Age this jawbone..TN buck.

[Nealmeally]

I'll post pics of deer later. Deer was killed in southern TN. Hardwoods and ag field area.

 

[BSK]

2 1/2

 

[BigGameGuy]

2.5

 

[Nealmeally]

Here is the "2.5" year old TN buck... 163" gross.

 

[BSK]

Did you pull the jaw yourself from that deer? If so, that jaw is a prime example of how tooth-wear aging only gives accurate minimum ages.

 

[Nealmeally]

Did you pull the jaw yourself from that deer? If so, that jaw is a prime example of how tooth-wear aging only gives accurate minimum ages.

Yes it is the deer's jawbone. And judging from his body and encounters and trail camera pics from previous years the deer was older than 2.5 for sure. Perfect example why I've never been a believer in aging by tooth wear.

 

[easy45]

Wow, thats hard to believe, I said 2.5 without hesitation

 

[catman529]

Dentine looks wider than enamel on tooth 4, I'd guess 3.5

 

[BSK]

Did you pull the jaw yourself from that deer? If so, that jaw is a prime example of how tooth-wear aging only gives accurate minimum ages.

Yes it is the deer's jawbone.

Did you pull the jawbone yourself?

And judging from his body and encounters and trail camera pics from previous years the deer was older than 2.5 for sure. Perfect example why I've never been a believer in aging by tooth wear.

I don't for a second believe the pictured buck is 2 1/2. However, toothwear is the only standardized method of aging, and I've yet to see a better method with a higher scientifically tested accuracy level. That said, toothwear has its flaws. Again, it is only a great minimum aging system, and it is known that as deer get older, toothwear has an increasing chance of under-aging the deer. In fact, by maturity, toothwear will almost always under-age the deer.

 

[BSK]

Wow, thats hard to believe, I said 2.5 without hesitation

CLASSIC toothwear for aging at 2 1/2. But toothwear is not a perfect system for aging.

 

[Nealmeally]

BSK, no I didn't personally pull the jawbone but my partner that killed him was standing there when it was pulled and it has been in his possession since. Every single peron that has looked at the teeth has said 2.5 mostly, a few said 3.5. We pretty sure the deer was at the least a 4.5 year old. Don't get me wrong there are some better than average deer for their age on this ground. But we know this wasn't this buck's second set of antlers and thats a fact.

 

[BSK]

Nealymeally,

I don't believe for a second that that buck is 2 1/2! He's obviously 3 or more years old. Again, just proof the toothwear aging method isn't perfect. But it is the best we have.

The reason I asked about who pulled the jawbone is the problem I see over and over of hunters getting the jawbone back from their taxidermist. No offense to any taxidermists on here, but I sure have seen some jawbones handed back that did not come from the buck brought in.

 

[Nealmeally]

Nealymeally,

I don't believe for a second that that buck is 2 1/2! He's obviously 3 or more years old. Again, just proof the toothwear aging method isn't perfect. But it is the best we have.

The reason I asked about who pulled the jawbone is the problem I see over and over of hunters getting the jawbone back from their taxidermist. No offense to any taxidermists on here, but I sure have seen some jawbones handed back that did not come from the buck brought in.

Had it happen to me. Thing is I never got my jawbone on my biggest and probably oldest buck, that we knew was 5.5+. Just wanted to see what the teeth looked like. I knew that's the point you were getting at. Thanks

 

[JCDEERMAN]

If he is a 2 1/2, what potential he had! Great deer regardless, man!

I think this happens more often than most people think. When I killed my deer this year, the taxidermist called me a week later and told me my jawbones were ready. Ok, so I go and pick them up, post the pics on here, and it was concluded on here that he was a 3 1/2, which was mostly consistent with the other 3 1/2's we have killed on our property over the years, as well as some 4 1/2's. Here's the kicker....when I went to pick the head up several weeks ago, he said "here are your jawbones. They had a note on there to save the jawbones." ......I thought huh??? You already gave them to me???? Nonetheless, I think this is common. I still need to post the new jawbones on here to see what is said. You almost have to see it be done to know for sure. Sure is nice when you kill one at places like LBL and they do iron the spot!

 

[Bone Collector]

That is a KY yearling, what is wrong with you guys. Absolute proof positive the one buck limit is working.