life span of a deer
12-13-2002, 09:35 PM
#4
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: CWD Central, WI.
Posts: 2,062
RE: life span of a deer
I just had an old doe I shot aged by the WI. DNR. They said she was between 9 and 12. I checked on her CWD status at their website and she was listed there as 11. Looking at tooth wear and dentine is a close guess at best. I believe since she appeared so old they were wanting to do a cross section of a tooth for a more accurate estimate. Least thats what I was told.
12-13-2002, 10:35 PM
#6
Typical Buck
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Grand Forks BC Canada
Posts: 760
RE: life span of a deer
Our game department used to request teeth so they could do cross-sectional aging on them (but they quit - I guess they found the program too useful).
However, while it was operating, I had 2 deer that aged at 9 1/2 and 10 1/2 years old. Just by looking at their teeth and other physical features before the official aging was done, it was easy to tell they were pretty old.
However, while it was operating, I had 2 deer that aged at 9 1/2 and 10 1/2 years old. Just by looking at their teeth and other physical features before the official aging was done, it was easy to tell they were pretty old.
12-14-2002, 01:03 AM
#7
Giant Nontypical
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Saskatchewan Canada
Posts: 6,921
RE: life span of a deer
I have heard of does that were in the teens and even read a couple of stories about 20 year old does...I can't recall if they were wild though. I would guess 7-10 years, but so many things factor into the mix I would think pretty hard to get an accurate or ave. life span. I have shot deer that were 10 or approaching it. Last fall my buck was aged at 10 and this years buck was rough aged between 7-9.
Good thing new ones are born every year!!!
Good thing new ones are born every year!!!
