HUNTING IN WYOMING

Clicking the links below will take you to the specified section of the page

Tooth Age Lookup Application
(Only available for 2019 hunt seasons and later)

Click Here for info about how to remove game teeth for aging
Click Here to view antelope, elk, deer and moose ages
Click Here to view black bear and mountain lion ages
Click Here to view bison ages
Click Here to view bobcat ages

NOT ALL HUNTERS OR HUNT AREAS ARE SAMPLED

By signing up for WGFD Updates the tooth aging laboratory can keep you updated concerning the date at which ages will be posted. Make sure to click the Tooth Aging Updates box in the Wildlife and Habitat Section.

Laboratory aging of an animal is based on the cementum annuli growth within the root of each animal’s teeth. A dark narrow growth ring forms each winter. The laboratory softens the teeth and then takes thin vertical cross sections (0.8µm). Using a dark blue stain we are able to highlight the narrow winter growth for tooth aging analysis (Based on Gary M. Matson’s Workbook for Cementum Analysis).

Tooth aging data can be used by wildlife biologist in various ways but all have the ultimate goal of being useful for better management of our game species. We collect teeth via a focused survey for particular hunt areas, at game check stations throughout the state and through random field checks. Teeth are collected from elk, mule deer, white-tail deer, moose, black bear, mountain lion and bison.

Elk biologist use tooth aging data to track age structures of elk populations. This method works best when comparing females since they have little or no age bias when harvested. Tracking age structure helps create a more accurate model of the population for better management decisions.

Big game biologists also use tooth aging data to monitor antler quality in elk and deer populations. The Wyoming Game and Fish Department takes pride in the quality of game it manages. Tooth aging gives us a tool to monitor quality. By comparing antler widths and ages biologist are able to determine which herds need special attention to manage for quality bulls and bucks.

Black Bear biologists use tooth aging data to determine the impact that each harvest has on black bear populations. The biologists divide the ages in to subcategories called age classes. Using the age classes and sex data the biologists can determine the relative vulnerability for each black bear management area and make recommendations for the upcoming seasons.
4.5 year old cow moose tooth
4.5 Year Old Cow Moose Tooth – The first incisors in moose are permanent teeth. Unlike deer and elk moose do not lose their first incisor which means the number of annuli equals the age. We add 0.5 years to adjust for the period of time between when they are born and when they are typically harvested.

Tooth Removal Instructions

Tooth removal instructions 1) Locate the first incisors. These are the front most teeth in the mouth and should be the easiest to access.

2) Using a knife cut down through the gum line on both sides of each tooth. The deeper you cut with your knife along the root tip, the easier the tooth will be to remove.

3) Move the teeth back and forth. Try not to break the root tip because that is where the cementum annuli are most accurate.

4) Try to remove any excess gum tissue and place teeth on tooth box. PLEASE DO NOT WRAP TEETH IN PLASTIC.

Tooth Boxes

PLEASE DO NOT WRAP TEETH IN PLASTIC

Please fill out all the info on the tooth box. We use this data to better manage our game species.
tooth box

Big Game Ages

For elk, moose and deer teeth submitted before January 15th of the current hunting season, ages for moose and deer will be available by February 5th. Ages for elk will be available by February 20th. Teeth submitted after January 15th will be available March 31st.

The license number column has been sorted numerically for your convenience. You can also search the spreadsheet by hitting Ctrl+F and typing in your license number once you have opened the correct species spreadsheet below:

2019 Antelope Ages
2019 Elk Ages
2019 Moose Ages
2019 Deer Ages

Trophy Game

Black bear and mountain lion teeth are collected by biologist and mailed to the laboratory in large batches. The date those ages are posted will be dependent on the closing date of the majority of hunt areas for that species. If you are signed up for WGFD Updates we will post the release date as soon as the teeth arrive in the laboratory.

The license number column has been sorted numerically for your convenience. You can also search the spreadsheet by hitting Ctrl+F and typing in your license number once you have opened the correct species spreadsheet below:

2019 Fall Black Bear
2019 Spring Black Bear
2018 Mountain Lion

Bison

The laboratory has a specific protocol and the experience to accurately age permanent teeth in bison. Bison do not receive their permanent first incisor until 2 years of age.  However, we do not have a protocol to microscopically age deciduous teeth in bison and research is minimal, therefore we will provide an age range for these teeth unless provided a specific field age.
 
Teeth received by the lab that are specified from field ages as calves are recorded as 0.5 years of age. Bison that are recorded as adults from field ages but still acquire a deciduous tooth are recorded as 1.5 to 2.5 years of age. Deciduous teeth of bison that are not calves or not specified when received by the lab are recorded as 0.5 to 2.5 years of age.

The license number column has been sorted numerically for your convenience. You can also search the spreadsheet by hitting Ctrl+F and typing in your license number. 

2017 Bison

Bobcat

In bobcats, the permanent canines begin to replace the deciduous canines by six months of age, and the root canal of permanent canines closes between 13 and 18 months of age. Therefore, permanent canines with a visual open root canal are aged as juveniles that are 0.5 – 1.5 years of age and deciduous canines aged as kittens that are 0.5 year of age.

Bobcat

Disclaimer

Tooth aging through cementum annuli analyses is a subjective science. The accuracy is based on the experience and skill of the analyst. At present the Wyoming Game and Fish Forensic and Fish Health Laboratory has four trained and experienced cementum annuli analysts. When compared to known age samples the laboratory, on average, reports less than one year difference from the known age. One analyst reads all the teeth and the a second analyst will read and verify 45%-50% of the teeth. The laboratory aging of game teeth is considerably more accurate then field aging but we still recognize an error of plus or minus one year. If you have any questions please feel free to contact the Wyoming Game and Fish Wildlife Forensic and Fish Health Laboratory at (307)766-5616.

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