Something Looks Different About Brutus
One of the best parts of running trail cameras year after year is getting to know individual deer. You recognize antlers, learn recurring locations, and compare how bucks look from season to season. During our October 12 podcast, we talked about a buck we call Brutus—and the question of whether he is older than we originally believed.
A Familiar Buck Returns
We hadn't photographed Brutus since September 9. More than a month later, he returned, much as he had the previous season. But he looked noticeably thinner. His waist appeared narrow, his hips and shoulders more prominent, and his neck lacked the fullness we were seeing in other bucks approaching the rut.
Is It Age, Injury, or Something Else?
We wondered whether Brutus might be seven or eight rather than about five and a half. Looking back at photographs from 2022, we found an image of a buck that might be him, though we couldn't confirm it. We also considered injury or illness. Chronic wasting disease came up as a possibility, but we had no evidence establishing that diagnosis. A camera photo cannot diagnose CWD or determine the cause of weight loss; concerning signs should be reported to wildlife authorities for appropriate guidance.
The Antlers Are Different, Too
His antlers also appeared to have changed. The left side was impressive, including a kicker, while the right looked smaller than the previous year. Antler development can be influenced by age, genetics, nutrition, health, and injury. We couldn't identify a visible injury from the pictures or video, so the cause remains uncertain.
Behavior Can Be Just as Interesting
Other bucks were stopping to investigate scrapes and showing more fall activity. Brutus often seemed to walk straight past those locations. Was that related to age, condition, or simply the limited moments our cameras captured? We don't know. But the contrast gives us something to monitor as the season progresses.
Multiple Cameras Reveal a Bigger Picture
On one night, Brutus appeared at the pond, around Area 51, and along a field edge. Those observations suggested he was traveling through a wider part of the property. One image is a single moment; several images from different locations can help build a more useful picture of movement.
Building a History of Individual Bucks
We also discussed Timmy, Billy No Brow, and a new 10-pointer. Comparing these deer across seasons makes trail cameras more than a way to collect pictures. Individual bucks develop histories—where they travel, how their antlers change, and when they appear. Sometimes those histories create more questions than answers.
What Hunters Should Look For
Compare body condition at similar times of year, changes in antler development, recurring movement patterns, scrape activity, and differences among deer photographed under similar conditions. Avoid making firm conclusions about age or health from one picture.
The Bottom Line
Trail cameras are about more than locating deer. They let us follow individual animals and observe changes we might otherwise miss. Is Brutus older than we think? Is something affecting his condition? Will he behave differently during the rut? We don't know yet—and that's part of what keeps us checking the cameras.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can photos establish a mature buck's exact age? No; they support estimates. Does a thin buck have CWD? Not necessarily; testing is needed for diagnosis. Can antlers change year to year? Yes. Why track bucks across seasons? Long-term records reveal changes that isolated images may miss.
Listen to the Full Conversation
This article was developed from a discussion on the Killerwinds Podcast, where hunters share their experiences with scouting, trail cameras, and understanding whitetail movement patterns. Watch or listen to the full conversation for additional observations, practical examples, and lessons learned through time spent in the field.
Watch the Full Killerwinds Podcast Episode
