For this week, we want to know what you believe the age of this Northwest Illinois buck.
This buck was passed last year, and may or may not get the same treatment once the 2023 season rolls around. Time and new trail camera pictures will aid in the final decision!
Comment below with your best guess on the age of the Illinois whitetail.
This buck appears to be 4.5 years old. Sizing up the deer’s front end vs its rear as well as the separation of the neck from the body slightly starting to come together leads me to this estimated age.
With pointed ears and a well-defined nose with little to no drop or signs of the force of gravity, I would estimate the age of this deer to be four. Even though its neck is substantial in size, the juncture where the neck and chest cavity meet is still obvious. One thing for sure, this is a heavy-bodied deer luring one to believe that he is older than it actually is.
He has a relatively short face which I typically associate with younger deer, but given his body and antler size, that makes me think he's just a bit older. His hind quarters are still larger than his front shoulders, which is a good indicator to me that he's not yet reached full maturity.
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