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How old was that 16” wide, 8-point you shot? Was he 2˝….harvested four years before his prime? Or was he a 7˝ year old “management buck” (a buck which should have been culled from the herd 3 years earlier)? Identifying the age of the deer you harvest is vital to any wildlife or land management program. Utilizing the Deer Aging Tool, one can easily categorize the harvested animal into the following four age classes: fawn (6-months old); 1˝ (yearling); 2˝-4˝ (middle aged); and, 5˝+ (mature).
The age class data collected throughout the season can give a good estimate of your herd’s nutrition level and genetic potential. Determining the age structure of your herd also allows for proper harvest recommendations the following year.
The primary reason for aging deer is to manage for mature trophy bucks. In order to produce trophy deer, three (3) things are needed: Age, Nutrition and Genetics. It is impossible to manage a deer herd without knowing the age structure of the herd! Whitetail bucks reach maximum antler size at 6˝ to 7˝ years of age. Bucks will not reach their full genetic potential if they are harvested before reaching maturity.
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