Age This Jaw Bone (graphic)

[dbHunterNY]

So what do you think the age is for this deer? It's a doe in Rensselaer county. I've already made my educated guess.

[steve863]

All I know is that this deer has a nicer set of teeth than I've seen on some hunters. LOL

 

 

 

[rotorooter23]

hard to tell how may cusps on the Molars... plenty of dentyne however... educated guess for me is 4 years or older... pretty wore down

Edited October 20, 2014 by rotorooter23

[NFA-ADK]

Looks pretty worn.  I am guessing around 6.5

[WNYBuckHunter]

Unless it was chewing on rocks I'd say 4, maybe older. Hard to tell very accurately past 4.

[BizCT]

I will guess 4-5. I would think by 6-7 it would have no teeth

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[Lawdwaz]

I will guess 4-5. I would think by 6-7 it would have no teeth

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No, they'd still have teeth.

[RangerClay]

First crest is starting to go bad.  I'd say 4.5- or 5.5 Dan.

[Lawdwaz]

http://www.npwrc.usgs.gov/resource/mammals/deerteth/ages.htm

 

This link looks like a winner.  Trust me.............

[Lawdwaz]

She's an old one.  At the VERY least, take that jaw to a DEC regional office and let them take a peek at it.

 

Hell, you're paying their salary.   

[dbHunterNY]

She's an old one. At the VERY least, take that jaw to a DEC regional office and let them take a peek at it.

Hell, you're paying their salary.

I harvested her on the hoosick area QDM co-op so the jaw bone is saved and tagged so biologists will see it eventually.

[Lawdwaz]

I harvested her on the hoosick area QDM co-op so the jaw bone is saved and tagged so biologists will see it eventually.

 

Just try and make sure you get the results from them, preferably in person.  Or.........an email addy of a biologist.

[NFA-ADK]

What is your estimate?

I harvested her on the hoosick area QDM co-op so the jaw bone is saved and tagged so biologists will see it eventually.

 

[dbHunterNY]

Well my guess is definitely over 4.5. Multiple signs with staining, dentine width, molar and premolars wear. The first molar being the oldest tooth I'm not sure has enough wear for 6.5. However we're at the threshold of expected accuracy at 5.5+. So I'm thinking 5.5+ is good enough. I'll post more of these examples with what I think and biologist results when I can. I think it's a great tool for the educated hunter.

[BizCT]

No, they'd still have teeth.

Does the same go for Mule Deer? The one my dad shot this year had zero teeth left. Figured he was 6.5 or 7.5, maybe he was even older then?

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[WesternNY]

I would say 5.5

[Terry]

I would say 5.5

My humble guess as well

[nyantler]

hard to tell how may cusps on the Molars... plenty of dentyne however... educated guess for me is 4 years or older... pretty wore down

+1

[dbHunterNY]

hard to tell how may cusps on the Molars... plenty of dentyne however... educated guess for me is 4 years or older... pretty wore down

 

 

+1

 

not sure I follow.  how is it hard to see how many cusps on molars?  number of cusps on molars never changes.  I'm thinking you mean from the side profile each cusp or pretty much the whole tooth isn't very tall and very shallow from wear?

[Lawdwaz]

Does the same go for Mule Deer? The one my dad shot this year had zero teeth left. Figured he was 6.5 or 7.5, maybe he was even older then?

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Yes sir...........

 

http://www.monstermuleys.com/cgi-bin/stories/site99.pl?page=art-age&tem=art1

 

Honestly Biz, I would guess that you guys didn't pry the jaw open near enough to see the important teeth in back.  It can be VERY difficult to crank that jaw open after they have been dead for a bit.  Biologists use a pretty impressive tool that can persuade the decedent into opening wide.

 

Trust me.................................................

[BizCT]

I wish I could took a pic. Didn't think it was a big deal at the time. They were shocked it had no teeth too. After caping it out they cut out the jaw and couldn't find anything. I know it was an old buck but maybe it had dental issues as well then?

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[dbHunterNY]

yea i use a jaw bone removal tool for keeping the jaw open more than actually separating the jaw bone and yanking it free.  another good resource is the national deer alliance

http://www.nationaldeeralliance.com/
 

[Lawdwaz]

I wish I could took a pic. Didn't think it was a big deal at the time. They were shocked it had no teeth too. After caping it out they cut out the jaw and couldn't find anything. I know it was an old buck but maybe it had dental issues as well then?

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They need teeth to live. 

 

Did your father shoot a handicapped deer?  I certainly hope not............................

[BizCT]

No clue. Maybe a health defect? Funny thing is, he shot him while he was feeding

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[dbHunterNY]

deer can have broken teeth or health issues sure.  there's usually at least something there.  like what was said the deer needs to have something there for premolars or molars to chew its food.  when some teeth are broken it's important to realize they're broken and focus on other teeth.  my uncle has a jaw bone from a 2.5 yr old that had hardly anything for a second and third molar on one side.