Learn how to properly age your harvested elk. Whether it's for chronic wasting disease sampling or personal curiosity, these images and descriptions help you determine the age of your animal.
Aging your harvested elk
Calves
Elk calves have 4 cheek teeth showing no wear or staining. The third premolar (tooth 3) has 3 cusps.
Elk calves have eight incisors that show no wear and will be replaced.
Yearlings
Yearling elk have five cheek teeth. The third premolar (tooth 3) has 3 cusps.
Yearling elk will have or will be replacing the first (middle) set of incisors. Between the age of 1.5 and 2.5 years the other sets of incisors will be replaced.
Adults
Adult elk (2.5 years or older) will have six cheek teeth. The third premolar (tooth 3) has been replaced by a tooth with 2 cusps.
Adult elk (older 2.5 years) will have replaced each set of incisors.