Can the age of a buck be judged by the circumference of his bases ?  Seems like older deer have bigger bases, & 2-4 yr old deer although having tine length etc, still have smaller bases.  Any truth to this?

Just guessing but would think genetics play a big role in it.

no you can.t i have shot older deer with smaller circumferences the some of my younger ones. i do know there is a way to do it measuring from the corner of the mouth to the corner of the eye. but dont know how to do it myself. but looking at the teeth is usually a good gauge

Genetics and nutrition both play a bigger role in antler size (including base diameter) than age does.

The ONLY reliable way to age a deer is by its molars nore speciffically how worn they are. Most fish and game depts have charts that show how a deers molars wear over time. So give em a call.

I agree with Gut about the teeth as the best way to determine age, as well as G1 about the genetics determining base size, and again with Slay about nutrition being a factor.

That being said, lets face it, many in their given regions can come fairly close to judging a bucks age on the hoof just buy adding up certain characteristics. Mind you this is regionally specific. Though the characteristics tend to be more broad based. I.E swayback/belly.

So I would say that you can come fairly close in guessing an age based on tcam pics as well as actual sightings. Partially on base circumference, but other factors as well.

i think the most accurate method is actually by doing a cross section of a tooth. i don't beleive any of the other methods are TOTALLY foolproof.

just my opinion and understanding

i think there are actually some companies offering the survice for around $30.00

I usually try to look more for roman noses, sway backs and short looking legs, then horn dimensions. I did say USUALLY!!LOL!!

I agree that the best way to determine age is by body characteristics like swayback and belly. I have had a strong belief that teeth aren't the best way. I think that what a deer eats has a lot to do with tooth wear. For example a deer that eats acorns and hard crops like corn and beans all of its life will have a lot more wear than a deer that eats soft crops like soft vegitation and apples and pears.

I think all free range deer eat both hard and soft food...depending on whats available. For example, the deer around here love young soybeans seedlings and winter wheat plants, as well as acorns, dried corn and beans.

I think hunters miss interpret aging deer by teeth. Most taxidermist you talk to will tell you, you don't judge by how worn out the teeth are, you judge them by how many molars and how many cuspids they have. the older the deer the more cuspids on their molars. its kind of like wisdom teeth on young adults. the circumference can generally be used if you know the deer on your particular property. if your deer in your area typically have say a 2 inch circ. at say 1 1/2 to 2 1/2 year old deer, than its safe to say anything larger than 2 inches would be older than a 2 1/2 year old deer or very close too. it does depend on the nutrition and such, but the deer in your area all eat the same thing (mostly), youre not going to find a 1 1/2 year old deer with say 4 inch bases and a 3 1/2 year old deer with 2 1/2 inches in the same area you hunt. its not like a deer runs from tennessee to indiana and breed and roam. so its safe to say, depending on your location and knowledge of what your deer have for head gear depends on aging deer from circumference. best bet for aging deer in your area, is to know the deer, you can look at a 1 1/2 year old and tell its young, but look at a 3 1/2 and you'll start to notice a few changes, just learn your deer in your area and you will be a better judge while on hoof and on the ground when your grinning over him.

ODT, that's pretty much what I was trying to say, but you stated it much better. If you learn the deer in your region you'll be able to guess "fairly" accurately what a deers age is. But it will most likely depend on more info than just base circumference.

yah, you seem to know your stuff pretty well. Even though we've had our differences (trespassers) lol you still are very knowledgable. I just figured i'd give a little insight to some other folks, i just recently was taught this from the taxidermist i take my work too and know i've heard many times (including myself) say judge them by wear. mind you i'm only 26, and i'll never know it all, but its always nice to talk to the old timers, because they know whats best and the gentlemen doing my mounts is an elder and very knowledgable. the younger generation just doesn't show respect to most elders who can teach us alot about life. but yeah, you did say partially on circ. but other factors will also need to be factored in. but hope this helps some others out. have a good off season lunkerdog.

This is all great advice. I learned that body caracteristics are pretty reliable on the hoof. There is info out there to help you see what to look for. Tooth wear and number are also very reliable. If you use a trail camera, and find a deer with a certain indentifying shape to it's antlers, it will normally carry that same shape every year, kind of like a fingerprint. That may not tell you how old that deer is, but it will help you identify that buck each season so you can track the progression of the aging process of that animal. Look for the body shape and size difference each year. Hope this all helps. Hunt safe y'all!!