aging deer
#1

I have tried to look on the Internet and learn how to age deer by looking at their teeth. I am having a hard time getting my head around it all. Does anyone have a very simple explanation as to what to look for? I can tell by looking at a buck whether he is mature or not, but have a harder time with does, and I would like to start doing a bit better of a job of aging deer and judging does specifically, as well a judging the actual age of a buck that I have harvested. Thanks for all explanations!
#2
Boone & Crockett
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Ponce de Leon Florida USA
Posts: 10,079

Thru reading articles in Deer and Deer Hunting and the Quality Deer Management magazines it seems to me that the tooth wear observation is not a guaranteed way to tell the age of a deer. They have done studies of tagged deer that were harvested years later and the results of tooth wear was inconclusive, at best. Most of the deer judged by tooth wear were very inclusive vs actual age. Cross sections of teeth with stain under a microscope is the better way.