How Much Does A Deer Weigh: Easily Calculate Weight Of Any Deer

Have you ever wondered how much does a deer weigh? Since there are 43 different species of deer in the world, each with its own unique weight and size, it can be tough to come up with an accurate estimate. The reason behind this is that there are a lot of variables when it comes to deer weight, such as age, sex, diet, and geographic location.

Fortunately, we’ve compiled a handy chart that will help you figure out the average weight of each deer species without too much difficulty. From our research, we found that the accepted average range of deer weight is;

• 150 to 300 lbs for mature bucks.
• 100 to 200 lbs for mature does.
• A fawn’s weight varies with age.

According to our field test and research, the following table shows how much each type of deer weighs on average.

How Much Does A Deer Weigh: A Comprehensive Guide

Factors Affecting Variation In Average deer Weight

However, the average weights of each deer species largely depend on the following factors:

1. Breeding Season
2. Nature and Seasonal Change
3. Availability of food and nutrition

Breeding Season:

In general, the rut starts in October and runs until mid-November. During this time, bucks are in a heightened activity state, such as fighting for dominance, mating, and territorial marking. During this period, deer stop eating, and their weight can decrease by up to 25%. So, for instance, a 170lb male deer during the rut can lose up to 43lbs, and a 200lb buck can lose up to 50lbs.

Also, bucks shed their antlers after rutting. This is because their antlers become weak and brittle due to testosterone imbalance and fight for possession of females. The average weight of bucks antlers is 3 to 9 pounds. So the live weight may also fluctuate due to antlers shedding.

Nature and Seasonal Change:

Weather conditions such as rain, snow, and permafrost have a significant impact on deer populations and food, resulting in weight changes. 

For example, rain cause for increased growth of vegetation which deer consume. This, in turn, increases the deer’s hydrate intake and results in gaining weight. Conversely, drought can result in less available food, leading to a decrease or loss of body weight.

Deer in colder climates will typically have more body fat as they need extra insulation from the cold weather. In summer, deer try to eat more to increase their energy level to survive in the colder season. As a result, their weight goes up. Also, in the colder season, deer feed more on nuts, forage, and green vegetation, which contain higher levels of nutrients.

Availability of food and nutrition:

The most crucial factor affecting deer nutritional status is the availability of quality forage. If there is not adequate nutritious vegetation available, does will become malnourished and struggle to produce healthy fawns or bucks. Also, if there is a long dry period, the deer’s food sources will be depleted, and they may lose weight.

How To Calculate Deer Weights

Deer weights have, however, been recorded to exceed the accepted ranges. Therefore, many methods have been suggested to give accurate weight estimations of any deer. The chest-girth method and weight to meat ratio are two standard methods.

The chest-girth method is popular because it does not incorporate a lot of calculation. It can also be implemented right there on the field.

However, we personally discourage the chest-girth method. Though very popular among many hunters, the technique has three main shortcomings.

How To Calculate Deer Weights Using Heart-Girth Method

The chest-girth method, also known as the heart grith method, is a way to calculate the weight of a deer. It is accomplished by measuring the girth behind the front legs of a deer.

To calculate by using the chest girth method, you need to have a tape or strings to measure the distance around the deer’s chest just behind the forelegs. If you use strings, you can use the ruler later to get the number in inches. Here the distance in inches is called the chest girth. Once you find the distance take the help from the below table to identify the live weight, field dress weight, and edible meat weight.

Reference: https://www.pgc.pa.gov/Wildlife/WildlifeSpecies/White-tailedDeer/Pages/DeerWeightChart.aspx

Shortcomings Of Chest-Girth Method For Calculating Deer Weigh:

We have illustrated the main shortcomings of the chest-girth method below.

Deer Body Types Vary

Some deer are skinny with large girths. Others are full of meat but with smaller girths. The girth method does not take this into consideration. Instead, it assumes that there is a definite co-relation between girth and mass. The co-relation may be present but not always.

Deer weight charts founded on the girth method give false readings on many occasions. We will look at the most accurate deer weight estimation techniques further below.

Deer Of The Same Age Tend To Share Chest-Girth Measurements

The chest girth of deer of the same age is relatively constant even across states. If you have hunted across states, you know the average deer weight by the state is anything but constant. Another mechanism to determine deer weight should, therefore, be used. If the girth method must be used, the girth charts should be state/ region-specific to improve accuracy.

