To halfbaked and everyone else...

There's clearly a lot of methods circulating about aging deer using the wear-replacement method. I want to share with you guys a method that my boss has developed...all indications say it is very reliable. This method narrows it down to one tooth per age...

When aging it's best to start at 0 years and work your way up...saying this deer is AT LEAST 1.5, 2.5, etc.

Fawn: Anything that has less than 6 cheek teeth is a fawn.

At least 1.5: If a deer has 6 cheek teeth and a tri-cusped 3rd cheeck tooth (3rd pre-molar) than the deer is at least 1.5

At least 2.5: If the 3rd cheek tooth has 2 cusps that deer is at least 2.5.

At least 3.5: Now look at the 3rd cusp on the 6th cheek tooth (3rd molar). If the last cusp is flat and you can see dentine (brown color, enamel is white) then that deer is at least 3.5. If the 3rd cusp on the last cheek tooth is not flat, your deer is only 2.5.

Now it starts to get interesting.

At least 4.5: Look at the 4th cheek tooth. If the dentine is wider than the enamel all the was around the perimeter of the tooth then that deer is 4.5.

At least 5.5: Look at the 5th cheek tooth. If the dentine is wider than the enamel all the way around the perimeter of the tooth, then that deer is 5.5.

At least 6.5: Same deal as 4 and 5, this time look at the 6th cheek tooth.

*Note: Once you get into the 4+ age range it is usually best to start classifying them in 2-yr age groups (ex: That deer is 4.5-5.5, or that deer is 5.5-6.5). There's simply too much room for error at those ages....even experts disagree. Best thing to do at that point is remove an incisor and send it in for testing.

However, the method I just outline can be very reliable aging deer up to the 3-4 yr old age range. As you can see, you only have to look at one tooth per age.

An yes, halfbaked, the same principles apply for bucks as does.