Our friends Zach and Ellie from southern Illinois sent this picture of a buck they got from about 500 yards away. Ellie said, “We put our iPhone up to the spotting scope to capture this picture. How old do you think he is?”
Well, what do you think: Is this buck 3.5 years old, 4.5, older? Remember, that rack will still grow for another month.
* didn’t mean an “even” year. Meant a whole age (no fraction).
Actually, Dan brings up a good point (BTW, good one Dan). Officially we are all wrong. That buck would be considered an even year of age since it just celebrated its birthday (presumably) a month ago. I now instead say the buck is either 3, or 4 years old. LOL!
3.675 yrs old. But I agree w/jjass …. Old enough for my arrow!
Great looking deer. Being in Illinois I assume there is good food available to him so I would guess 3 1/2. He is either a great looking young buck or a nice older one. I am an optimist…..3 1/2 for me!
With that picture you can only really go by his face and rack. I’m guessing 3 1/2 because he still has a young looking face and the rack could match that of a 3 1/2 year old deer. If he was any older, I think you would see it in his face and head.
Just to be different… 5 1/2.
But who can tell from that angle? BTW, awesome pic for an IPhone + spotting scope combo! I’ve tried but can never seem to get it to work.
Very tough to call. For one, bucks always look thinner in the summer. Especially coming off this last winter. And, at that camera angle, it’s doubly hard to see anything about the buck’s chest, back, etc. To me the back side suggests 3.5 years, but again it can be deceiving in the summer. The back legs look long and lean, generally implying youth, but it’s just too hard to tell. If you look at the buck’s belly, it sags some (which is an indicator of physical maturity). The mass coming out of his head suggest he may be older than that. I am willing to bet he’s at least 3.5, and most likely a bit older. I agree with David on this one; we need a side profile to know more. I very nice buck nonetheless. Fun to try and determine age.
Got to be 3.5 to 4.5 but hard to say for sure. Very nice buck!
You can’t age a buck from that view. But it looks like a 4 year old butt to me… You really need a decent side profile to even make a good guess.
Racks can be a poor measure of age. Especially velvet covered racks on summer bodies.
Old enough……LOL.
4.5. Good deer.
3.5 years old is my guess.
He has that young face from that view. Going to be a good one.
I agree 3.5