An Age example: I killed a Black Bear that was aged by cross sectioning a tooth at 28.5 years old. The skull scored 20 13/16. Even though it was a solid P&Y Bear it didn't make B&C.

Had it not at least been P&Y I would have been disappointed even if they aged it at 35.5 years old. Bears are hard for me to judge. I was glad it was the biggest Bear I hadkilled to date because I knew in my mind he sure looked to be the biggest.

Dan

Fran thx for the dolls, now go kill some Varmits

I base age on antler size (to be more spacific antler mass ) And body composition. My taxidermist always puts a tag on the antlers with a bunch of info on it. One of the things he puts on the tag is the deers age. I have had 4 mounted by him. they were aged at 4 1/2, 4 1/2, 5 1/5, 7 1/2. I guessed right on the 4's and 5. The 7 1/2 I guessed he was at least 6 1/2. In the area I hunt the deer seem to develope in a fairly typical manner.3 1/2's might havenice tine length and width but lack the mass.So they are easyto tell apart from 4 1/2. At 5 1/2 they seem to be the whole package but are usually fairly clean yet. After that it can get hard to age them correctly. The same goes for aging by body. The 4 1/2's are solid but still don't show the signs of and older body. The 5's start to show those huge front shoulders. They make the ass look small. and their belly's seem to dip a little more. The deer older then that look old. they may even show signs of a downward trend. Taken as a whole package I have been able to judge age fairly close. I don't know if this is typical of other areas because I have no experience besides Wis. and Minn. Also deer in northern Minn. will outweigh their northern Wis counterparts. I will agree with you that it is a guess. All deer are not the same. I also believe that aging by tooth wear is a guess. I will also agree that scoring a rack on the hoof is very hard to do. I had an earlier thread where I told people to go to a deer show and quick score the deer on the wall then check the actual score. It's tough to do. When I'm hunting and see a buck I just look at it and decide if I think it's something I want to shoot. If I like what I see I shoot. My 130" benchmark is just a number that fits the size of rack that I would be happy to end my season on. Also where I hunt a deer has to be 4 1/2 to get that size of rack. I believe it's due to the available feed.
For the record: I believe that hunting is a personal activity. We all have our own reasons and goals and expectations. Everyone should shoot whatever makes them happy whatever the rack size or age or sex. If what makes a hunterhappy isn't currently available in his/her area don't "discuss" it on a forum, take action.

Hey Mag....

Your minions would tell you (well...they tell ME....lol) you're full of **** and so's your taxidermist.

Other than basing an inordinate (IMO) amount of importanceRE: your aging criteria on antlers.....I think you know your deer iin your woods better than anyone else (ESPECIALLY anyone in here....who doesn't hunt your woods).

That's a lot of mature deer. Congrats.

While I agree that aging deer by tooth wear is a fairly accurate guess, it also varies by region and food source.

With that said, how did your taxidermist age your deer? Tooth wear, would be my guess.....

Thats why I believe aging by teeth is not exact. For instance deer in sand country will wear down their teeth quicker.

I never asked how he aged them. I would believe that he goes by the teeth. I don't even know of any other way that they do it.

WOW, somebody is having a bad day!

Then I suggest you read it again. I agreed with everything you said.

Have a good weekend.

happy 4th to you and your family!

Fran

The big rack bucksfear you and hide because you arethe King. They bury their big sheds so you don't find them... well thator the toothy fairy really doesbeams down and scoops them up as mentioned. [8D]

Seriously... I onlypostedin hopes ofa chance of winningaBarbie!!

Tim