Questions about old age buck....end of their lives.

[md1]

How much body weight and size will a whitetail lose in it's final years of life? Equally important question goes for its rack........I've had one around my house for years now and Im wondering if im going to actually see one come close to live out its life cycle....I have to confirm my thoughts, gather old pictures, and go over information with neighbors that also know this deer. Wondering if anyone has had experience seeing a buck year to year go downhill in age....thanks for any input.

 

[finelyshedded]

Typically I’ve read and experienced a buck deers rack will max out its biggest and best rack at 6 years of age give or take a year considering overall health. Lack or nutrition and injuries can negatively effect the size and structure of their antlers as well. After 6-7 years of age they tend to continue to gain mass in beams and overall antler structure but tend to degenerate in total inches although there are exceptions to the rule. Just my take after hunting and reading over 4 decades of literature and time in the field.
As for body size and weight I’ve not read or thought much on the subject cuz they rarely live much beyond 6 years of age. I have read there is a point if they do live longer they eat less due to tooth wear or loss and pretty much like elderly humans lose weight and body mass.

 

[Knelly]

I have one buck that has to be close to the end of his life cycle. The year this farm was purchased was in 2019 and at the time I thought the deer to be 3 yrs old. Each year he has been on camera and has never made one of those growth jumps. We have a pile of sheds from him over the years and I am 99% certain this deer is approaching that 9-10 yr old mark.
2019

2025

 

[Gern186]

99.9 percent of them dont make it past 4 years old in most huntable areas in my opinion.