Hey everyone. Sorry for another "age help" type thread. I've been reading a book on how to age deer and I'm trying to apply it to the deer on my family's ranch in West TX. I'm trying to manage the property by only shooting mature bucks, preferably at least 4.5 yr olds and if able, 5.5+ only. Here are the best candidates from trail cam pics so far this year. Also, if you think any of them will go P&Y or better, let me know too as that's one of my goals for the year...to shoot my first P&Y. I think 3 or 4 of these bucks will be P&Y or better based on my rookie eye haha. Thanks in advance for the help guys.

On this buck, I'm thinking that based on the pot belly, sway back, and how his shoulders seem to stick up, that this buck is at least 5.5 at most likely 6.5. I also think he's around 130...



This 10 pt is the best scoring buck I've gotten on camera so far. Based on its tight back and belly, plus the thick neck, I'm thinking this buck is no older than 4.5 and scores 135-140...




Based on the slimmer neck, tight back and belly, and how the neck connects to the chest/brisket, I'm thinking this buck is probably 3.5 yrs old and right at 125 or so...


More to come shortly...

Nice bucks. From those pics I would say the top and bottom bucks are mature deer, 5 or older. The 10 point is either a 4 or 5 yr old max, would not argue either one. I would like to see pics of all of them in about 5 weeks, they will all look older or more their age. That 6 point is mature also from what I can see in these pics.

Based on how his body is and how short his legs look along with a thick neck, I feel like this buck is probably 5.5 yrs old and scores around 130...


I'm thinking 4.5-5.5 for this guy and barely P&Y if not a little shy of 125...





This buck is probably the oldest I have on cam I think... I have picks from him for the past 3 seasons and this is the first year he's really starting to go downhill regarding antler size. I'm thinking he's 8.5+ and the score doesn't matter with him haha
Jan 2013

Oct 2013

Fall 2014


Thank you for everyones input in advance!

Yeah that 6 point is the most well known deer on the ranch. I just posted a few of him. I think he's maybe 8.5+?? He is definitely going downhill.

Kill that 6 before he breeds again. He's not adding anything to your herd. It's a shame he's been breeding the past 6 or 7 years.

He was a beauty of an 8 a couple years ago. He's just way on the back end of his life. If you look, I posted pics of him from last year and the year prior. He is on the hitlist though as he was last year too.

I'd say you're pretty spot on. 10 might score lil better that you think

Awesome...any guesses on what you think his potential score could be if it's better than 140?

I think you've done your home work well on these bucks and I agree with your assessments. I think the ten would make pope and young. Good luck this season.

Thanks Pitchfork Pred

lts, you've done your homework and recon on these. Your ages and scores look very reasonable from what I see..Nice bucks.

Ages look pretty close but scores are a bit high.. That 10 would be the only chance at P&Y if theres not much deduction

Nice deer. Seems like you're right on the money with the ages. You don't need much help from us.

That 6 point woul be the first deer to get shot if it was me! He's definitely an old creep!! Lol agreed of the other guys post on the others. Good luck buddy!!