Biology And Management Of White-tailed Deer In Alabama

extractor towards the deer’s
nose. Once the extractor reaches
the deer’s chin, twist the extractor
to separate the two lower
jawbones. The cut jawbone can
now be removed easily by hand.
Once the jawbone has
been removed, it should be labeled.
The simplest way to mark
a jawbone is with an indelible
(permanent) marker. Dry the jawbone with a paper towel or cloth and
then write the corresponding number from the harvest data sheets
(1,2,3...) directly on the bone. The other method for marking a jawbone
is to use a paper or aluminum tag. The deer number from the data
sheets should be written on the tag and the tag should be securely attached
to the jawbone using wire or string. Whatever method is used,
make sure the number on the jawbone or tag corresponds with the number
on the data sheets.
After marking, the jawbone should be properly stored. The two
most common ways to store jawbones are in a collapsible fish basket or
a customized jawbone box. In either case, be sure the container keeps
the jawbones dry and allows air to circulate around the jawbones. The
container should be placed where varmints cannot get to it and where it
is readily accessible to all of hunters on the property. Never store jawbones
in a refrigerator, freezer, or plastic bag. This causes the jawbones
to become putrid and rancid. This also can cause numbers on jawbones
or tags to be illegible.
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