How old? To shoot or not to shoot?

If you are new to hunting shoot what makes you happy for now. As you learn more about deer and deer hunting establish what your personal rules are and go from there.

The deer looking at the camera isn't really easy to age you can't see enough of his body. The one in the back looks older but one picture of a deer can lie to you I like to have several to make a decision if possible.

At the end of the day in your shoes both of those bucks would likely end up on your all shoot them if they make you happy.

How large is the section of private land, and how many years will you have access?

If you choose not to shoot and want these deer to grow, you better make sure the other guys dont shoot as well.

I’d bet those deer are 3 years old. The pics I’m getting if 4 and 5 year olds just south of you in Panola co are already thick in the necks and large bodied.

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Front buck looks younger than back buck to me.

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Looks like it to me too

My best advice to you is shoot what would make your trigger finger itch. You're not on a high fence ranch, nor or you on a huge block of like minded or regulated hunting acres, like a big MLD unit. Deer have a tough life, and there's no guarantee that they will live to next season. Hell, there's no guarantee you'll ever lay eyes on these two deer.

Now, if you were on a big block of regulated hunting lands, I'd say to pass on the front deer and consider the back deer. On a high fence, you let both of those walk.

I am self professed terrible at this game, but they both look youngish.

That said, I shoot either one of them.

Unless my kid is with me, and the time that I spend pushing him down and stealing his rifle would probably make me shoot the second one that stepped out.

Id say 3.5 Personally id give them more time. They will explode in the next 1.5 years. However, they are both beautiful now and taking either one would be a thrill. You have to decide what your hunting goals are.

Both are down if I saw them.

That’s about as perfect of a symmetrical 8 point as you can get.

Deer looks skinny to me for a rack that size but maybe it’s the camera