Age this buck.
- Thread starter Gmm243
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HonestJohn
Well-Known Member
Yes, he’s a yearling.
sir-lamp-alot
Well-Known Member
Coronets arnt sloping but the tips dont look sharp and more rounded and looks to be carrying a bit of weight in his neck I wouldnt be suprised if this was a very poor 1or 2 year old buck
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wildfowler.250
Well-Known Member
My guess is young, 2 ish. But that’s a guess
Aging a buck in isolation, particularly without knowing the size and quality of other heads from the same area, the degree of competition, the local nutrition and foliage, etc. is nearly always a guessing game. Young, middle aged, or old is about as close as you can realistically get.
Photos can also be deceptive, particularly I find with mobile phones when it comes to perspective - my iPhone 13, for example, has lenses with 26mm and 77mm equivalents. This is a case where an additional frontal photo would really help.
I guess the question is asked with the thought that this buck might be older and going back? From what I see, the remaining length of the pedicles, the size and shape of the coronets, the lack of volume and the lack (and lack of extent) of pearling would suggest not.
I’d guess he’s a youngster and, if pushed for an age, perhaps a 2-year-old rather than a yearling, given that the back points are just starting to show? Like much with antlers, that’s not a hard and fast rule, but tends to be a useful benchmark for bucks on our ground.
For a comparison, here’s an old 4-point buck that I shot during the rut back in 2022:
Again keep in mind that the photos are deceptive, particularly in that it’s a short skull cut. The main beams are only just over 18cm, so no great length. However the pedicles are very short, noticeably so than other, better, heads shot off the same ground. Thick, sloping, coronets, as well as heavy pearling that extends almost the whole way up the main beams. A couple of years earlier and he would probably have been a sizeable 6-pointer.
When he ran in to the call I shot him thinking he was unremarkable, and it was only afterwards that I realised he was considerably older than I’d originally thought.
Thanks for posting the photo.
Photos can also be deceptive, particularly I find with mobile phones when it comes to perspective - my iPhone 13, for example, has lenses with 26mm and 77mm equivalents. This is a case where an additional frontal photo would really help.
I guess the question is asked with the thought that this buck might be older and going back? From what I see, the remaining length of the pedicles, the size and shape of the coronets, the lack of volume and the lack (and lack of extent) of pearling would suggest not.
I’d guess he’s a youngster and, if pushed for an age, perhaps a 2-year-old rather than a yearling, given that the back points are just starting to show? Like much with antlers, that’s not a hard and fast rule, but tends to be a useful benchmark for bucks on our ground.
For a comparison, here’s an old 4-point buck that I shot during the rut back in 2022:
Again keep in mind that the photos are deceptive, particularly in that it’s a short skull cut. The main beams are only just over 18cm, so no great length. However the pedicles are very short, noticeably so than other, better, heads shot off the same ground. Thick, sloping, coronets, as well as heavy pearling that extends almost the whole way up the main beams. A couple of years earlier and he would probably have been a sizeable 6-pointer.
When he ran in to the call I shot him thinking he was unremarkable, and it was only afterwards that I realised he was considerably older than I’d originally thought.
Thanks for posting the photo.
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HonestJohn
Well-Known Member
He could be turned 2 indeed, but not a day more. Could also be a very strong yearling, I’ve got some on my ground that will set a 6pt in their yearling year, not common, but happens
Thanks for posting that.
It wouldn't change my opinion as to the buck's age, but probably enforce it - not much volume there, and thin coronets.
All we need now is for you to tell us that you did get the teeth aged and it's actually 10 years old!
I think it’s safer to say either it’s a yearling, which I don’t think this is, or it’s not!!
out of interest what was the larder weight?
HonestJohn
Well-Known Member
Then whoever aged the teeth need to go to specsaversThanks for posting that.
It wouldn't change my opinion as to the buck's age, but probably enforce it - not much volume there, and thin coronets.
All we need now is for you to tell us that you did get the teeth aged and it's actually 10 years old!
Hi, it wasn't weighed. Just went into the chiller.
I wouldn't do such a thing.!! I was just interested to see what age folk thought it was. No trick questions involved!!Thanks for posting that.
It wouldn't change my opinion as to the buck's age, but probably enforce it - not much volume there, and thin coronets.
All we need now is for you to tell us that you did get the teeth aged and it's actually 10 years old!
It is only the 3rd roe buck I have shot and I have no experience in aging them. I was wondering if the rounded antlers and points meant it could have been an older animal.
Delighted with all the responses and everyone saying very much the same thing. If I am lucky enough to shoot one next year, I will take better photos.
It would have been hilarious though!
Deer don't read the books or follow the rules - the more you think you've got them sussed, the more they'll prove you wrong!
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