Another aging tool

[BSK]

One aging tool I don't think gets enough consideration is body width--the horizontal thickness of the shoulders and body trunk when viewed end-on. This is an excellent indicator of age in bucks.

Here's a prime example. This classic little yearling buck is as narrow as a razor blade when viewed from the front:

In comparison, a very mature buck will look like a Hereford steer:

 

[redblood]

true, but body condition and genetics also play a role in base width. just like in showing cattle, so genetic lines produced coarser fronted broader shoulder individuals than others, granted age does affect it all lines.

 

[jw0312]

I'm getting thicker as I age as well.

 

[BSK]

true, but body condition and genetics also play a role in base width. just like in showing cattle, so genetic lines produced coarser fronted broader shoulder individuals than others, granted age does affect it all lines.

Just remember that cattle genetics are manipulated to produce specific features. Deer are not. Body width is an extremely accurate method of judging age in whitetailed bucks. Now there will always be some variation from individual to individual, just like with any feature of any species, but not to the point that the bottom pictured buck could be mistaken for anything but very mature.

 

[TheLBLman]

Very good points, BSK, and you're right, this particular way of field aging has not been mentioned enough. Not sure it's as good for me as a side view of a rutting buck in early November, but it is a great way for almost anyone to identify a yearling buck from an older one.

Have noticed that some very well-fed 2 1/2's can be quite wide in their stomach area, too, which could be a bit misleading.

I'm getting thicker as I age as well.

x 2

 

[TheLBLman]

. . . . . body width -- the horizontal thickness of the shoulders and body trunk when viewed end-on. This is an excellent indicator of age in bucks.

By contrast, an excellent indicator of age in females
is the horizontal thickness of the hams, when viewed end-on.

 

[ROUGH COUNTRY HUNTER]

good points

 

[BSK]

. . . . . body width -- the horizontal thickness of the shoulders and body trunk when viewed end-on. This is an excellent indicator of age in bucks.

By contrast, an excellent indicator of age in females
is the horizontal thickness of the hams, when viewed end-on.

 

[BSK]

Have noticed that some very well-fed 2 1/2's can be quite wide in their stomach area, too, which could be a bit misleading.

True. I'm more refering to the width across/between the shoulders. Basically, the thickness of the chest area instead of the stomach area.