Any guess on this deer's age and score?

[SmalljawNH]

I'm curious to hear what guesses on age and score you all have. My daytime photos are too foggy to be useful.

I have little experience with estimating a deer's age and guess he's 6 1/2 years old. Eager to hear what you think.

 

[june-bug]

That's a great looking buck! Love the wide rack and have hunted deer with similar characteristics to this one down in Frio county TX. I'm guessing 4.5 plus but its so hard to tell from photos. Do you have history with this buck?

 

[SmalljawNH]

That's a great looking buck! Love the wide rack and have hunted deer with similar characteristics to this one down in Frio county TX. I'm guessing 4.5 plus but its so hard to tell from photos. Do you have history with this buck?

No, this is my first year seeing him. If I can figure out where he is during daylight, it might be a short history

 

[RMcDonald7]

i'm guessing - and I'm not an expert at this lol

mid 160's?

 

[Taudisio]

Stud buck! I’d guess right near 155” and I don’t think he is 6 yet. 4-5 Y.O

Get him on the ground so I can check my work!

 

[elkguide]

Shoot him!

Hard to compare the size and age of a Texas buck compared to the northern bucks that I see.

 

[Q child]

Nice deer. Is he at a feeder or something? I'm confused by these photos.

 

[Foster Hunter]

I'd put him at 4.5. Nice one though

 

[Rich M]

I agree with 4.5. He doesn't have a lot of sway or true girth.

Gonna put his spread at 20-22 inches. His tines are relatively short and the mass isn't crazy. 150 inches?

I'd shoot him in an eye-blink but if you are somewhere that you can let him "blossom" another year or two, he might hit 200 inches. Nice buck - good genetics around there.

 

[SmalljawNH]

Nice deer. Is he at a feeder or something? I'm confused by these photos.

He is. I have a couple feeders in an exclusion pen to keep the hogs and cattle out.

 

[SmalljawNH]

Thanks, everyone! The age estimates help a lot.

I agree with 4.5. He doesn't have a lot of sway or true girth.

Gonna put his spread at 20-22 inches. His tines are relatively short and the mass isn't crazy. 150 inches?

I'd shoot him in an eye-blink but if you are somewhere that you can let him "blossom" another year or two, he might hit 200 inches. Nice buck - good genetics around there.

That's great to know, thanks. The guys on my lease aren't picky and he meets the ranch criteria.

If I get a crack at him, I'll take it. However, a part of me wants to see him elude everyone (even me) for a couple years to see his potential.

 

[june-bug]

I know what you mean lol. I have a couple of mature bucks on my place right now that I would be absolutely thrilled to take this season. Already looking forward though to see what they will look like next year if I don't make it happen this season.

 

[Honyock]

I'm going to guess he's 4.5 years old, no sag in the belly. Unless he has more mass than it looks like, maybe 145 inches.

 

[blackpowder72]

My guess is 4.5

 

[BryanLo]

My first thought was 3.5 year old with great genetics due to smaller body size. Me being from MN makes this a smaller bodied deer with a HUGE rack. But I see TX so that changes things.

 

[Wildone]

I'd let him walk. He has good potential , just needs a little more time.

 

[Stumpknocker-81]

4.5, and high 150's

 

[Mojave]

5 ish 135-155

His coronets are not massive. Has solid mass near the ears.

Body is not overly muscular or overly skinny.