Cementum annuli Aging

[Panhandlin Pat]

Curious if any of yall have ever done this. If so I'd like some feedback on what yall thought, and a suggestion for a lab. Killed a neat mule deer by the house and was really curious on how old he actually is!

 

[CaptDru]

I used to do it back when I was guiding in the King ranch back in '03-'06. We used to skin the lower jaw back and with some tree loppers, cut the front incisors off, tag them and ship them to the lab. I don't remember the lab we would send them to. This is the most accurate way to determine the age of the deer.

 

[Panhandlin Pat]

The state (Texas) sends us envelopes to send in pronghorn teeth with every tag. I've yet to get data back on it and they didn't tell me what lab it goes to or if it was publicly available.

 

[Panhandlin Pat]

I used to do it back when I was guiding in the King ranch back in '03-'06. We used to skin the lower jaw back and with some tree loppers, cut the front incisors off, tag them and ship them to the lab. I don't remember the lab we would send them to. This is the most accurate way to determine the age of the deer.

Were yall happy with the results?

 

[CaptDru]

We were. We were able to compare what we aged on the hoof, back teeth wear vs the lab results. Some of those results were pretty surprising.

 

[Panhandlin Pat]

That's what I was hoping to hear!

 

[CaptDru]

Here are two labs that my friend said he has used.

Whitetail Deer Aging • Experts in Cementum Annuli Forensic Aging

Experts in Whitetail Deer Aging and other game! We offer premium aging packages to ensure you get the most accurate age for your whitetail.

deerage.com

Matson's Laboratory - The Deer Aging Authority

How old is your deer? We specialize in aging deer, and other game, using cementum age analysis. Age your deer teeth with the experts!

matsonslab.com

 

[OG10]

@CaptDru beat me to it.

 

[mark slavinski]

I use deerage.com and have no complaints. Started in 2018 when I shot a 163 inch buck. Everyone was looking at the jaw and telling me it was a 31/2 yr old by the teeth wear. I sent it in and it came back 51/2 yrs old. I have done it for every buck since, it is fun to take a guess then see what they really are! This years buck was a 125" ten point and I'm really curious what he will come back…. I'm thinking 31/2 buy now I'll know in about a month…

 

[Panhandlin Pat]

Thanks for the input! I plan to get these teeth sent to them soon. Life keeps getting in the way.