Aging whitetail bucks while they’re still alive is really an art. The ability to look at a deer and within mere moments being able to derive its age is something many hunters aspire to be able to do. Hadley Creek Outfitters has been practicing aging on the hoof for over a decade. We’ll share with you how you too can judge a buck on the hoof. So, that when you’re in the woods you can use these tips to better understand your deer herd.
One-and-a-half year old bucks are lanky creatures with legs far too long for their build. Think of this buck as a teenager. Their torsos are very rectangular with the back and paunch looking very parallel to one another. Their look is sleek with an athletic build. The ears on yearlings appear large and the head will have a slender appearance. At this age, their antlers will not typically exceed the width of their ears.
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3 bucks: the left buck appears to be about 3.5 years old because of the size of his head and deeper chest; the middle buck may be about 4.5 years old due to larger neck, the drop in the chest and stomach, and he appears slightly muscular in the hind legs; and the buck on the right looks about 2.5 years old with his narrow neck and slender head.
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Two and a half year old bucks typically retain the too-tall-for-their-body legs, but not always. The back will be straight, but you’ll notice they start to develop muscle in their shoulders and their antlers may grow wider than their ear width. They may also display swelling in the neck during the rut. Their stomachs will bulk up a bit, but will not be level with their chest. Take notice of the head. It still has a slender shape without much mass in the jaws and the back of the head… he is too young. Be careful, as healthy year-and-half bucks and two year olds look very similar.
Judging the three and a half year old and older is the challenge, but not an impossibility. The legs will appear more proportionate to their body size. The overall shape of the deer’s torso will appear more square. Their shoulders become more muscular and their necks swell during the rut. They retain the straight back, tight facial skin, and athletic appearance of younger deer. The chest of the three and a half year old becomes much deeper but the waist will still be tight. At this age, the face will appear slightly swollen. The facial profile will reveal that immature bucks have a long and slender head while a mature buck appears to have a shorter, bulkier snout. This is the toughest buck to not shoot.
The head and neck of four and a half year olds will have a thicker appearance while the back forms a hump toward the rump (swayback). There will be muscle definition in the neck, shoulders and hindquarters. The chest will still be deeper than the hindquarters. The leg length will appear proportionate to the body of the buck and the forehead and eyes may appear broader than on immature bucks. The skin under the jaw may look loose in the mature buck. During the rut, the buck will have a definitive swollen neck that blends into the brisket.
Four and a half to six and a half are the prime years for buck hunting. They will have loose skin under the jaw and appear less athletic than the younger deer. The ears will not appear as big as on yearlings and the eyes will look as if they sit further apart. He’ll have a broad chest and brisket. The legs will appear short and the belly may sag.
Remember when you’re out hunting your next buck; do not rely on antlers to determine age. Instead, rely on jaw skin, leg length, and the shoulder and rump humps in the back. Keep in mind that not all deer will exhibit these characteristics and deer in different areas may develop differently. It will take some practice, but overtime you will learn to properly judge a buck on the hoof. Get out there and get hunting!
Hadley Creek Outfitters offers guided hunts for both turkey and whitetail. Their trophy quality is impressive, and their clients frequently harvest 150 or more trophy caliber bucks each season. Besides having trophy caliber whitetails, Hadley Creek Outfitters is well known for their excellent catered food services and luxury lodging with easy access to hunting grounds.
For more information on Hadley Creek Outfitters or to book a stay, please visit www.hadleycreek.com or call (217) 335-3804.
To view the trophy deer harvested at Hadley Creek Outfitter, please visit www.hadleycreek.com/gallery.
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