Aging Whitetail Deer At Various Stages

Aging a Yearling DeerYearling deer can be easily agedbase of the ears. Deer 2 1/2 years or younger
by examining the third tooth back on either side ofseldom have ear creases. But by 3 1/2 years the hair
the jaw. This tooth is called the third premolar. If thishas thickened and taken on at least one crease. A
tooth has three cusps, the deer is 1 1/2 years old. Iftwo crease deer is a mature animal and is usually
the third premolar has only two cusps, the deer is 1between 5 1/2 to 6 1/2 years old. If a deer has
year and seven months old or older.three creases at the base of the ears, it is likely
75% of deer harvested in the U.S. are yearling deer.about 7 1/2 years old give or take a year. If a deer
Telling the Age of a Whitetail Buckhas 4 ear creases, it is likely more than 8 years old.
In December of 1998, the Field and Stream magazineAlso, as a deer ages, hair thickens in the ear slot.
had an article that I found interesting about aFinally, an older deer's ears tend to be more curled in
method for aging deer in the field. Here is my shortand tired in appearance while a younger deer's ears
version;will be flatter and more alert in appearance.
The twisting and turning of a deer's ears results inTelling the age of a deer with the ears method is
permanent creases in the hair and skin around themost accurate on well conditioned animals.