Mature deer?

Muleys24Seven · Mar 31, 2014

A lot of hunters talk about how they want the opportunity to hunt and take a mature deer. Just curious what everyone considers a mature deer? Does score also weigh in?

Is 3.5 yrs old mature? What about 4.5? 5.5+???

Last year I shot a 4yr old buck (lab aged) that scored mid-170. I don't think I would consider him a mature deer as I believe his antler growth had more upside and his body size was medium. That being said I've seen some huge 4 yr old deer with great genetics that were 180+...I would probably be more likely to consider them mature.

What do you guys think?

Zeke · Mar 31, 2014

Sexually mature or reaching their maximum trophy potential?

I think for maximum trophy potential a deer should GENERALLY be about 5.5 years old, at least.

We never know when they'll start regressing until they do. It's hard to gauge the peak but I still say it's between 5.5 and 6.5 years.

There's one opinion. I'm sure others will follow.
Zeke

crownroyal · Mar 31, 2014

5.5 is also my vote.

mmwb · Mar 31, 2014

For trophy potential, I think the statements above are probably pretty accurate, though I'm sure there are exceptions. I define mature by the size of the body. I've only killed three bucks I would consider mature, based on a large framed body. One probably scores close to 180, the others wouldn't score anything special. All three were similar in body size. Boned out meat: 82, 83, and
83.5 lbs respectively. I don't think any of the three were very old. Maybe 3 yrs... So by trophy standards, they were not mature. By body size, I believe they were probably as big as many older bucks (based on others' reports of weights of bucks). Would have the 175+ buck gotten bigger if I hadn't killed him? Probably, but I've no regrets. I don't need a 200"+ rack to consider an animal a trophy and don't believe that more huge bucks will make for a more viable herd. Mature, yes. Huge antlers, no.

dillon · Mar 31, 2014

I agree that it takes at least 4.5 years usually one or two more after that to get a mature. If you ask a wildlife biologist they classify bucks as mature by their teeth and I have seen them classify 2.5 year old bucks as mature (in northern Utah). My oldest buck I have shot was 5.5 years old and he was a very smart and mature buck. Most bucks don't have a chance to mature on general season units unless they hide on private land or in really thick timber.

Dillon
www.dillonhoyt.com

Muleys24Seven · Mar 31, 2014

Those are good points. I guess as a hunter I am basing "mature" off of its trophy potential. I would agree 5.5+ yrs old would be mature most of the time.

I do believe deer are a lot like humans where not every deer will have a large body no matter how old they get. I shot a 7.5 yr old two years ago in Colorado...big rack, tiny body.

...suppose they could also age like Lebron James and be a freak at 3.5 yrs old.

buckhorn · Mar 31, 2014

Muleys24Seven

Great username
I do like Mature Bucks that have a Big fat face and big roman nose, but for me its more about the antler size.

AND YES SCORE DOES MATTER TO A LOT OF US.

buckhorn

elkun · Mar 31, 2014

ive killed 3 point deer that were big mature bucks ,200lb, 5 and half years old, I feel bad for you guys that think score,, makes you a hunter'. deer are like people some will be monsters at 3and half some will never go over 24 inches. , enjoy the hunt, score is for bowling and golf,,,,,,,age really makes the diff, between smart deer and 2 points, not score,,,,

tx_packmule · Mar 31, 2014

Mature is 4yo in terms of skeletal development. I still see that as middle aged though in areas that can see deer get 7-10yo.

257Tony · Mar 31, 2014

I've heard lots of guys say things like "Thant Buck isn't mature because he doesn't have lot of mass". Lots of good points already mentioned, ie the only true way to judge age is to pull a tooth and send it in.

deerslayer88 · Mar 31, 2014

Lebron nothing more than a primadonnas that will never be as good as Jordan lol.

Ill stir this one a little.

nontypical · Apr 1, 2014

The term "mature" is as ambiguous as the term "trophy". Different definitions to different folks. Wy G&F defines a "mature" buck as a breeding age buck. That would be a yearling. But that depends on which biologist you're talking to. Figure that one out.

Does mature mean maximum body weight? Biggest antlers?? Score???

I suppose if you were to apply all of those criteria, mature would be anywhere from 3 until he dies, IMO. Except score. That is a non-factor.

I videoed a local buck for many years that stayed in a non-hunting area his entire life. He grew his biggest antlers at 8 or 9 years of age( my guess). He ended up getting poached a couple of years ago. G&F figured him at about 14 yrs old.

sageadvice · Apr 1, 2014

I've taken some bucks that were obviously older and no doubt mature. I've also taken some nice bucks that were obviously younger and being so, feeling that their best years were probably ahead of them if they had lived, i felt that they were not yet fully mature bucks.

My Uncle who was a better Big Buck hunter than i ever hoped to be, once put it to me like this;

Your 2-3 year old bucks are like the guys on the high school football team. Some size, some smarts, but better days ahead.

Your 3-4 year old bucks, they made it thru and on to the College team. Fast, strong, and look good but they still have room to fill out.

Any of the Bucks still walking around after that, they made it to the Pros. Only a few will get there and might not have the biggest racks but they are at the top of their game.

There are always exceptions to just about anything!

Joey

"It's all about knowing what your firearms practical limitations are and combining that with your own personal limitations!"

Zeke · Apr 1, 2014

That's an interesting and appropriate way to say it.
High school,
College,
then the Pros after they reach 5.5+
Uncle must have been one of those smart old coots! Damn few of those guy left any more.
Zeke

JakeH · Apr 3, 2014

I like Sage's analogy the best, and I would agree that 4 years old is when a buck will really start to fill out in his body and antler size given that there environment does not hamper there growth. That being said they can grow alot after that and I feel that 6-8 is when a buck will peak out and start going down hill.

Jake H. BIG BONE HUNTING Page on Facebook.