I bet most of the bucks that make it to 5 yrs old up there do not die from the hands of humans either age,winter or predators.I look at the massive roadless country I hunt and wonder whats in them, rarely does anyone ever step foot into it, there are no openings for miles just solid timber. We have serveral bucks that I have kept tabs on for years that were over 8 yrs old.
same spot this buck has always been a 4x4 for 5 years ans stays about the same size, he might be the same age as the one I am after. His body come fall is enormous, I had named him heffer buck

