This buck has managed to give hunters the slip for a few years now, he is well known for working scrapes in daylight when the hunter is not around.
Based off of the pictures you see below, what is your best guess for the age of this elusive IL buck?
This buck appears to be a 5.5-year-old. He’s getting a slightly round belly typical with bucks this age and beginning to gray in the muzzle.
When reviewing the animal, as it stretches, there appears minor if any sag in its stomach, but in the relaxed standing position, its stomach is no longer taut and its back remains straight. There is also a significant amount of loose skin at the sternum from years of neck expansion. It also has large hams with well-muscled upper front legs. When broadside, its nose appears well defined with no drop to it, but there appears to be a slight drop in the skin below its jaw. I estimate its age at 5.5 years.
Well the photos of the two bucks facing each other sure illustrate the difference age makes. I’m going to say this buck is 5.5.
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