Post by: wastickslinger on October 31, 2010, 10:26:38 AM
Also how do you age a buck by his teeth. How old does he look. Or can you really tell?
Post by: rock on October 31, 2010, 10:41:23 AM
Post by: Huntbear on October 31, 2010, 10:47:45 AM
Post by: DOUBLELUNG on October 31, 2010, 11:01:56 AM
Based on what I see here, this guy is around 1/2 way through the useful life of his teeth (if nothing else kills them first, deer and elk starve to death when their teeth wear out). That useful life varies from 8-9 years in low elevation resident bucks in the sagebrush, to 13-14 years for mountain migratory bucks. Based on where you killed him, the latter applies.
I think Rock is spot-on, though I'd be less surprised if he was 6.5 than if 8.5; I would estimate he is most likely 6.5, next 7.5, and less likely to be 5.5 or 8.5 - but more likely to be 8.5 than 5.5. I'm highly confident in the no less than 5.5, no more than 8.5 range.
If you have the lower jaw, I would be pretty confident in estimating age +/- 1 year. To get closer than that, you'd have to send the two center front incisors to Mattson's lab in MT; it's worth the $40 or so to some guys to have the most precise estimate possible.
Post by: wastickslinger on October 31, 2010, 11:06:57 AM
Thanks for the help!
Post by: 509er on October 31, 2010, 11:14:42 AM
Post by: Austrian Hunter on October 31, 2010, 11:23:31 AM
Post by: CAMPMEAT on October 31, 2010, 06:11:04 PM
Post by: wastickslinger on October 31, 2010, 06:34:10 PM
Post by: IBspoiled on October 31, 2010, 07:08:42 PM
Post by: nchaput on October 31, 2010, 07:14:56 PM
Post by: rasbo on October 31, 2010, 07:46:56 PM
Post by: Boss .300 winmag on October 31, 2010, 07:53:54 PM
Post by: charlesbearden1 on October 31, 2010, 09:18:04 PM
Post by: boonerboy on October 31, 2010, 09:27:58 PM
I can give you a reasonable idea. Could refine it with top-down and profile shots of the lower jaw, better wear indicators than the uppers.Interesting, I would think that the higher elevation bucks would have a shorter lifespan than deer in the foothills. Why is that? More grass rather than tough sagebrush? never even thought about it.
Based on what I see here, this guy is around 1/2 way through the useful life of his teeth (if nothing else kills them first, deer and elk starve to death when their teeth wear out). That useful life varies from 8-9 years in low elevation resident bucks in the sagebrush, to 13-14 years for mountain migratory bucks. Based on where you killed him, the latter applies.
I think Rock is spot-on, though I'd be less surprised if he was 6.5 than if 8.5; I would estimate he is most likely 6.5, next 7.5, and less likely to be 5.5 or 8.5 - but more likely to be 8.5 than 5.5. I'm highly confident in the no less than 5.5, no more than 8.5 range.
If you have the lower jaw, I would be pretty confident in estimating age +/- 1 year. To get closer than that, you'd have to send the two center front incisors to Mattson's lab in MT; it's worth the $40 or so to some guys to have the most precise estimate possible.
Post by: MuleySniper on October 31, 2010, 09:49:00 PM
MS
Post by: sisu on October 31, 2010, 10:01:31 PM
Post by: DOUBLELUNG on November 01, 2010, 03:41:05 PM
You guessed right - teeth wear faster when the deer are on cured out forage for six months of the year instead of three. In addition, dust coats the forage much of the time in summer, adding grit that also wears teeth faster.I can give you a reasonable idea. Could refine it with top-down and profile shots of the lower jaw, better wear indicators than the uppers.Interesting, I would think that the higher elevation bucks would have a shorter lifespan than deer in the foothills. Why is that? More grass rather than tough sagebrush? never even thought about it.
Based on what I see here, this guy is around 1/2 way through the useful life of his teeth (if nothing else kills them first, deer and elk starve to death when their teeth wear out). That useful life varies from 8-9 years in low elevation resident bucks in the sagebrush, to 13-14 years for mountain migratory bucks. Based on where you killed him, the latter applies.
I think Rock is spot-on, though I'd be less surprised if he was 6.5 than if 8.5; I would estimate he is most likely 6.5, next 7.5, and less likely to be 5.5 or 8.5 - but more likely to be 8.5 than 5.5. I'm highly confident in the no less than 5.5, no more than 8.5 range.
If you have the lower jaw, I would be pretty confident in estimating age +/- 1 year. To get closer than that, you'd have to send the two center front incisors to Mattson's lab in MT; it's worth the $40 or so to some guys to have the most precise estimate possible.