LARAMIE — The hunting season is in full swing and the Wyoming Game and Fish Department is again offering to help hunters who want to know the age of a harvested animal. This is done by looking at a tooth from animal. Tooth Aging Coordinator Miranda DeSmith with the Wyoming Game and Fish Wildlife Forensic and Fish Health Laboratory has received the first shipment of harvested elk, moose and deer teeth for aging already. Other hunters can send in samples now to the Forensic and Fish Health Lab, which is located in Laramie.
“This program is designed to provide Game and Fish Biologists with accurate age data for big game and trophy game in specific hunt areas. The age data is utilized by biologists for season setting and population management and it is also of interest for hunters,” said DeSmith.
Hunters that receive a tooth box and provide teeth for aging can access their harvested animal’s age, utilizing their license number, on the Wyoming Game and Fish Department web site, https://wgfd.wyo.gov/Hunting/Tooth-Aging .
Tooth ages for elk, moose and deer harvested in the 2015-2016 hunting season will be available mid-February and March 2016.
If you would like more information about tooth aging please contact the Tooth Aging Coordinator at (307) 766-5617 or visit the Wyoming Game and Fish Department web page listed above.
Photo Credit: WiseGeek