Another "how old is this Ram"?

[Zach]

With permission from the Photographer, here is a pic of a ram in the RMNP area of CO.

@Oak expert opinion? I guessed 8 in my lowly age judging skills, but always looking to learn so when I finally draw a tag I'm good to harvest a good one.

 

[cedahm]

I suck at this - either 8 or 9 depending on whether this is an annuli ring or just something else:

 

[Zach]

I suck at this - either 8 or 9 depending on whether this is an annuli ring or just something else:

View attachment 156058

I counted that one, but like you I suck at this. I'm more curious about the rings out near the end of the horn.

 

[recurveman]

I've got him at 10. The rings on either side of his ear should be 4 and 5 years old. Then there are more rings with 10 years starting at his skull.

 

[mdeerjunkie]

8 1/2 in my opinion.

 

[BigHornRam]

9.5

 

[Cheesehead]

I suck at this but would like to improve. I get 9 (not entirely sure about the red close to skull). Any pointers appreciated!

 

[lonedave]

9.5

 

[Oak]

I am far from an expert. Here's what I see.

 

[Panda Bear]

9

but more important he would be hunt-able ( over 8 and full curl )

 

[Zach]

9

but more important he would be hunt-able ( over 8 and full curl )

Not unless he wonders onto public land or RMNP starts allowing hunts.

 

[bonedogg]

he's 10

 

[Bambistew]

In Alaska that ram would be counted as a 10yo ram. I think he was born in May of 2010 assuming the picture is recent..

The half year thing always confuses me, especially when they are born in mid/late May rings are laid down in November-January, and we shoot them in August/September. Lets not forget the lamb tips that show up after about 4-5 months... A ram killed in August/Sept is really only X.25 years old, but we round up a year, or in some cases go to the nearest half year? Now my head hurts...

Counting backwards using Oaks numbers, assuming the ring closes to the head was laid in Nov 2019 (labeled 9.5)

Mo/Yr	Age
Sep-20	10.3
Nov-19	9.5
Nov-18	8.5
Nov-17	7.5
Nov-16	6.5
Nov-15	5.5
Nov-14	4.5
Nov-13	3.5
Nov-12	2.5
Nov-11	1.5
May-10	0

 

[Zach]

In Alaska that ram would be counted as a 10yo ram. I think he was born in May of 2010 assuming the picture is recent..

The half year thing always confuses me, especially when they are born in mid/late May rings are laid down in November-January, and we shoot them in August/September. Lets not forget the lamb tips that show up after about 4-5 months... A ram killed in August/Sept is really only X.25 years old, but we round up a year, or in some cases go to the nearest half year? Now my head hurts...

Counting backwards using Oaks numbers, assuming the ring closes to the head was laid in Nov 2019 (labeled 9.5)

Mo/Yr	Age
Sep-20	10.3
Nov-19	9.5
Nov-18	8.5
Nov-17	7.5
Nov-16	6.5
Nov-15	5.5
Nov-14	4.5
Nov-13	3.5
Nov-12	2.5
Nov-11	1.5
May-10	0

this is great, thanks for sharing.
Pic was taken in September.

 

[Bambistew]

this is great, thanks for sharing.
Pic was taken in September.

The first ring that you can usually sorta see clearly is the 3 year ring but sometimes they are very shallow. The 4th year is usually very well defined. The back of the horn will be triangular in cross section, more or less at the 3 ring if you can see them from the back. The end of growth at year 3 is their first year of growing a "butting" surface. before that point, the cross section its more oval. Oak got the same rings I would, I just round up to the nearest year due to when they are shot. My head still hurts...

 

[Zach]

Have another photog friend who photo’d a Ram wondering age.

 

[timmy]

9.5 on the first

 

[timmy]

This is one of those mutant breaks ram. Ive been informed and from what I’ve seen it’s not a true sheep hunt. I have him at 6.5 biologist said 7.5 sorry for the poor lighting.

 

[livingthedream]

9.5 on 1st, 8.5 on 2nd, 6.5 on 3rd

 

[The Hedgehog]

I think 9.5.

I’m in CO in a bar licking my wounds after 4 days of deer hunting.
@timmy breaks hunts are true sheep hunts but different. I know they are challenging to say the least.