How Old is My Deer?
Text by William Jensen
Photos by Craig Bihrle
Game and Fish biologists sometimes run deer checking stations to
gather information from hunters about harvested animals. One of the most common questions
from hunters is: How old is my deer?
If you've ever brought your deer to a field check station, a
biologist probably aged it for you by looking at its teeth, and told you some basic things
about how they did it. But you probably still had questions about how the deer's age was
determined, and wondered if you couldn't do it yourself. This guide will help successful
hunters estimate the age of either mule deer or whitetails.
Special thanks to William Jensen, biologist with the North Dakota
State Game and Fish Department of natural resources division and Lori Suprock, bioligist
with Rhode Island Department of Fish and Game. |
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