Two bucks..One choice?

[HiddenHornsRanch]

I caught these two bucks (front 2) on my trail camera. They are mature deer, but I would like opinions on them, because looks can be deicieving. Please tell me how old you think they are. Ones a 10 and the others an 8. Sorry, but these 2 always give me messed up pics, I cant get any head on.

[DeerCamp]

At first I didnt relize there was anothe buck in the pic. I would say all 3 are nice bucks, the 10pt looks older. I would say 3 1/2 maybe 4 1/2.. I would take the 10pt over the 8pt anyday.

[schlupis]

I think the 10 is a 3 1/2  great deer the 8 point is probably 2 1/2 he looks a little thin but its hard to tell from that pic both nice deer....... Good luck this season let us know how you do.......

[vipermann7]

both of them management bucks. on some of the hunting shows they are anyway. great bucks.


i would say 3 1/2 for both of them, i dont think they are younger than that, and 4 1/2 tops. im all about using track measurements to help age deer since I saw it on Deer and Deer Hunting TV. they showed how to estimate age from hoof print size.

[Sailfish]

However old they are, those are some fine animals!
 
Great job.

[ranwin33]

I think 3 1/2 and 2 1/2.  Legs on the one with his head down seem to be a bit long for the body.

[JPH]

My decision is limited by several factors. For one thing, there is only one photo and a deer can sometimes reveal a lot by simply turning his boday. Secondly, I am not accustomed to Texas deer, and I may mis-read body indicators.
 
With the disclaimer out of the way, I would shoot the 10 pt. He appears to be 3.5 or older, whearas the 8 pt. looks to be 2.5 or older. The larger rack is a side benifit for me.

[dtrain56]

i would agree

[ILBowhunter]

Personally, I don't think you need head on pics to make a judgment as to age; the broadside shots you have are more telling.  I think both of the bucks in the foreground are at least 3.5 yo, maybe 4.5 yo; both their bellies are sagging quite a bit, they have massive shoulders, and a bit of sway in their backs.  The one with its head down is certainly younger, but would seem to have greater potential with regard to antlers.  If he's only 2.5, what will he be in a year or two?

[howhill1]

too be quite honest i would guess the 10 pt at about 4-1/2 or better becuase of the location. i say this because im GUESSING that the available forage may not be as good as the midwest with crop fields abound. that however may not be true. i have no experience aging texas deer. given the choice of harvesting one or the other, both deer being of the same age of 3-1/2 or better i would shoot the eight and leave the ten a few more years to hopefully sire a few more bucks. at any rate they both appear to be nice deer.