I've been woundering like when theres a picture of a buck someone posted and you guys all seem to bee within a half year of each outher and I was just curiose how you guys do that.
I have heard that after you shoot one you take one of the teeth out and cut it in half and I guess they have rings like a tree in there teeth. Have any of you guys heard of that?
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Team 1
"The Last Gobble"
09 Returning Champs
The best and most accurate way to age a deer, would be to age its teeth. I've never heard of the rings in a tooth, like compared to a tree?!? But I guess it could be a possibility?!! I do know that here in Missouri, the Dept of Conservation has pulled teeth from many deer at the check-in stations and meat processors to determine the age and the health of the herd.
Personally, in the field I look for belly sag/lack of, chest width on a buck, tall hind legs compared to the front, and the longer snout on an older deer compared to a 1 1/2 year old or a button head. Antler size is too dependent on many other factors to use it exclusively. ie..food sources, genetics, health etc.
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"Treat others like it's your last day on earth!!"
I think alot of people judge in different ways. Personally, if the animal is alive, I judge by the belly and the size of it, older deers bellys hang lower. Another way by its back. Is its back completly parallel to the ground indicating a younger deer or does it have some curviture, indicating and older deer. The nose is another good one, is it long and narrow or seem to be bulkier and filled out more indicating an older deer. These are just a few of the things I've used. Using the teeth seems to be the most accurate, but you need to cut open the mouth and get a good look a the teeth. I personally have a plaque with a jaw from every deer from fawns to 6.5. Seems to be pretty accurate and thats how I judge the deer I harvest. Gives me a good idea of the age of the deer I harvest and lets me know if we have any older deer than what we are all assuming We've killed some Does that we all swore were 3.5 and turned out to be 1.5.
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There's a fine line between deer hunting and sitting there looking stupid.
If you can gut a deer and drink a beer, you're a friend of mine.
There is a lot of good info in the QDMA web site but mainly it takes practice just like anything else. Check out www.qdma.com for some good resources, it takes judging the body as well as characteristics of the deer, etc...,etc....
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TBH,
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"LUCK-is where opportunity meets preparation"
and "P.E.T.A. Sucks"
Personally, in the field I look for belly sag/lack of, chest width on a buck, tall hind legs compared to the front, and the longer snout on an older deer compared to a 1 1/2 year old or a button head. Antler size is too dependent on many other factors to use it exclusively. ie..food sources, genetics, health etc.
You dont cut the jaw in half. You remove the jaw and age it by tooth wear. There are charts available for purchase and on line to show how deer teeth wear, according to age. I have been doing it this way for land management reports for the timber company we lease from for about 18 years.
And yes, the paunch on a buck is another way to distinguish it as a 1-3 year old or a 4-7 year old. It is not exact, but it can get ya close.
Teeth / jaw aging is the most reliable method.....
Or you can try to age it like a tree..... cutthe deerin half , and countits rings....
Yeah that buck looks to be at least a 4 1/2 year old and possibly 5 1/2 year old
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08 Bowtech General
QAD Ultra-Rest HD Camo
HHA XL5519 Sight
Easton Axis ST N-Fused 400 Arrows
Octane 1 Piece Quiver
Octane 7" HD Green Stabilizer
2 Blade Rage Broadheads
How do you guys age the deer?
Be ready for a bad one!!!
