I need some help looking at these tooth pics to determine an age of my buck. I am new to this and would appreciate any help breaking down the pictures. I have my thoughts on how old the deer is based on the teeth when compared to this guide, but I will not say so as to not bias anyone...give me your thoughts: http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/publications/pwdpubs/media/pwd_bk_w7000_0755.pdf
Wow, it was working 10 minutes ago... Think I fixed it... http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/publications/pwdpubs/media/pwd_bk_w7000_0755.pdf
Going strictly by a pic by pic comparison, I would say yours matches up best with a 3.5 year old deer, cusp isn't sloped yet and the crests are not yet blunt or rounded... as in a 4.5.
Boy I messed up the title of this thread--I meant to say tooth aging...not tooth again! I am a moron.
even going by an aging guide it is nearly impossible to determine actual age due to the differences in soil composition around the country, for instance a deer taken from an area with a sandy soil type will have teeth that are more worn down due to grinding against the sand, whereas a deer of the same age from an area of clay soils will have much sharper teeth. the only two ages that can be observed by teeth without a doubt are .5 yr old and 1.5 yr old. but with that being said, i believe that the deer matches up best with a 2.5 year old deer due to the amount of staining, as well as the sharp edges along the teeth
My best guess is 3.5 also, doesn't look worn that much. I looked a a couple jaw bones from known 3.5's that I have in my basement...looks similar. Take it with you next time you hunt...see what the biologist says.
Mike, I am going to take it with me tomorrow when I head out to hunt. I will show the biologist. I am not hunting today, just spending time with the family.
I am going to call the deer a 3 1/2 yo, with the error being a 2 1/2, rather than a 4 1/2 if I am wrong. The teeth indicate more 3 1/2yo chracterstics than 2 1/2, although some 2 1/2 charactersitics are present as well. Characteristics of a 2 1/2yo The lingual (inside by rhe tongue)crests of the first molar are sharp, with the enamel rising well above the narrow dentine (the dark layer below the enamel) of the crest. Crests on the first molar are as sharp as those on the second and third molar. Wear on the posterior cusp of the third molar is slight, and the gum line is often not retracted enough to expose the full height of this cusp. Characteristics of a 3 1/2 yo The lingual crests (inside, next to tongue) of the first molar are blunted, and the dentine of the crests on this tooth is as wide or wider than the enamel. Compare it to the second molar. third dentine on the second molar is not wider than the enamel, which means this deer is probably 3 1/2 years old. Also, the posterior cusp of the third molar is flattened by wear, forming a definite concavity on the biting surface of the teeth. Let me know what your biologists determines.
I might as well be looking at a modern art painting when it comes to jawbone aging. I tried with my buck this year and have no clue at all.
I realize we are evaluating the age using teeth here...but this buck had a huge body in length and weight according to VS and that is not something that deer achieve at age 2 1/2. I think 3.5 yrs is the best guess all things considered.
Mike, I have been working on that dog gone skull for an hour and a half. I had my son using the needle nose pliars picking off the meat...hahahaha. I agree with most all of you...I believe he is a 3.5. On the flip side, my good buddy arrowed a beautiful 7-8 point last night. The biologist says she thinks the buck was 3.5. The buck weighed 90-95 lbs I believe field dressed. Both my friend and I believe my buck we picked up and placed on the hoist was at least 50-60 lbs bigger. He was even a good 10-12 inches longer when he was put on the hoist before we skinned him. I really wish I have better pics of his body. My friend took the body pics with his camera, but all the jpegs came out as tiny. I have no idea how to make them bigger while keeping the clarity of the pics.
Just looking at the teeth I would say 2.5. The enamel is pretty even with the dentine in all of the teeth and there is very little wear on the back cusp of the 6th tooth. It's difficult to tell by teeth alone unless you are very good at it which I am not. That's my guess based on what I've seen. Congrats on the buck too.:D
Without looking at your guide and everyone's post I guessed 3 & 1/2 years by the browning of the teeth. The guide I've used shows the age of deer by missing teeth. With this having all of its's teeth, my guide would say this is 1 1/2 yr old. I say not a chance with that wear and decay. After looking at your guide I'd say 3 & 1/2 again, but I didn't really look at it that well. I did however save the link for future reference. Thanks!
I am not arguing but rather trying to learn something, what is that you see that makes you think it could maybe be a 4 1/2 yo, based on the teeth?
