longrifle1000

Here are a couple pics.







It is possible it is 3 1/2. But it didn't look like enough wear on the crests. That is why I thought 2 1/2.

If you find out for sure, let us know.

longrifle1000

Ok, I was looking at the lower pic of the two. When I went back, and looked at the top of the two, it looks more like 3 1/2.So, I'm not positive either way. Good luck.

Steve F.in MD

Not more than 3.5! Good deer no matter how old he is.

AJ52

I was looking at a laminated color/grey scale chart for aging.
It really shows some good detail along with pics on how to cut jaw out,
dentine line,premolars,molars,wear patterns etc..etc...It also makes some good comparisons from fawn to 6.5 yrs.Pretty neat tool for use in the filed.

I got the chart from QDMA when I joined/subscribed some yrs ago.I had a very large Doe aged by a Fish and Game Bio last year at 3.5yrs.I then pulled out this aging chart and asked him to show me how he aged according to chart.He examined chart for few minutes and then admitted he made a mistake and deer should be 2.5 and explained why. Hummm - so the deer might be 2.5 or 3.5.

It would be nice if this jaw was aged by an expert just to see how we all did on the aging estimate??

one on one

2 1/2 to 3 1/2, congrat, nice one

rgarza

The experts will be no better, they'll just be more definitive making a call. Everyone here has a done a good, careful job. It can be hard to tell the difference sometimes. I've been checked out on dozens of jawbones by my wildlife biologist before he would allow me to do them solo. I had to go over 2 years worth of harvested jawbones.

This buck is probably 2.5, but the pictures hide some of the detail on the dentine. In addition, it would be nice to feel the cusp on the last molar to feel for concavity vs. sharpness.

Another great tool available on the QDMA online store and elsewhere is at http://www.deeragingtool.com

This tool, in addition to the charts you mentioned can really help.

kevster10p

id say 2.5 but just imagine his siz at 5.5

mellon9999

Thanks for all the input. I will try to have this deer aged in person by a pro some day and let you all know.

I am doing a skull mount on this deer ...for the person who was wondering. I have a colony of dermestid beetles. I may regret not having a full mount done some day...but I really like the skull mounts.

Here is a little better picture of him. I am sure every time I look at his rack on the wall I will wonder what he would have been at 5.5 years!

zrexpilot

Im gonna say at least 3 1/2 but more like 4 1/2.
The teeth is a good aid but not the only one, the body of a deer along with the teeth are more accurate. that body is no 2 1/2 year old. The wrinkles on his ear show age. His head shape also tells me he is older than 2 1/2 . that neck is no 2 1/2 either. His legs are thick also. Im gonna stick with him being 4 1/2 yrs old.
I also kinda of dissagree with those links. that 5 1/2 is more between 7 and 9 years old. They are also showing to much wear within a year.I dont believe it's that drastic. but hey thats just my opinion.

jimmy the foot

nice 2 1/2 year old. to bad he didn't last till next season. i hear deer tend to climb to there max at around 3 years and peek at 6, but obviously it all depends on nutrition, genetics etc... still nice job


THE FOOT