Precise buck age

[sampotter]

Not to ruffle any feathers, but it cracks me up that every time someone guesses a bucks age its always some number-and-a-half. Really? Being a dairy farmer, my cows are 2yr-olds,3yr-olds, 4yr-olds, etc. It is especially interesting when we are looking at June trail cam pics and someone authoritatively says- "Wow, that buck is 4.5 for sure!" So, you think he was born in December? Its not anyone's fault as this and-a-1/2 stuff has been going on for years as the industry standard, but it does sound funny if you think about it. With fawns usually being born in late May/early June, the only time they are really something-and-a-half years old is late November/early December.

[WNYBuckHunter]

If a deer is born in May, by now its 1/2 year old. If it was born last spring, right now it would be @ 1 1/2.

If someone is talking in June, its probably more of a slip than an attempt at precise aging.

[nyantler]

Its just common to use the 1/2 because most guys see the buck during hunting seasons which would put them half way through the next year. You be right same.. that if they are talking about a buck cammed in early antler growth they would be closer to the previous year than half way to the next. People pick up habits quite easily and that is one of them.

Edited October 19, 2011 by nyantler

[Fletch]

Yep all the fawns I see are dropped in May so November puts them at 1/2 year old.

This is a good conversation to start up with my daughter who has been "almost" 12 since the day after she turned 11!!