OR: Hunters Asked to Return Black-Tailed Deer Teeth

SALEM, Ore. — Hunters that are successful in their Western Oregon deer hunt are asked to return a deer tooth to ODFW. The tooth indicates the black-tailed deer’s age, data that is used in population modeling efforts.

Hunters need to remove one of the two middle incisor teeth and mail it to ODFW’s Wildlife Population Lab. Postage paid envelopes are available at ODFW offices and license sales agents.

Directions on how to remove a middle incisor tooth are included on the tooth envelope or can be found online.

If you can’t pick up an ODFW envelope, mail the tooth to: ODFW, Wildlife Population Laboratory, 7118 NE Vandenberg Ave., Corvallis, OR 97330.

Include the following information with the tooth: Your name and address, sex and species of animal (e.g. buck deer), date harvested, Wildlife Management Unit or Hunt where harvested, number of antler points on one side, plus drainage or nearby landmark where harvested if possible.

Hunters who submit a useable tooth will receive a postcard indicating the age of their deer. It usually takes about nine months for hunters to receive this postcard.

Black-tailed deer are found west of the Cascades. Unlike mule deer found east of the Cascades, black-tailed buck deer are rifle hunted under a general season structure, meaning anyone can purchase a tag.

Western Oregon rifle buck deer season opens Oct. 1. Last year, more than 79,000 people hunted this season and harvested nearly 13,000 deer.

Hunters with controlled (limited-entry) Western Oregon deer tags or archery tags are also asked to return a black-tailed deer tooth.

Hunters are also reminded that the deadline to purchase a tag is the day before the hunt begins, or Sept. 30 for a Western Oregon general season deer tag.

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