AGE DETERMINATION IN BLACK-TAIL DEER BY DEGREE OF OSSIFICATION OF THE EPIPHYSEAL PLATE IN THE LONG BONES

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Abstract
We have studied 34 skeletons of black-tailed deer, Odocoileus hemionus, of known age to determine the order of epiphysis closure in the long hones of the legs. There is an orderly sequence in this process in which the fore limb slightly precedes the hind limb at each site. The use of 14 epiphyses for each animal and four classes of closures has permitted the development of an index of skeletal maturity which can be used to estimate the age of an individual up to the age of 72 months, Inanitition apparently delays epiphysis closure by at least 12 months. Sex differences are uncertain.

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