Skinny Deer Can Have Big Chest-Girths

I have seen skinny deer with chest girths much bigger than plumper deer. Application of the chest-girth method in such situations gives you wrong feedback. Since hunters rarely transport their harvests whole, we will have to contend with means to determine live weight from processed deer.

How To Calculate Deer Weights Using Meat To Weight Ratio Method

The best way to determine weight would be to weigh a whole deer. Since that is not practical for the average hunter, let us look at some proven deer weight to meat ratios.

Meat to Weight Relationships For Calculating Deer Weight

Blood, meat, and bone weight differ across different deer. In addition, the net weight is highly interrelated to the age and gender of the bucks. For example, bucks are heavier than does for their meat and antler.

The ratio of the blood weight to meat weight to the bone weight of all deer is relatively almost constant. Therefore, the weight to meat ratio method is a very accurate means of deer weight estimation. Let us begin by defining the terms we will use.

Field Dressed Weight

The field-dressed weight is the weight of the harvested deer without the innards, that is:

• The heart.
• Lungs.
• Reproductive cavity.
• Kidneys.
• Intestines and the like.

When you are deer hunting, you may want to know the deer’s field dress weight. The field dress weight is actually 75-78% of the live weight of the deer at the time of harvest. 

So if a deer’s live weight is 200 lbs, the field dress weight will be around 150-156 lbs. If the deer’s live weight is 175 lbs, the field dress weight will be about 131-137 lbs.

Hanging Weight

The hanging weight is a further processed version of the field-dressed weight. The head, hide, some neck, and inedible leg portions are removed. To calculate the hanging weight of your harvested deer, simply divide the field dress weight by 1.33.

So if your harvested white-tailed deer field dress weight is 150 lbs, the hanging weight would be 150/1.33 = 113 lbs.

Edible Meat Weight

This is the hanging weight de-boned and fat portions removed. I will not concentrate on edible meat weight in the calculations. However, if you want to calculate the ideal boneless venison (meat) weight, divide the hanging weight by 1.35.

So if a deer’s live weight is 200 lbs, the ideal boneless weight of the meat would be

Field dress / Carcass weight = 200 x 75% =150

Hanging weight = 150/1.33 = 133 lbs

Ideal venison Weight = 113/1.35 = 84 lbs.

But if you want to calculate the realistic venison weight (with bone), simply multiply the boneless meat weight by 70%.

So when 200 lbs deer would have an 84 lbs edible meat weight, the realistic meat weight would be

Realistic Meat Weight = 84 x 70% = 59 lbs

This weight can vary greatly depending on how deer were shot and processed. For example, when the neck is well de-boned and innards, like the heart, included in the meat, edible meat weight shoots up. However, mistakes like poor shot placements can also greatly affect the final edible meat yield.

Live Weight

This weight is the weight of a living, breathing deer. It is the weight we target with the question, “How much do deer weigh?”

The weight varies across sexes, ages, environments, and deer species.

You will notice that whitetail deer weight charts differ from Elk weight charts. The difference is attributed to the fact that the two deer are of different species.

In environments, regions with enough food and sparsely populated deer produce heavy deer. The availability of food, therefore, determines how much a deer weigh. Young fawns are also smaller and weigh less than adults. Finally, males are heavier than females of the same age.

Real Life Calculation Of Deer Meat To Weight Ratio

You can calculate the live weight of any deer by considering the field dress weight, hanging weight, or edible meat weight. So let’s do some math, shall we?

How To Calculate Live Weight Of Deer When You Only Have The Weight Of Field Dress Of a Deer

Suppose you have a 100 Lbs field-dressed deer carcass which belongs to a 126 Lbs deer.

The calculation is as follows:

Formula: Live Weight= Field Dressed Weight x 1.26

Live Weight = 100 Lbs x 1.26

Live Weight = 126 Lbs.

How To Calculate Live Weight Of Deer When You Have The Hanging Weight Of A Deer

Formula: Live Weight = Hanging Weight x 1.68

Let me walk you through how this formula came about.

We know, Live Weight = Field Dressed Weight x 1.26

Also Field Dressed Weight= Hanging Weight x 1.33

Therefore,

Live Weight= (Hanging Weight) x (1.33) x (1.26) (Because Hanging Weight x 1.33= Field Dressed Weight)

Live Weight = Hanging Weight x 1.68 (1.33 x 1.26= 1.6758, rounded off to two decimal places 1.68)

Now suppose If the Hanging Weight of a carcass is 100 Lbs, the live weight of the deer is approximately 168 Lbs.

