Comparison of Eruption-Wear Patterns and Cementum Annuli as Age Criteria in Elk

An objective method for estimating the age of elk (Cervus canadensis) based on cementum annuli counts in stained sections of first incisor roots was developed. Ages estimated from cementum annuli structures agreed with the known ages of 18 elk used to check reliability of the technique. Eruption-wear age estimates by biologists working at elk check stations were compared to ages assessed from the dental cementum. Only 50 percent agreement was recorded between these two aging techniques when elk were placed in specific age groups.