I agree with this assessment. I have a harder time aging bucks this time of the year, because most look like does with horns. The buck I killed last year looked like a 3 year old all summer, and I’d about decided to give him another year or two. When he filled out in September, it was obvious he was mature, and he ended up being 6.
I'm going to say 3.5 to four. The back is still pretty straight. When they get a couple years older, the back gets a dip and the belly is more pronounced. It will be a mature buck this coming season though.
I think there are now studies out there that say judging by tooth is not totally accurate. Deer that feed in sandy areas have more tooth wear than deer in areas not so sandy. There are other tooth factors involved though about secondary growth of the teeth that do signify actual age, so I guess aging by tooth has to be regional? I don't know for sure.
This one creeped me out so much I had to go find my old picture of one similar. It took a while but here it is. Both yours and mine looks painful. I think mine has some kind of worm in it and notice how thin she is in it. Nature can be cruel.
Your bucks have way more growth than mine right now.
