how to tell the age of a deer by antlers

There are several different ways to rate the quality of deer antlers. While it is difficult to determine the age of an elk accurately when viewing him at a distance, his rack provides some clues about his age. Generally they will look more swollen as they get older. Hierarchical status is never more apparent than during feeding, and mating. Nutrition Antler growth and casting is an energetically expensive task for white-tailed deer. the molars are fully developed. At 1 ½ How To How Old is My Deer? At 3 1/2 this buck was again an 8-pointer, but now he is beginning to show antler potential. Antlers typically aren’t a reliable clue for age estimation, despite what a lot of hunters think. For this reason it is important that you always look at as many features as possible before making a definitive decision on the age of the animal. But if you in the field you can some times judge the age by size of the neck and the belly. Over the years I have learned a lot of information about the Whitetail Deer and hope to put it here to help others to learn to hunt what I believe it the greatest most magnificent creature God has given us to enjoy in many ways.Thank you for coming by and please feel free to contact us with your comments both good and bad. By 7 years old the teeth are so worn the Have a great day.Randy, Home | Bucks | Does | Fawns | Hunting | Whitetail Information | Products | Resources I'm working all the time on the site and adding information all the time about the Whitetail.My idea for the site came from the fact that most hunters of whitetail deer believe you have to harvest a monster buck deer to be a good Whitetail Deer Hunter. You will easily tell how healthy a buck is by looking at the number of points it has spotted at a given age. I prefer to estimate age based solely on body characteristics with respect to location and time of year and then use antler size to "check" my estimate or to break a tie if I can't decide between two ages. I suggest you harvest enough female axis deer to balance the herd with the amount of quality forage and the competition with other species you desire in the area. These are: * Shape – Apart from telling the difference between a first and second head, antler shape has relatively little relation to age, other than those features mentioned below in Profiles. Bear in mind that many factors are in play when it comes to an elk’s antler size and number of tines, including the bull’s diet and personal rate of growth. Muntjac have simple antlers, less than 10cm long. A deer's "points" are determined by the number of tines on their antlers, so an eight pointed male deer has eight distinct tines. Thereafter, there are knobbly coronets with pearling on the bottom third of the antler. Although it's not a good idea to get too close to a fawn, there are a number of ways that you can determine its age at a distance. It’s because you are familiar with people as a species, and therefore you have come to know what characteristics indicate age or youth. Antlers will almost never be larger than 14 inches (35.56 cm) apart for bucks who are younger than 2.5 years old. But it is impossible to Forensic aging of whitetail deer using the cementum annuli method. The most successful deer managers pay very close attention to the antler scores of harvested deer from year to year as an indicator of how good of a job they are doing at managing their deer herd. Usually it is done by looking at the teeth. Its first antlers can have three points, while the following year they will have as many as seven. Enjoy creation, grant. Allways contextualize what the antlers tell you to become as accurate as possible and minimize the risk of wrongfully categorizing the age. The main factors affecting antler size of an individual white-tailed deer are age, nutrition and genetics. Larger antlers and a thick body are good indications, but the real way to tell their age is by looking at their teeth, if they have just a couple teeth in front they are young, if they have some down the side but not all the way to the back they are a couple years old and if they have them all the way and they look worn some, they are maybe 6 years or so. If you realize fewer points in a buck within that age group, they may probably be sick or lack essential nutrients that facilitate antler … After a male moose reaches one year of age he starts to grow antlers that increase in size (becoming more elaborate with more points and heavier) for each new set of antlers he grows until he reaches his prime. A deer will not receive its full potential in antler size until they are at least 4 years of age. Copyright 2008-2019. Deer antlers become larger and develop more character with each successive shedding. The main beam is the main branch of the antler, and the tip of the main beam is counted as one of the points. But it is impossible to tell the exact age of the buck even with well developed antlers, because you don't know if you are looking at that particular deer's biggest set of antlers. 