big buck track?

[regulate34]

so I was out looking for bears. Found a few tracks. Then I followed this one for a little while hoping to catch a glimpse of him.

I now they have shed this time of year. I don't know much about sizing animals off their tracks as I am a meat hunter.
How big/old do you think this guy might be?

the cartridge is 3.400" long
I guess the track is 5.25"-5.50"

 

[mossyhorns]

Are you in mule deer country?

At this size it is most likely the track of an adult deer and also likely a buck. I've seen large deer with relatively small feet and vis a versa, but generally a deer track in the neighbourhood of 5.5 inches ( including dew claws) is that of a mature deer. The front of his hoofs are on the clean side for a really old brute though. If I was to guess I would say an adult deer but not a really old deer. I've been wrong before however.

Go back this Fall and shoot him so we'll know for sure.

 

[rookie wildcat]

I, too, would go with a large deer. Adult, but not old. When the front of the hoof is that sharp, it tells you that there hasn't been much time to wear them down, making them rounder.

Definitely a keeper next fall.