Age Matters
“Age structure is arguably the most important factor when managing for white-tailed deer.”
. . . .Craig Harper
Learning to judge the age of a deer is essential to deer herd management.
This takes time and practice and is not an exact science. Deer ages are often discussed in terms of 1.5, 2.5, 3.5 years of age. This is because deer are generaly born in late spring/early summer and hunted in the fall. In the first year of a deer’s life, deer are observed by hunters as fawns. In the second year, the deer will be 1.5 years old during the hunting season.
Following are some clues when estimating age of live deer.
The number of antler points is not a measure of age. The 8 point buck in the photo to the left is a yearling buck. Do not judge the age of a deer by its antlers. Look at body conformation, especially the size of the face in relation to the neck, body girth and leg length in relation to the body, and the shape of the back and belly. A yearling buck (1year old) will have a “long and lanky” appearance. The deer will appear “dainty” with a slim neck, face, and body. The legs will appear long and thin in relation to the body. The chest area of the deer will be relatively small and narrow.
The face of 2-year-old old deer appears larger than the neck,
the legs still appear long in relation to the body, and the back and stomach are taut.
A 3-year-old deer will have a full neck with a deep chest.
The chest area of a 3-year-old is wider than that of a 2-year-old, and the chest is as large as the rump.
The legs of a 3-year-old appear much more muscular. The face does not appear larger than
the neck and the back and stomach are still taunt.
A 4-year-old deer’s legs appear relatively short for the body because girth around the body has increased considerably. The neck and body appear muscular and full.
The stomach and back do not sag.
Fully mature deer (> 5 years old) will often have a drop in their back and a sag in their stomach. Maximum antler growth occurs from 5 – 7 years old. The neck and brisket appear as one continuous muscle.