This nocturnal buck wants to put on a show for the camera, as in show off that nice set of antlers on top of his head. This photo was taken in Union County, Pennsylvania. How old is this good looking buck?
Aging this Pennsylvania Buck
Let me start by saying that this photo does not capture the buck in the ideal position for making the best possible age determination. I’ll also say that not many game camera photos do capture bucks in that “just right” position, so we will make our best assessment.
This photo was submitted after the hunting season—way after actually. The photo reads 2018. The photo was taken in mid-February so we need to keep in mind that the buck is worn down from the breeding season and winter.
The buck looks to have a belly on him, which immediately makes me think 5+ years of age. His front legs appear on the short side, another indication that this buck is getting long in the tooth, so to speak.
If this was a pre-rut photo I would call this buck 5 1/2 years of age, but since it’s post-rut and well into winter, I’d say this whitetail is at least 6 1/2 years of age, possibly older. His antlers may even be on the decline, as nutrition starts to drop off with excessive tooth wear.
If he’s still alive, he’s a shooter!