Buck appearance and age????

Skunkbear, I am not a biologist but I'll throw what I know (and THINK I know) at ya.

1. "Can one roughly age a deer by how black or grey his forehead is or by how his rack is configured?? I've heard that old bucks have foreheads that are more grey and young ones are black"

In general, as a Mule deer buck ages, he does indeed begin to "go grey" in the face. Much like a old huntin' dog, as they mature and begin to hit the downhill side of life, they begin to grey...especially around the muzzle (they will start to grey around their peak maturity). Now, although the age of the buck is the bigger factor here, his "lifestyle", or how rough he's had it over the years, will also lend to his "going grey".
The average lifespan of a Mule deer buck (without being hunted) is around 9 years. Again, although there are a couple factors that effect this change, I'd say they really start to go grey between the 6th and 7th years of life (right around thier peak maturity). They will also develop that easily identifiable "roman nose" as they get older. In other words, they become more distinguished than the younger, baby-faced bucks.

2. "I've also heard that as a buck passes his peak his rack becomes heavier out toward the tips, possibly gains more trash and his forks become more like crab claws"

You know, I've heard that before too but I'm not completely sold on it. Although I'm sure it can and does happen with some older bucks I don't think it's a great way to judge the age. Such factors as health, fitness, and testosterone levels dictate the size, and to some extend the configuration, of the rack. The genes/alleles that were passed down to him from his father play a major factor in exactly how, and how big, his rack can get. Provided he gets proper nutrition, and lives long enough, they will hit their peak between 5 and 7 years of age (Again, about the same time as they begin to grey). After that, their testosterone levels begin to drop and age begins to take it's toll on the overall health and fitness of the buck. This will in turn begin to effect the growth of his antlers. They'll start to get smaller, loose that classic mule deer frame, and at times begin to grow some abnormal points that weren't there in it's prime. However, other factors will also cause abnormal growth though such as injury or decrease in nutritional intake. Deer are MUCH more sensative to changes in thier diets than elk or other species and even a small change in thier nutritional intake can have adverse effects. As they get older, they have a harder time recovering after the rut, the winters take a heavier toll, and they have a harder time taking in the proper nutrients.
I believe the "crab-claw" look is more of a genetic issue than an issue of age.

These aren't hard and fast rules, mind you. Just as with humans, they don't all age the same or at the same pace.

Below is a pic of an old Mule deer buck I got a few years ago. Notice his rack configuration and the extremely grey face. I figured he was probably around 7 years or age.

Hope this helps ya. Again, I am NOT a biologist so please do not take my words for gospel.

I posted a backyard buck pic, and the doe that was standing with this buck was huge, she had a white face so I don't know if that means she is older I have put up a trail cam so I hope I get better pics. The ones I have are too large and I can't figure out how to make them smaller?

Northsloper, if ya email them to me I can re-size them and post them for ya. My email address is agchawk@yahoo.com

Just let me know where ya want me to post them (I can also send them back to you if you would rather post them yourself).

I would agree with AGCHAWK on the Roman nose and color of face more than anything.

I have spotted Deer with a naked eye and imediatly new it was a older buck because the big white face.

Here is another of the definate Roman nose on a older Buck compared to a younger one

Couldnt get very close to this guy, but again the big white face.

Great pics Cvrn! Yea, those close-ups of the BIG 3x3 and little 3x3 are great examples.

Here's the pic that Northsloper was refering to.

White foreheads are genetics in my book as is eyeguards, Deformed antlers. I have seen small 4x4 or even some doe's that have the white or grey foreheads. More like lite colors. Just depends on area's that you hunt if they have these differences. I have been in area's where bucks do not have eye guards. But move 45 miles away and have found 3x3 with eye guards.

The white faces do come from age but they do no tell the age of a buck. Even looking at the teeth also. Might find deer in farm lands and where they eat hay corn or whatever they eat.

Pedicules on bucks are kinda a general idea as it takes several years to make the pedicules big. Have seen some big forked horns but not big pedicules.

These are just where I have been or hunted.

Thanks for the insight everyone. Awesome pics too. Just killed a buck today hopefully post pics soon. He's a 4x6 that won't score worth a hoot but has a very unique and heavy rack. Interested in how old this guy is...

Congrats :thumb

cant wait to see the pix

CONGRATS Skunk! I can't wait to see the photos.