That is a really nice buck! He should be bigger this hunting season. I'm putting him in the 140's. Probably only 4 1/2 years old. He hasn't quite developed the pot belly and low back. Whitetails tend to look well proportioned at 4 1/2.
Their are quite a few big into QDM (Quality Deer Managment) down their in the south. Had a guy down their who owned a hutnig plantation tell me a few tips on what to look for when guaging a deers age. These may not apply here since they are not souther corn fed Whitetails but I thought I would share.
*In their first year or approx 6 month ( First Deer Season) you can tell their small and have buttons.
*In their 2nd - 3rd season or 1 1/2 - 2 1/2 they look kinda goofy. Their legs look longer than they should in proportion to their body. They also have waht I call a high belly.
*In their 4th season 3 1/2 years they start to fill out but still don't look well proportioned. .Legs are still a bit long,
*In their 5th season 4 1/2 years they are well proportioned and filled out.
*In their 6th season 5 1/2 years they start to develop a pot belly and their back starts to drop.
*In their 7th season 6 1/2 years they more than likely have a good pot belly going on as well as solid looking. This is usually the point when antler start to decline. Than again it realy depends on the heathe of the deer.
