Need help with teeth aging this deer

[gator255]

What do you age this deer at?

Sent from my SM-N975U using Tapatalk

[DeerGeek]

2.5-3.5 middle aged

[Southern Horns]

Yup I say 3.5 max

[Mexico]

Young 2.5 yr old per teeth

[Jamesl]

3.5 depending on diet.

[Top Of Texas]

3 year old

The first molar (tooth 4) has dentine (the dark stuff between the ridges) that is as wide or wider than the enamel (white stuff) that surrounds it. The second molar (tooth 5) has dentine that is not as wide or wider than the enamel that surrounds it. Thus 3 year old.

The ridges that you look at are on the tongue side of the jaw, not the cheek side. So it's those taller ridges.

It would seem that the teeth wear from the front to the back, but that's only true at face value. Actually the molars are older from the front to the back. Tooth #4 (the first molar) is the oldest tooth in the deer's mouth. Teeth #5 and #6 erupt at ages 1 and 2, respectively.

Teeth at the front, numbers 1, 2, and 3 (premolars), are "baby teeth" until about 2 years of age when they are replaced with permanent teeth. These 3 premolars are not used for aging once the deer exceeds 1.5 years.

There is currently no scientifically based research that supports tooth wear is variable depending on soil type, region, diet, supplemental feed, etc. Those are often postulated as having influence on tooth wear but have yet to be tested.

While we know the tooth wear technique can miss the exact age of a deer, it still has management implications. For example, we can safely say that the jaw in the photo, if from a buck, was at an age where peak antler growth had not been achieved.

One of the big problems is when people attempt to apply the technique beyond its limitations. Kicking people off a lease, especially when the individual doing the aging doesn't have a clear grasp of the technique. Rather it should be used to educate and improve field aging abilities.

[mcbZX225]

^^^^^^ This guy is on it!! Great post.

[RMW]

2 maybe 3

[gator255]

3 year old



The first molar (tooth 4) has dentine (the dark stuff between the ridges) that is as wide or wider than the enamel (white stuff) that surrounds it. The second molar (tooth 5) has dentine that is not as wide or wider than the enamel that surrounds it. Thus 3 year old.



The ridges that you look at are on the tongue side of the jaw, not the cheek side. So it's those taller ridges.



It would seem that the teeth wear from the front to the back, but that's only true at face value. Actually the molars are older from the front to the back. Tooth #4 (the first molar) is the oldest tooth in the deer's mouth. Teeth #5 and #6 erupt at ages 1 and 2, respectively.



Teeth at the front, numbers 1, 2, and 3 (premolars), are "baby teeth" until about 2 years of age when they are replaced with permanent teeth. These 3 premolars are not used for aging once the deer exceeds 1.5 years.



There is currently no scientifically based research that supports tooth wear is variable depending on soil type, region, diet, supplemental feed, etc. Those are often postulated as having influence on tooth wear but have yet to be tested.



While we know the tooth wear technique can miss the exact age of a deer, it still has management implications. For example, we can safely say that the jaw in the photo, if from a buck, was at an age where peak antler growth had not been achieved.



One of the big problems is when people attempt to apply the technique beyond its limitations. Kicking people off a lease, especially when the individual doing the aging doesn't have a clear grasp of the technique. Rather it should be used to educate and improve field aging abilities.

Thank you for all the information.

Sent from my SM-N975U using Tapatalk

[sako]

3.5