Kenny,

I spent a lot of great days walking near Abbeville and still have many friends there.

Deer a year old or older have three premolars and three molars.  The three premolars (toward the deer’s mouth) are replaced by new teeth the deer is approximately 14 to 20 months old.  The third premolar (closer to the deer’s throat) is the last to be replaced.  This tooth has 3 cusps (humps) when it first comes.  It is physically pushed out by a new tooth at about 18 months.  The replacement tooth has two cusps. So, anytime you evaluate a deer jaw and the third premolar has two cusps the deer was two years old or older.

It appears the first molar (the fourth tooth back on the lower jaw and the oldest tooth in a two year old or older deer’s mouth) has a small amount of wear.  I estimate the buck was either two or three and I’m leaning toward three.

Enjoy creation,

grant

February 5, 2016