Bucks age?

[Mallardmasher]

Do you think he is an old buck or a young and up coming buck

[dvolmer]

If it is a mule deer, I would guess 3.5-4.5 years old and probably the 3.5 years.  If it is a black tail, I am not sure.  Dont really have much experience with them.

[Mallardmasher]

He is a Blacktail

[BigCutty3]

Harder to tell with summer coat still but I would say hes an old buck based on body configuration.  I bet he peaks next year then starts sliding.  First day Shooter this year for me no questions or regrets!!!

[JakeLand]

My guess is a 5.5-6.5 year old based on second pic he’s starting to get a slight Roman nose but still mostly flat my 

[Dan-o]

No expertise from me, but he doesn't look to have massive bases like the buck you took.

I'm guessing he's a year or two younger than the one you took. 

Just a wild guess. 

[buckfvr]

Mature buck, 4 1/2 or likely older.

[fishnfur]

 4.5.  Some blacktail never really develop big bases, but with that rack, I'd expect that this buck would.  It is certainly one of the best signs of older age short of regressive points/tines.
-There's no obvious large knurling at the bases which also comes with age, but there appears to be some on the second shot,
 but the pic's pretty small, so that's inconclusive. 
-To me, the eye size compared to the head seems to be that of a mature buck.  The eyes on a truly old buck will look small in relation to the size of the head since the skull continues to grow throughout their life while their eyes do not. 
-At first glance, you get the feeling that he's pretty big bodied, but I'm not blown away with his mass as I often am with truly old bucks.  He's twisted around a bit, so that also is hard to judge.
-He's a hell of a buck.  Perhaps you'll bag him next year Mallardmasher?  Do you have any pics of him from previous years?

Edit- on second look this morning, his body mass makes me think he's at least 4.5, maybe one more past that. 

[Old Man8383]

This buck is probably older than any of you have suggested.  First due to the type of vegetation in the photo it's a Westside buck, making it a blacktail/bench leg.  The buck is not particularly fat (gaunt) for the time of year the photo was taken.  Then there is a spot on the lower neck that appears to be hairless.  It may be recovering from or coming down with hair slip disease.  That would be consistent with the new hair not being real sleek and though it's out of velvet it hasn't shed off it's summer coat entirely.  I would not be surprised if this buck is 10+ years old.  He may have already peaked in antler development.  If you harvest it and can get it aged by WDFW please post it's age.  If you could photo and  post the lower front teeth and at least the first three molars on a lower jaw I would also appreciate it.  Neat photo.  Good luck!

[BLH69]

I am betting close to Kitsap. So not a benchleg. That was the sun on his coat so not hairslip>

[Alan K]

He's dead now, be curious to hear about a tooth aging!

[Old Man8383]

Ok found his photos in the thread above this one.  Very  nice buck. 

[Mallardmasher]

143lb hanging at locker, which indicates a older mature Blacktail, tooth is sent in, molers wore down to gums, Taxidermist thinks 10years old. Will let you know for sure when we find out.

P.S, my big heavy 5 pt was only 118lb hanging at same locker. Younger buck with a good off season program.

[kball4]

The palmation of the left antler is very cool.