The calculation is as follows:

Live Weight = 100 Lbs x 1.68

Live Weight = 168 Lbs.

How To Calculate Live Weight Of Deer When You Have The Edible Meat Weight Of A Deer

Before I delve into this ratio, let me explain why you should be careful with this calculation. Edible meat from a deer is affected by too many factors. 

Imagine two exactly similar deer. In fact, let the two animals be perfect mirror images of each other. Suppose the two deer are harvested and processed by different people. In that case, chances are that they will yield different amounts of edible meat.

This wide allowance for variation is why I am reluctant to add this ratio to my deer weight calculator. Admittedly, it is not the best estimation technique for finding the deer weight. Still, then again, it is more accurate than the chest-girth method.

We know, Hanging Weight = Edible Meat Weight x 1.35 (Assuming good shot placement, processing, and deboning)

So, Live Weight = Hanging Weight x 1.68

Therefore,

Live Weight = Edible Meat Weight x 1.35 x 1.68 (Since Edible Meat Weight x 1.35 = Hanging Weight)

Live Weight = Edible Meat Weight x 2.26 ( 1.35 x 1.68 = 2.268 Rounded to two decimal places =2.27)

Now suppose you have 50 lbs of edible meat from a buck, and you wonder how much that buck weighed when it was alive; here is how to find out.

Formula: Live Weight = Edible Meat Weight x 2.27

Live Weight = 50 x 2.27

Live Weight = 113.5 Lbs.

That translates to meat yield being about 44% of the Live Weight, which is very accurate. I have weighed freshly harvested deer and weighed the meat yielded. 44% give or take 1% in the very extreme is usually true.

Why Different Deer Have Different Body Masses

You may think that all deer have the same body mass, but that’s not always the case. For instance, if we consider whitetail species, bucks can weigh an average of anywhere from 68 to 136 kg (150 to 300 lb), while mature bucks can weigh up to 180kg (400 lb). On the other hand, does can weigh anywhere from 30 to 100 kg (66 to 220 lb).

The above variation is only based on gender. Still, other factors can contribute to variations in weight, such as Skeleton, skin, blood, Meat, and Fat. Another thing to consider is that shot placement, processing, and even how the deer was field-dressed can affect the weight of a buck.

Blood:

Both buck and doe have about one ounce of blood for each pound of body weight. This means a 200-pound buck would have about 6.25 quarts (5.9 liters) of blood. Which is almost 5% of their total body weight.

More precisely, except for the blood, the buck’s weight is 190 lbs. On the other hand, an average 100 lbs female deer would be 95 lbs without calculating the blood.

Skin:

When it comes to skin, we found that an average mature buck comprises 9% of his total body weight while an average mature doe comprises 8% of her entire body weight. Here you can see the difference in density between a buck’s skin and a doe’s skin. So, the difference in weight also depends on the thickness of their skin.

Bone:

In mature bucks, bone accounts for about 12% of their total body weight. Interestingly, female deer bones account for more than bucks for about 13% of their total body weight. So, bone is another crucial factor determining the difference between a buck and a doe’s weight.

Meat and Fat:

When it comes to meat and fat, we found that both mature buck and doe have a similar percentage of their total body weight made up of meat and fat. Which is approximately 48.52%.

Where The Shot Placed:

Shot placement is another important variable that affects the weight of a buck. For example, if you shot a 170-kg (380 lb) buck in his heart area, where most of his vital internal organs are located. And if you processed him correctly, his meat yield would be about 68 kg (150 lb). On the other hand, if you shot him in the hindquarters meat areas, the meat yield would be much lower at around 50 kg (110 lb).

How Well and Quick The Field Dress Done:

If you do not field dress the deer at the right time, there is a high chance of exposure to bacteria which can make the meat spoil. In this condition, the meat becomes icky, sour, and slimy. This is why the quick field dressing of a deer is essential. If you do it quickly, the chances of spoilage are significantly reduced.

Conclusion

Deer hunting is one of the most popular activities in many parts of the world, but there is a lot of uncertainty surrounding it. By understanding the weight range and average weights of different deer species, hunters can better plan their hunts and avoid wasting meat. Moreover, knowing the weights of different types of deer hunters need to account for, helps them to make informed decisions about what to bring home. Do you have any comments or additional information about deer hunting that you would like to share? Please let us know in the comments below!