Browsers that can not handle javascript will not be able to access some features of this site.
Skip Navigation
DNR BannerMichigan.gov, Official Website for Michigan
Michigan.gov Home DNR Home | Links | Site Map | Contact DNR | Ask DNR
Printer Friendly Version Printer Friendly   Text Only Version Text Version Email this page Email Page
How to Age Michigan Deer

Click on any image to view a larger version.

Fawn-½ Year Old- (Click For Larger Image In A New Browser Window)
0.5 YEAR OLD

0.5 year old (fawn): 4 cheek teeth (3 premolars, 1 molar).

1½ Years Old- (Click For Larger Image In A New Browser Window)
1.5 YEARS OLD

1.5 years old: Temporary premolars present (fourth premolar is 3-parted). Note: In deer the first premolar is vestigial and not present. Thus, the premolars which remain are the second, third and fourth.

1½ Years Old- (Click For Larger Image In A New Browser Window)
1.5 YEARS OLD

1.5 years old: Permanent premolars replacing temporary ones.

1½ Years Old- (Click For Larger Image In A New Browser Window)
1.5 YEARS OLD

1.5 years old: Permanent premolars replacing temporary ones.

1½ Years Old- (Click For Larger Image In A New Browser Window)
1.5 YEARS OLD

1.5 years old: All permanent premolars in position and fully erupted (fourth premolar is 2-parted). No wear on permanent premolars. Posterior cusp of third molar generally not erupted. Little or no wear on crests of third molar and dentine, if showing, is a narrow line.

2½ Years Old- (Click For Larger Image In A New Browser Window)
2.5 YEARS OLD

2.5 years old: Wear absent or very slight on third premolar; slight on fourth, usually with only slight amounts of dentine showing on anterior surface. Lingual crests of all molars usually sharp. Dentine line very narrow on third molar. Slight wear consisting of a small thin dentine line is present on the last cusp of the third molar.

3½ Years Old- (Click For Larger Image In A New Browser Window)
3.5 YEARS OLD

3.5 years old: Last cusp of third molar flattened, on the buccal crest (shelf-like). Dentine line on the last cusp is "C" or "J" shaped. Third premolar with thin to moderate dentine line on anterior surface. Lingual crest of first molar blunt. Lingual crests of other molars sharp.

4½ Years Old- (Click For Larger Image In A New Browser Window)
4.5 YEARS OLD

4.5 years old: Lingual crests of first molar present but flat. Crests of second molar rounded as first molar in 3.5 year group. Posterior cusp of third molar may be worn so it slopes laterally downward. Dentine line continues from buccal to lingual crest. Third and fourth premolars further worn. Second premolar may or may not show wear.

5½ Years Old- (Click For Larger Image In A New Browser Window)
5.5 YEARS OLD

5.5 years old: Lingual crests of first and second molar flat. Posterior cusp of third molar hollowed out and is full of dentine.

8½ Years Old- (Click For Larger Image In A New Browser Window)
8.5 YEARS OLD

6.5-8.5 years old: Fourth premolar and first molar usually flat, lingual crests of second molar sometimes missing, especially at upper age limits. Third molar retains lingual crests at all stages.

11½ Years Old- (Click For Larger Image In A New Browser Window)
11.5 YEARS OLD

9.5-12.5 years old: Wear on mandibular cheek teeth greater than above, but in no instance are all teeth flat. Usually there is evidence of lingual crests remaining, at least on the third molar. Extreme variation in wear may occur, especially in the fourth premolar and first molar. Presence or absence of incisors not a valid criterion of this age group, since know-age specimens and several deer known to be older all retained incisor teeth in good condition.

19½ Years Old- (Click For Larger Image In A New Browser Window)
19.5 YEARS OLD

Old Age: No lingual crests present. Molar teeth frequently hollowed-out or entirely flat. Teeth may be missing or show extremely uneven wear, and some shrinking away of bone around roots of teeth may have occurred.

Link to Department and Agencies Web Site Index
Link to Statewide Online Services Index
Link to Statewide Web-based Surveys
Link to RSS feeds available on this site
Related Content
 •  2007 Deer Harvest Seasons Survey Report  PDF icon
 •  2006 Deer Hunter Opinion Survey PDF icon
 •  Evaluation of Quality Deer Management (QDM) in DMU 045 (Leelanau County) PDF icon
 •  2006 Deer Hunter Harvest Survey Report PDF icon
 •  Hunter Cooperator Patches - 2008
 •  2005 Michigan Deer Harvest Survey Report PDF icon
 •  Proposed 2006-2010 Deer Population Goals (for review) PDF icon
 •  Quality Deer Management (QDM)
 •  "Buck or Doe?" and Why

Michigan.gov Home | DNR Home | Report All Poaching 1-800-292-7800 | Feedback | Contact DNR | Ask DNR | State Web Sites
Privacy Policy | Link Policy | Accessibility Policy | Security Policy | Michigan News | Michigan.gov Survey

Copyright © 2001-2007 State of Michigan