What do you guys think on this jawbone age? I am torn between 3.5 and 4.5 but leaning towards 4.5. This is a Western KY buck killed on 11/10 if that makes a difference.
Jawbone Age
- Thread starter TN Larry
- Start date
BSK
Well-Known Member
3 1/2.
I can see why you are torn. If you only gave me the left jawbone, I might would go 4.5, but if you only gave me the right jawbone, I'd say 3.5. I can only assure you he is 3.5 or older.
Andy S. said:
That is my thinking as well. That is why I am torn. I am definitely not an expert but learned a lot by studying examples on here plus comparing my results to the ones in the know when others post these threads on here. Also, since I am the hunter, I tend to want to be biased towards 4.5. :) I still lean towards 4.5 based on his overall body features although I only had about a second to size him up and pull the trigger. He was cruising in some thick stuff, and I had one opportunity to shoot him or let him walk.
I always remind myself and others that the tooth replacement and wear method (TRW) gives you an accurate minimum age, but it does not always give you an exact age. Congrats on your buck!
BSK
Well-Known Member
The 5th tooth (2nd molar) on the deer's left side does show some wear (suggesting 4 1/2). However, the lack of wear on the first 3 replaced milk teeth (premolars), in addition to the lack of wear on the 2nd cusp of the 6th tooth is why I went with 3 1/2 instead of 4 1/2. But 4 1/2 is certainly possible.
As Andy S pointed out, the tooth wear and replacement aging method gives great minimum ages only, and the older a deer actually is, the greater the chance that tooth-wear will underestimate its age.
As Andy S pointed out, the tooth wear and replacement aging method gives great minimum ages only, and the older a deer actually is, the greater the chance that tooth-wear will underestimate its age.