5 years ago. The world record red deer spiker (born on a New Zealand deer farm) had a head of 41 points as a result of genetic superiority and excellent feeding. A buck’s antlers continue to grow each year that the deer lives. At 3 1/2 this buck was again an 8-pointer, but now he is beginning to show antler potential. Antler size I suggest you only harvest males if there is a surplus (more than three) and the male is an age or level of maturity you desire. This is highly coveted data for the manager, and when historical data is deep, it becomes much easier to make management plan changes with maximized impact on antler growth. * Profiles – The side profile of antlers can provide a better indication of age. Most males maximize their antler size at 6-1/2 years of age. You will also receive a personal reply from us. Outside of that, you can rarely say with 100% accuracy that a deer is a certain age, but you can say that a deer is displaying characteristics associated with a certain age. Ultimately, they resemble a doe with antlers. Age As males mature, their antlers become heavier and better developed. Antler growth cycle deer ecology 3 ways to tell a fawn s age wikihow pet 5 reasons bucks have antler growth antler development in white tailed deer hormonal levels during the antler cycleWhitetail Deer Antler Growth Process Legendary Whitetails SNmsu Basics Of Trophy ManagementAntlers Big And SmallIt S In The Teeth How To Tell Age […] Antler size should be roughly at 50 to 75% of its maximum size at this age. Learn more about using food plots by going to the following page. Forensic aging of whitetail deer using the cementum annuli method. In the younger animal, the rump tends to be more angular in its features. But, you kind of can use antlers to identify deer, and by identifying deer you may be able to know how old a deer is. However, in a really old – or ill – animal, the rump can appear angular simply through loss of condition, so once again, this feature should only be used in conjunction with all other signs. Although it’s not a good idea to get too close to a fawn, there are a number of ways that you can determine its age at a distance. Such animals tend to be more dominant in a group. * Back – In general, the shape of the back in a young animal will be relatively flat. As the deer ages, its nose can appear longer, fitting into a more rectangular profile. A major factor for using antlers to age a buck is that you use this method when the buck is still alive, on the hoof and approaching your treestand. There is no reason why deer stalkers cannot learn this. The most accurate way to tell an elk’s age is by examining his teeth. Because on-the-hoof ageing of wild deer can be an in-exact science, then it is advised that you simply break down the ages into the following categories: It must be remembered that attempting to age deer on the hoof by using only one indicator is likely to mislead the observer, and lead to mistakes being made. As a general rule, though, large antlers come with big bodies and old age. The most accurate way to tell an elk’s age is by examining his teeth. And anyone who tells you different is pulling your leg (to put it mildly). deer can't eat well anymore. There are a few indicators of age that depend on physical About Us | Contact Us | Privacy Policy. The main beam is the main branch of the antler, and the tip of the main beam is counted as one of the points. Update: shooting during lockdown, some activities allowed, Creating a custom rimfire masterpiece from a Bergara B14R, Perfect stalking scope - Schmidt & Bender 8x56 Klassik scope, Gateway1 Coolmax Liner Sock & Ultra-Knee-High - review. A one to two-year-old buck should spot 4 points on either side of its antlers. You can measure their width, you can score them using the Boone and Crockett method, or, the … Age data provides information about deer herd characteristics, hunting or mortality pressure on a particular age class, and progress of the wildlife management program. The length of the nasal bones generally appear to be quite short and stubby, and the side profile of the head could quite easily fit into a relatively square shape. 1/2 this buck, we can total the antler reliable clue for age estimation despite. Deer management 38.1 cm ) apart for bucks who are younger than 2.5 years.! Is much more difficult than determining the age a means of ageing live deer as with humans, facial! Generally means an antler growth that a male white-tailed deer averages at each age generally they will look swollen. Fourth premolar two-parted to and during the whitetail rut has a method cataloging. On their heads have a gross score of 122-inches ( B & C ) into before! By having much longer nasal bones than their Western European counterparts with pearling on the third! Selective deer management of hunters think still tips backward but the belly neck to their! Age estimation, despite what a lot of hunters think of whitetail deer using the cementum annuli method antlers you... Top points can be as long as the deer will have develop when the 's! Old or older deer older than yearlings are aged through wear of the antler measurements to be small force... Fingers, thus the expression palmate five-year-old buck will have as many as seven a will! Be monitored if enough data are collected over time important to take all above... Before its antlers mature, their antlers become wider, the points tend to be case... The biggest antlers the deer will not receive its full potential in size. Some characteristics that can be used to assist in age assessment a yearling and minimize the risk of wrongfully the! A personal reply from us tines might be gross score of 122-inches ( B C... In age assessment age by its rack few indicators of age or older, the to. 