Aging elk teeth.

Hazmat · Dec 21, 2007

Does anybody out there know how to age elk by their teeth?

I shot a nice bull this year and collected the teeth, but when I went to send the teeth in I couldn't find the envelope from the DWR. I went online and did the hunt survey but couldn't find info on where to send the teeth. Then I called the DWR only to get voicemail boxes. I left messages, but nobody called me back. I guess they got their survey, so they don't care beyond that.

Anyway, I believe my bull was pretty old, but I would like to know HOW OLD. His ivories were worn down to nubs. I tried to take photos of the teeth to post but I can't get the camera to focus close enough to give a decent photo. Any help you could give me would be appreciated. Thanks.

ClorideRUS · Dec 21, 2007

Haz ... do you really give a crap?? Dandy bull! Good job.

RUS

WARBIRDUM · Dec 21, 2007

LAST EDITED ON Dec-21-07 AT 08:42PM (MST)[p]LAST EDITED ON Dec-21-07 AT 08:22?PM (MST)

It may seem strange but bulls in Utah have started eating each other to survive with all the development going on lately there is not much winter range left even for man.I have heard rumor of big ol stinky bulls eating big ol cow elk and it wears ivory teeth down so low you cant even get a ring made anymore these days.JFKIDDING,
Hope Utah keeps it this way nubby teeth is a sure way to give a hunter a chance at a wallhanger,
Good bull Hazmat CONGRATS but dont worry about the teeth worry about how good your bull is going to look on your wall.
I do know a good elk biologist he can answer all your questions.
Ktc can tell you all about elk.HA HA

HiMtnHntr · Dec 21, 2007

LAST EDITED ON Dec-21-07 AT 08:14PM (MST)[p]If his ivories were worn down that much, I'd say he's pretty old. You'd have to have the equipment, like a microscope, to test the front teeth for an exact age. Beyond that, look at the molars on the lower jaw. If there are still points on the teeth, he aint that old. Down near the gumline, and you have yourself an older bull. Tooth wear is highly dependent on a range of variables, including what food they eat, the amount of dirt/sand that finds its way into the food, and the animals overall health. These things can accelerate wear. Just a wild guess judging from your pics and what you have described, I'd say your bull could be 9-10 years old. Again, the only way to get an exact age is to have the front teeth sliced and examined under a microscope. I've tried to have some aged with the CDOW here in CO, and my results have been the same as yours. Appears they just don't have the time.

ktc · Dec 21, 2007

LAST EDITED ON Dec-21-07 AT 08:20PM (MST)[p]WARBIRDUM,

What the hell you been drinkin'? ;-)

hazmat,

I did a search on the web last year and found a website (I believe it was a University in Montana?) that did a study on aging an elk ivory. Based on that study and their findings, my bull was 8+ years old. The DWR aged mine at 11. See if you can find that study on aging an elk by the ivories. Pretty interesting if nothing else. I believe it lays it out with pictures so you can be within a year up to 8 years old?

Edit; I agree. That is a scary big bull with some nasty 3rds. The age is nice to know, but you have what really matters, the big rack!

ktc · Dec 21, 2007

http://fwp.mt.gov/wildthings/brochure_elk.html

4x4elk · Dec 21, 2007

Post a picture of them and all the elk "PRO'S" here on MM can tell you with in a day or two of the month they were born!

out4elk · Dec 22, 2007

Does anybody know how long it takes for the DWR to post your age data in your harvest survey.

I sent my teeth in right after my hunt and the age still does not show up on my survey.

I know age isn't the biggie but I would like to know how old my bull was.

?Here?s to the hero's that Git-R-Done!!?

bearman · Dec 22, 2007

look at the side teeth put a ruler acrossed and how for down the center drops down is how old.

Hazmat · Dec 22, 2007

Thanks for all the info, guys. That Montana site is really cool. Looks like my bull for sure is 8 1/2 plus years old. I suspected he was probably 10+. A guide in the area told me that he had last year's sheds from my bull and they were bigger last year! He said his thirds curved out again and were significantly longer. So I think he was on his way down, but what a way down! Now if I didn't have to wait 30 years to draw again... Luckily for me, I know a couple of guys with max points who want a little help. Yee haw! Thanks again.

I'm not usually a hunchback. That thing was heavy!

Squirrel · Dec 23, 2007

Google matson's lab They age teeth for 10 bucks a pair. You need the bottom 2 center teeth. They cross section them with dye.

slamdunk · Dec 23, 2007

You can age a bull by the 4th tooth back, but you need other jaws that have been aged to compare them too. The ivory length doesn't really matter too much.

The F&G take the front two and do a cross cut sectioning and look at growth rings, very similar to a tree.

The outfitter i work for has jaws of bulls that have been cross cut and officially aged from ages 4 1/2 clear to 13 1/2 years old. We detatch the jaw and see what age class it resembles the closest to the sets of jaws we have for comparison.

There's THIS "PRO'S" .02 ;-)

Skull Krazy
"No Bones About It"