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Old 11-26-2008, 08:58 AM
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GregH
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Default RE: Aging deer (Jaw bone pics)

ORIGINAL: IAhuntr

Greg- From the limited knowledge I have on the subject I think you're a bit high in both cases. The first jaw I'd guess at 4.5. The second I guess at 5.5. Definately not enough tooth wear for 8.5.
Here's a couple links that may help. Keep in mind that soil types and food sources from different regions will affect tooth wear, but these are pretty accurate. I'd have your local wildlife biologist take a look.

http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/publications/pwdpubs/media/pwd_bk_w7000_0755.pdf

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

http://www.whitetails.com/deer_info/age_determination.cfm
I realize that the tooth wear doesn't look all that extreme in the pics, you have to see them in person. I have jaw bones from 2 1/2, 3 1/2, 4 1/2 and 5 1/2 year old deer that I used for comparrison also. As stated above, the area where these deer are from is not that hard on their teeth compared to other areas.

I saw both deer the year before I shot them, they were older than 4 1/2 and 5 1/2 when I saw them for the first time.
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