Just about every fall one or more of the mainstream hunting magazines publishes an article on how to age whitetail deer.
Now, for the first time ever, you can read about how to age deer hunters right here on my blog! Just follow these easy steps, and you’ll be able to age the next deer hunter you see. You never know when you’re going to see a trophy.
First off, much like aging whitetail deer, it’s not as easy as you think. You can’t just go by the size of the, ahem, rack. But there are some subtle hints that delineate a 35-year-old from a 45-year old that bears some semblance to how you differentiate between a 3 1/2- and a 4 1/2-year-old buck. And because most deer hunters are male (and I don’t want to incite a riot) I’ll only write about judging the age of a male deer hunter.
Here’s the skinny on making an accurate age assessment:
Grey Hair: I’m not talking about grey hair in general, I’m specifically talking about grey facial hair. If a deer hunter has grey hair that just means he’s older than 25 or 30. But grey facial hair means you have a mature buck, probably at least 40.
Clothing: Older deer hunters are not fashion conscious (or fashion cautious). Like the one in the picture here, older deer hunters dress for warmth not fashion. Hence wool pants and the “Elmer Fudd” hat. A younger 20- to 30-year-old deer hunter pays heed to fashion trends even when in the woods.
Physique: Any deer hunter 40 years or older is beyond his physical prime. They are also less desirable breeding stock because they lack motivation (however they tend to have bigger wallets). Older deer hunters are generally thicker in the waste than in the chest; conversely with those under age 40. Belly size is only a generality because some young bucks sit on the couch and eat too many potato chips prior to the rut. This year expect most bucks to be a little trimmer than normal due to the lack of hockey on television. Overall, bad backs and bumpy bellies are the hallmarks of bucks over 50.
Feeding and Breeding Habits: Young deer hunters are far more apt to be up and at it prior to dawn. Older bucks often sleep in until later in the morning. But if an older buck does make an appearance prior to dawn, rest assured he will be bedded down before dusk. They can’t do both. Older bucks feed more than they breed. It’s not that they don’t want to, it’s just that feeding is less stressful and has more predictable results. Young bucks charge all over the place like the energizer bunny but sometimes overlook low-hanging fruit. Older bucks are wiser and more experienced. There’s a good joke about a young buck and an old buck looking over a field full of feeding does... On second thought, I better not.
Up Close and Personal: The most accurate way to judge the age of a deer hunter is best done up close. Fully mature bucks have wrinkled facial skin, hair growing from their nostrils and ears, and generally more hair on their backs than on their heads. If you find an old buck with those telltale signs he’s most certainly over 50.
Finally, remember that old deer hunters generally make better pets than young bucks. What the old boys lack in enthusiasm and energy they make up in personality. They are generally more jovial and easier to please than the youngsters.
Now go ahead and use your newly acquired aging techniques and judge the old boy in this picture. Let me know your best estimate!
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