Age of deer?

[jarr77]

Does anybody know where I can send the jaw of my deer to find at his age? He has got a decent rack but hardly any teeth.Just curious! Thanks

[twofeathers]

You should be able to have most any warden age the jaw. If not and you live close to a university call there and ask.

[Grant]

Most taxidermists can tell you as well.

[150PandY]

You can send it to KDFWR and they will age it and enter your name in a drawing for a gun or bow. It takes a little while to get the age back.

[Turkeyhunter5]

my moms b/f buck didnt have any top teeth at all. wiered. he was about a 4 yrd buck

[woodsnwater]

I have a sheet with dental age characteristics. If you would like it, give me your email and I'll send it to you. If it doesn't help, send me a good picture of the jaw and I would be glad to age it for you. Just a note, if the crests are worn flat on all the teeth, it is probably 6 1/2+ years.

[Feedman]

Turkeyhunter 5,
I once had a cow that did not have any upper teeth either?????????

[boonectyhunter5618]

buddy of mine shot a 6 pointer tuesday night with a sever over-bite?? yea thats what i said an over-bite. what causes this???

[k-man]

Try this website for pictures and instructions on aging a deer by tooth wear.
http://wideworldofhunting.com/whitetailageing.htm

[Old Oak]

Six Months:
The nose or muzzle of the deer appears short or stubby, when compared to older deer. The central two incisors may still be erupting. Incisors may appear twisted as they emerge through the gum. Generally, there are only four cheek teeth showing. The third premolar has three cusps.
http://www.npwrc.usgs.gov/resource/mammals/deerteth/sixmonth.jpg

1-1/2 Years:
All permanent front teeth are in. Six cheek teeth are visible in the lower jaw. The third premolar may still have three cusps, or the permanent third premolar may now be in (two cusps). Third molar may still be erupting through the gum. Lingual crest of molars have sharp points.Inset: Extremely worn third premolar may fool people into thinking deer is older. Actually, this tooth is lost after 1-1/2; years and replaced with a permanent two-cusped premolar.
http://www.npwrc.usgs.gov/resource/mammals/deerteth/one.jpg
http://www.npwrc.usgs.gov/resource/mammals/deerteth/oneinset.jpg

2-1/2; Years:
All permanent premolars and molars are in place. Look closely at the fourth cheek tooth (first molar). The cusps are sharp and show little or no wear; enamel (white portion) of the lingual crest shows well above the dentine (brown portion). The enamel portion of the cusp is wider than the dentine. Some wear on third cusp of sixth cheek tooth (third molar).
http://www.npwrc.usgs.gov/resource/mammals/deerteth/two.jpg

[Old Oak]

3-1/2; Years:
Lingual crests of cheek teeth show some wear and cusps are starting to become blunt. Dentine now thicker than enamel on cusp of fourth cheek tooth (first molar). Dentine of fifth cheek tooth (second molar) usually not as wide as enamel. Last cusp of sixth cheek tooth is flattened.
http://www.npwrc.usgs.gov/resource/mammals/deerteth/three.jpg


4-1/2; Years:
Lingual crest of fourth cheek tooth (first molar) is gone. Crest of cusps on fifth and sixth cheek teeth (second and third molar) are blunt. Dentine of fourth cheek tooth now twice as wide as enamel. Dentine of fifth cheek tooth wider than enamel.
http://www.npwrc.usgs.gov/resource/mammals/deerteth/four.jpg

5-1/2; Years and Older:
In most hunted deer populations, less than two percent of the animals are more than five years of age. Accurately aging these deer by tooth wear is usually more of a guessing game than a science. In general, deer close to 5-1/2; years of age will show considerable wear on the premolars, and the first cusp of the fourth cheek tooth (first molar) will be dished out or show signs of "cupping."
http://www.npwrc.usgs.gov/resource/mammals/deerteth/five.jpg

9-1/2; Years:
By 9-1/2; years, all cheek teeth are cupped and worn nearly to the gum line
http://www.npwrc.usgs.gov/resource/mammals/deerteth/nine.jpg