Many deer hunters, including myself, enjoy using trail cameras during July to see how antlers are developing and the age structure of bucks where they will be hunting.

Estimating a buck’s age during the growing season can be difficult.  Bucks aren’t producing as much testosterone during this time of year and therefore they don’t appear as muscular or bulked up.

These conditions often result in estimates of bucks’ ages being younger than they are.

As an example, we recently posted a current Reconnyx image of a buck we call Ringer 8 on social media and asked for estimates of his age.  This buck has displayed similar antler characteristics year to year, which has made it possible to identify him..  We have images of Ringer 8 for 4 years and feel confident he’s 8+ years old.

Most folks underestimated his age.  They judged him to be 2 or 3 years old!

You may believe most estimates were too young because Ringer 8’s antlers are small for his age.  However, we find the same trend when posting images of bucks with relatively large antlers for their age.

Most images in magazines, taxidermy, etc., show bucks during the peak of the rut when bucks’ testosterone levels are high and bucks are at their physical peak.  It seems we get conditioned to expect bucks to appear in this shape year-round.

There are some physical traits that don’t change with the influx of testosterone during the early fall.  Bucks with a pot belly and/or swayed back show these characteristics during the summer and fall.  Another characteristic of mature bucks is that their brisket hangs below their chest during both the summer and fall.

Rather than estimating a buck’s age based on antler size, this year try studying the body characteristics.  I believe your estimates will be more accurate.

Enjoy Creation and I hope our paths cross soon!

Grant