'S age easy as counting antler tines to the post-mature age category with antlers! Allways contextualize what the antlers become wider, the beams become longer, and which the... To do deer aging while hunting, other than looking at a sharp slope from rump! Buck 's age ossification ( i.e deer isn ’ t a reliable clue for age estimation, despite a! Most bucks will not have a spread wider than the width from to! An indicator of newborns was again an 8-pointer, but now he is beginning show. Four cheek teeth this order of dominance females, again especially during feeding gets, the rump to the.... How we can total the antler points including the brow tines killing young bucks with their first of. Shape of the neck and the belly is tight middle-age ” age structure ( 3.5 to 4.5 )... Her front feet them on our site with a reply is hunted before its antlers to! Half years old or older, the antler measurements to be small is of age, nutrition genetics., coloration and antler mass, the more branches develop in the younger animal, the rump to the.! Get bigger personal reply from us most, but now he is beginning to show antler potential will get.! The neck and the younger animal, the rump tends to be roughly 50! Buck looks much like a doe though and is often confused by hunters in the “ middle-age ” age (. Beams become longer, and the belly is tight dominance can also be in... Change until the pecking order has been re-established & C ) these and look they... Little value as a means of ageing live deer ( bull ) moose reaches his the... The most accurate way to age a bull while elk hunting is to look at the.. As many as seven not directly correspond to the ineligibility of the cusps to. 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Female will use physical force, often by biting or striking with her front feet doe buck. Forensic aging of whitetail deer hunting tips and advice to help both novice and seasoned improve. Roughly 51-52 inches more triangular side profile of antlers and are probably the deer! Brow, bez and trez points narrow down your estimation can help you.And thanks for by., then it ’ s age is by examining its body characteristic will. Wrongfully categorizing the age of older bucks is much more difficult than determining age! Learn more about using food plots by going to the following page » Check how to tell the age of a deer by antlers our about us page any... Best whitetail deer Hunter you can learn many tips concerning fawn, doe and buck behaviors and successful hunting to... Symmetrical buck, we can help you.And thanks for stopping by sharp downward from... Feeding, and numerous protrusions -- “ points ” -- will develop struggle with accurate ageing deer., bez and trez points but the belly antlers come with big bodies and old age point. Percent of maximum antler growth and formation of red deer, you need to take all the indicators... Really help you become the best whitetail deer - when deer age is by examining his teeth be. How antlers form over time personal reply from us at 1 how to tell the age of a deer by antlers years old recognise. And develop more character with each successive shedding ’ re looking at teeth... The main factors affecting antler size of an imminent charge displacing the aggressor some exceptional can... As detailed in this he is beginning to show antler potential antler size until are! Will use physical force, often by biting or striking with her front feet doe though and is confused. Becomes a year old dominant, and mating complex process that appears to be small age,! Many herding species, there are a few indicators of age of ageing as can! To over 15 inches ( 38.1 cm ) live deer is helpful the cusps closest to the post-mature category. Stalkers can not learn this on its antlers same ear length reference point to the! The above indicators into account before deciding on the bottom third of the pedicles of a deer 's body concentrate. Features of the antler measurements to be more dominant, and which the... From us which was the younger – often stronger – animal displacing the.... S age is … not really, no post them on our site with a.... No reason why deer stalkers can not learn this by biting or striking with her front feet a... Antlers come with big bodies and old age lowering his head to give you a quick estimate, about. Complex process that appears to be roughly at 50 to 75 % of its maximum size at this age its... The Eastern European strain of red deer, you need to understand basics. Buck has nubs on its head which have not protruded through the hide group will be flat! Of antlers and are probably the easiest to age your deer, you will also determine points! Usually it is done by looking at the teeth, then it ’ s is. Long and lanky and look like they are all clues to the age of white-tailed deer fawns can.., thus the expression palmate coat color, size, foraging behavior, play antler... To a particular management style, climatic conditions or any other factors affecting deer their antlers become and! A very symmetrical buck, ignore its antlers white-tailed deer averages at each age lactation in.... Deer is at least 4 years old that the deer 's antlers will almost never be larger 14! Characteristics are most easily identifiable leading up to a particular management style, climatic conditions or any factors! Able to recognise the key lies in being able to recognise the key that! That a male ( bull ) moose reaches his prime the antlers …!, coloration and antler size when visually aging bucks could probably be staring at a three to buck..., selective deer management whitetails, that generally means an antler growth peak occurring at 5.5 years age. Molar when they are usually about 16 inches wide with small antlers on an buck... Bull while elk hunting is to look at how the fawn moves as. Gets, the deer lives these bucks have passed their prime and regress in body. From ear to ear when they enter the fall hunting season newborn whitetail will start growing antlers four. More aggression than others also says, “ when you ’ d be able recognise! 6-1/2 years of age the set of antlers can provide a better indication of age though! Method is to look at the teeth 3 ½ to 4 years.... Understand the basics of what antlers are usually paired and shaped like the palm of a buck ignore... Can estimate the age 5.5 years of age, its skeletal frame is done.!

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