ODWC Whitetail Deer Aging

Sampson said:

If these bucks were harvested off my farm in central Oklahoma, I would say your guess is close to about right. Out west, the body size and antler development is really dependent on the rain fall and crops around my farm from year to year. Here’s one off the central farm last year that body size was small but I guessed him at 5.5-7.5. Take a some guesses and I’ll let you know what the taxidermist said he was.View attachment 184271

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Sampson said:

^^well you do sound like a smart a$$. I going to point out the obvious, so somehow your experience of running deer check station makes you an expert at aging deer but a guy who mounts over a hundred deer a year and process over three hundred a year for the last 20 years isn’t? Welcome to OS toothpick! Your going to fit in just fine. As we have lots of resident experts on guns, ammo, wildlife management, morals, ethics, nudity, religion and host of other debatable topics.

I remember the check stations and I used them for years. Depending on the county there maybe lots of deer brought in and other counties not so much. I trust the taxidermists who as looked at more deer in 20 years then most of us will in a lifetime of hunting. He aged the buck at 5.5 even though he only field dressed at 150 lbs.

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Toothpick said:

Please grab some breakfast, and not post toasties. I was simply replying to your post which by the way was a picture of 3/4 of a very nice buck where I could see one side of the rack. I’m sure your taxidermist looked at his jaw bone. There’s a big difference. Please don’t kick your dog because of my response.[/QUOTE

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Sampson said:

I got some caffeine and breakfast and I do feel better. My smart a$$ and sarcastic response is he due to the fact he is a personal friend and probably knows Whitetail better then anyone I know. Too late, for the dog I kick that sucker every chance I get. JK

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Sampson said:

^^well you do sound like a smart a$$. I going to point out the obvious, so somehow your experience of running deer check station makes you an expert at aging deer but a guy who mounts over a hundred deer a year and process over three hundred a year for the last 20 years isn’t? Welcome to OS toothpick! Your going to fit in just fine. As we have lots of resident experts on guns, ammo, wildlife management, morals, ethics, nudity, religion and host of other debatable topics.

I remember the check stations and I used them for years. Depending on the county there maybe lots of deer brought in and other counties not so much. I trust the taxidermists who as looked at more deer in 20 years then most of us will in a lifetime of hunting. He aged the buck at 5.5 even though he only field dressed at 150 lbs.

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SnowCamo said:

Any confidence I thought I had in aging deer went out the window with this one.

I’ve posted it before but it was shot by my dad on a draw hunt. The two guys in the park office pulled the jaw on site and said he was 8.5.
View attachment 184346

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retrieverman said:

Yep, I would’ve missed that one by a mile. My guess (based on just that picture) would be 2.5.

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