Deer aging tool

Abstract

A deer aging tool that comprises a set of three-dimensional simulated deer jaw templates that accurately depict the wear patterns of deer's teeth for deer ages one-and-a-half years through eight-and-a-half years is disclosed. The templates are full-scale in size and accurate in color and weight. Each template includes easy to read visual indicia that allows for quick and easy comparison of the template to the deer's actual jaw in the field.

1 - 20 . (canceled)  
   
   
       21 . A deer aging tool, comprising: 
 at least one three-dimensional template, each template being configured in the form of teeth of a deer at a selected age; and    age indicia disposed on each template for indicating the selected age of the deer which the template represents.    
   
   
       22 . The deer aging tool according to  claim 21 , wherein each tooth is configured to indicate a selected wear pattern.  
   
   
       23 . The deer aging tool according to  claim 22 , wherein the selected wear pattern is indicated by the shape of the individual teeth and patterns of color representing the dentine of the individual teeth.  
   
   
       24 . The deer aging tool according to  claim 21 , further comprising: 
 tooth-indicating means disposed on each template for identifying the individual teeth on each template.    
   
   
       25 . The deer aging tool according to  claim 24 , further comprising: 
 fourth-tooth-indicating means for identifying the fourth tooth on each template.    
   
   
       26 . The deer aging tool according to  claim 21 , wherein the age indicia includes age-indicating characters.  
   
   
       27 . The deer aging tool according to  claim 26 , wherein the age-indicating characters are formed in each template.  
   
   
       28 . The deer aging tool according to  claim 21 , wherein each template is configured in the form of the teeth of a right jaw of the deer.  
   
   
       29 . The deer aging tool according to  claim 21 , further comprising: 
 a means for retaining the templates in a selected arrangement.    
   
   
       30 . The deer aging tool according to  claim 29 , wherein the means for retaining the templates in a selected arrangement is selected from the group consisting of a chain, a rope, a straight rigid rod, a flexible cord, and tabs.  
   
   
       31 . The deer aging tool according to  claim 21 , wherein the templates are formed by an injection molding process.  
   
   
       32 . The deer aging tool according to  claim 21 , wherein the templates are formed from a material selected from the group consisting of wood, metal, and plastic.  
   
   
       33 . The deer aging tool according to  claim 21 , further comprising: 
 a pouch adapted to carry the templates.    
   
   
       34 . The deer aging tool according to  claim 21 , further comprising: 
 an instruction card having instructions for use of the deer aging tool.    
   
   
       35 . The deer aging tool according to  claim 34 , wherein the instruction card is laminated.  
   
   
       36 . A kit for aging a deer, comprising: 
 a plurality of three-dimensional templates, each template including a portion being configured in the form of teeth of a deer at a selected age;    age indicia disposed on each template for indicating the selected age of the deer which the template represents;    a retaining means for releasably retaining the templates;    an instruction card having instructions for use of the kit; and    a pouch adapted for carrying the templates, the retaining means, and the instruction card.