MAINE SUNDAY TELEGRAM • October 10, 2021
When most folks talk about aging deer they’re referring to venison, and the process of hanging a deer for an extended period to improve flavor and tenderness. However, with the rise in popularity of trail cameras, increasingly more hunters are sharing photos on social media and asking, “How old is this deer?” When it comes to the answers you have to consider the source. A lot of well-meaning keyboard biologists offer their opinions, often of questionable accuracy. Fortunately, there are some fairly reliable – though not foolproof – methods for properly aging deer on the hoof, or from a photo. ~ Bob Humphrey