Guess my buck’s age

[Ken Swenson]

Had a dumb mental lapse when I dropped my buck off at the taxidermist. Let him toss the skull without thinking to send a tooth in.

What are your guesses as to this buck’s age? Utah deer, shot September 28 on the general muzzleloader.

 

[GSPHUNTER]

4

 

[go_deep]

3

 

[Danny Hoey]

Looks like a young healthy deer. Great looking buck! 4

 

[elkguide]

3

 

[MNBowBender]

4

 

[mighteywhitehunter]

4

 

[bakyrd831]

4

 

[Pistolpete28]

4 is my guess as well

 

[PNWGATOR]

4.5

 

[Dioni A]

Clean the skull plate and post a picture of the growth lines in the forehead. It's not super definitive but they're usually a good difference between 3 and 4 years old.

Here's two to show you the difference. Ones lab aged at 4.5 the other is lab aged at 9.5. I bet your buck is 3 or 4.

 

[Rich M]

3.5 yo buck

His 3rd or 4th set of horns.

Nice deer!

 

[Ken Swenson]

Clean the skull plate and post a picture of the growth lines in the forehead. It's not super definitive but they're usually a good difference between 3 and 4 years old.
View attachment 616465
Here's two to show you the difference. Ones lab aged at 4.5 the other is lab aged at 9.5. I bet your buck is 3 or 4.

View attachment 616469View attachment 616470

Cool idea! I’ve never heard of aging them this way. I’ll give the skull plate a boil and post some pics

 

[Tilzbow]

4.5

 

[Ken Swenson]

Clean the skull plate and post a picture of the growth lines in the forehead. It's not super definitive but they're usually a good difference between 3 and 4 years old.
View attachment 616465
Here's two to show you the difference. Ones lab aged at 4.5 the other is lab aged at 9.5. I bet your buck is 3 or 4.

View attachment 616469View attachment 616470

Here’s the growth lines. Most of the forehead is missing, but this is on the crown of his skull

 

[HuntandFly]

4.5 year old or a 3.5 year old with super good genetics

 

[SwiftShot]

4

 

[Dioni A]

Here’s the growth lines. Most of the forehead is missing, but this is on the crown of his skull

Good chances he's 4 or 5. There's a lot of variation from deer to deer but that's a reasonable guess.

 

[Huntinaz]

I also say 3-5. Nice buck!

 

[EnDoB]

3.5yo