Can you age this deer?

[vipermann7]

I found this skull in the woods today. I was wondering if any of you that are practiced at aging deer are able to age this deer by looking at the teeth pictures, I included several of them. From my limited knowlede it appears to be a fairly young deer to me, being that the teeth are still quite pointed, but beyond that, I don't know how to age a deer by teeth. He is a nice a deer, it's too bad no one got to harvest him. But, the scavengers ate well!

[scottflesher]

2.5 I'd say. While I'm no expert at dental aging, i've heard those who are say that you should look at the wear on the back teeth (molars). That's the strong teeth that get the most wear, especially when they're eating firm corn or acorns. These teeth also grind together when they are chewing up plants and browse.
Based on the limited wear of the back teeth, i'd say he was 2.5.

[SwampLife]

I forgot the process on counting molars, judging just by wear I would say 2.5. Merely a guess.

[Gulfcapt]

Goggle Wildlife analytical laboratories, You will be surprised of what they say on aging deer ,and whats involved in ageing one!

[paulie]

http://www.npwrc.usgs.gov/resource/mamm ... h/ages.htm

[Gulfcapt]

lol one contridicts the other lol lets see! I got it flip a coin?

ORIGINAL: paulie

http://www.npwrc.usgs.gov/resource/mamm ... h/ages.htm

[vipermann7]

What? Something found on the internet contradicts something else on the internet? My world just doesn't make sense any more. . .


Thanks for the replies. My guess was 2 1/2, but I don't really know how to do it, so I wanted to throw it out there to the rest of ya.

[bowman12]

I think the deer is older than 2 1/2. I included a photo of my tooth molding, take a look.

I looked at my tooth wear moldings and you found a 4 1/2 or 5 1/2 year old buck. If you focus on the first and last tooth you'll see a 3 1/2 year old buck doesn't have any wear, your's has significant wear, and looking at the back tooth you have significant wear again and at 3 1/2 year old it's minimum.

When using these moldings you need to focus on the brown on the molding matching it with the brownish inner core of the tooth, it's called the dentine.

It's not an exact science but I'd put your buck at either 4 1/2 or 5 1/2.

[vipermann7]

Thanks bowman, much appreciated.