Please age this jawbone

[Truedouble]

Two biologists aged at 3 1/2. Net 157/ Gross 161 B&C

 

[TheLBLman]

3 1/2 or older.

 

[megalomaniac]

I'd go 4.5 on that one

 

[Andy S.]

What was the date the buck was killed?

 

[BSK]

Tweener: 3 1/2 - 4 1/2

 

[Andy S.]

Tweener: 3 1/2 - 4 1/2

What I was thinking, hence the reason for my question.

 

[TheLBLman]

Not that I doubt this buck COULD be 4 1/2,
am interested in hearing why you seem to believe that's more likely than I thought. Maybe I'm putting too much emphasis on the M-2 and M-3 dentine width? Enamel wider than dentine on M-2? Looks more like 3 1/2 to me.

What was the date the buck was killed?

And that was a very pertinent question.

 

[megalomaniac]

IMO, that's just a little too much wear on M1 to be only 3.5;

Also, there's SIGNIFICANT wear on M2, although it's just BARELY under the classic definition to meet 4.5 y/o criteria. If he was only 3.5, you'd expect the cusps on M2 to be almost as sharp as those of M3.

But honestly, if he's a January buck, I think it would be a coinflip between 3.5 and 4.5... if he's a bowseason kill, I'd feel even more confident he's 4.5

 

[TheLBLman]

... if he's a bowseason kill, I'd feel even more confident he's 4.5

I agree.
But if I'd been a TWRA check-station deer ager, my supervisor might have reprimanded me for calling that one anything other than a 3 1/2.

 

[Truedouble]

killed 12-26-07

 

[BSK]

killed 12-26-07

Then I'll go with 3 1/2.

Crests of 2nd molar are just too sharp to go with 4 1/2.

 

[102]

ABSOLUTELY RIDICULOUS! Go back and read this argument and you'll see how INSANE it is to fine someone 250.00 (at AMES) based on jawbone aging. And I would put MOST of you guys up against ANYONE I've ever met at ANY WMA check station I've ever been to.

Truth is, it looks to be the jawbone of a reasonably MATURE deer. DEFINITELY NOT a yearling or 2 year old. However, I would NOT bet my life on it being only 3.5. And, if given enough time, and care, could probably prove such.

102

 

[102]

WES SAID:
I agree.
But if I'd been a TWRA check-station deer ager, my supervisor might have reprimanded me for calling that one anything other than a 3 1/2.

You are SO RIGHT Wes, I once took a 4.5 year old doe (I had history with the deer) to the check station at a WMA. The area supervisor frowned when I told him how old I thought the deer was. He had no idea where the deer actually was killed. He took one look at the doe and pronounced it 1.5. It dressed 58 pounds. (it was VERY healthy)

This past season I took my son to my WMA spot and he killed a 4.5 year old doe while I videod. At the check station, independent biologists were working and ACCURATELY aged this doe. It dressed about the same and was aged at 4.5. There was no supervisor standing around.

102

 

[Truedouble]

thanks for the input.

 

[Andy S.]

killed 12-26-07

Thanks. With that knowledge, I also would have aged him at 3.5.

 

[pass-thru]

Really I think the point in the season that a deer was killed loses much weight and relevance with deer aged 3 and older.

 

[pass-thru]

4.5