in the first picture. Winke talks about that being a sign (more than not) of an older deer from his research. The second sign is if you look at the last sparring picture, look how he has a "double neck". There is a solid line where the neck muscle stops and the fat kind of starts...I think you can see he is considerably older than the buck he's fighting with. Lastly, his tine thin out at the end. I found a dead buck last year that was at least 5.5 that was the same way. Great frame, but just didn't amount to a 180 like everyone thinks they will if you let them go....
Anyway, they're just my thoughts, but he probably wouldn't get the pass from me and I feel that this deer is older than you think...older than 3.5 IMO.... Too many times we age a deer based on the size of his rack... Let's look at his teeth and make a good guess....
SWBUCKHNTR
Member
I am also saying an older deer. Look at his "gut" also like what was said earlier his neck is huge straight into his shoulders. Little sway in the back. shooter in my book I am aging him at 5.5 maybe 6.5. At that age antlers dont matter they are a trophy no matter what.
bigbuckhunter88
PMA Member
Rack says nice 3.5, body says small racked 5.5. I'm gonna go with a 5.5 that went through a tough winter with a lack of nutrition.
bloodhoundhandler
New Member
I would smoke him and not let the age thing bother me a bit he does look to be older in my opinion though
hopper24
New Member
i mesured him on buckscore.. the free software you get with a bushnell camera and he grossed 140" with 8" of deductions which is pretty good. ive done my deer i shot last year with the software and it was about 10" off what he scored.. so who knows.. i think he will be a good addition to my collection!
