2006 Tooth Aging Study

We received teeth from 43 pronghorn taken during the 2006 season, all of which were sent on to the Armendaris Ranch and Marston’s Laboratory for aging. With some notable exceptions most of these were from young animals with the highest scoring trophy being a 3-year old from New Mexico. The second largest entry was a 6-year old taken in Unit 18A in Arizona. None of the animals scoring in the 90s was older than six and an 88 ¾ buck taken by Arlene Stayner in Unit 10 was judged to only be a 2-year old. The two notable exceptions were the magnificent old bucks taken by Eric Gardner and Dale Hislop, which scored 88 ½ and 86 ½ respectively. Both of these trophies were aged at 9 or older. Previous studies have shown that pronghorn horn size depends on the age of the animal with most trophies being between the ages of four and six. Winter temperatures, and the precipitation received and the forage conditions present are also important. Moreover, bucks born during a good year tend to have large horns throughout their life.

Pronghorn scores and ages sent in for 2006       Unit and B&C   Number Name State score Age B-1 Texas necropsy TX <70 2 B-2 R. Turquette 58 WY <70 2 B-3 T. Hulen 58 WY <70 2 B-4 J. Guevin 5B AZ <70 2 B-5 R. Ockenfels 13A AZ <70 2 B-6 S. Waltz 4B AZ 73 1/4 6 A-13 S. Friesen Roy, NM 78 1/2 2 A-16 J. Williams San R. UT 78 1/2  7 or 8 A-21 S. Friesen Cornudas TX 78 1/2  3 or 4 A-4 L. Burlesen Roy, NM 79    2 or 3 A-28 T. Romsa Cornudas TX 79   3 A-1 J. Martin UT 79 1/4 7 B-7 D. Marshall 3BN AZ 79 1/2  8 or 9 A-8 E. Schierling 47 WY 79 3/4 7 A-12 W. Murphy Roy, NM 80    3 or 4 A-22 P. Wollernman Cornudas TX 80   6 A-24 C. Marftin Cornudas TX 80 1/4  2 or 3 A-10 T. Grimmet 68 WY 80 1/4 5 A-9 M. Schierling 47 WY 81 1/4 9 or 10 A-23 T Romsa 11 NM 82   4 B-8 M. Tellez NM 82 1/8 6 A-2 D. Leach Roy, NM 82 1/4  2 or 3 A-5 L. Noble 20 NM 82 3/4 4 A-7 T. Hanna Cornudas TX 82 3/4 3 A-3 T. Pehrson 10 AZ 83 1/4   2or 3 A-6 J. Perkins Cornudas TX 83 1/2 4 A-27 J. Martin Cornudas TX 84 1/2 3 A-25 B. Hornberger Cornudas TX 84 3/4 3 A-26 R.Pierce Cornudas TX 84 3/4 5 A-18 J. Motts 7 AZ 85 1/2  5 or 6 A-11 E. Grimmet 68 WY 85 3/4 2 A-34 D. Hislop San Carlos IR 86 1/2 9 B-9 S. Vaughn 17 AZ 87   4 A-17 F. Yancy 36 NM 87 1/2  3 or 4 A-29 D. Pierce 37NM 87 1/2 4 A-31 F. Chase 1 AZ 88* 4 A-20 J. Fox 36 NM 88 1/4  3 or 4 A-33 E. Gardner 17B AZ 88 1/2 9 or 10 A-15 A. Stayner 10 AZ 88 3/4 2 A-19 D. Fox 36 NM 91   4 A-30 M. Pierce 37 NM 92   3 B-10 M. Domsher 18A 92 1/4 6 A-14 F. Yancy 36 NM 93   3           * green