For you bighorn experts, let's play the annuli game

[mtmiller]

I have a couple bighorn shots, so thought it might be fun to play the annuli game. I will post one every day or two for some fun. Feel free to throw one in as well.

How old is this guy?
#1

 

[BigHornRam]

Going on 5. Still 4.

 

[Huntnut60]

5, think you might find another in the hair.

 

[seeth07]

Almost 5. There looks to be a "false" ring between the 1st and 2nd ring from the tip.

 

[BigHornRam]

Age these 2. Lamb tip is easier to see when they haven't broomed and their horn is wet.

 

[BuzzH]

Photo one is 4, just turned 4 and judging by years 2 and 3 will put on significant growth by the time he turns 5.

 

[El Jason]

Photo one is 4, just turned 4 and judging by years 2 and 3 will put on significant growth by the time he turns 5.

Agreed. He also must have either gone through a period of poor nutrition/significant weather period/illness not long before he turned two.

 

[Oak]

Rams add their annuli in the winter, at the "half" ages. So you can think of it as them having their birthday in between the annuli. The first one you see is almost always the 1.5 year mark, their second winter. I think this ram is 4 years old. I think the photo was taken in November and he will add his 4th annulus over the course of the next few months.

 

[BigHornRam]

5, think you might find another in the hair.

It's winter in the pic. He is putting on a ring at the base at that time. In spring he will be 5.

 

[Huntnut60]

100% agree. Thanks for the explanation. Kinda of smart ass, but what if that is a June snowstorm?

 

[BuzzH]

100% agree. Thanks for the explanation. Kinda of smart ass, but what if that is a June snowstorm?

Beat me to it...or March or April.

Coat looks good so probably not as late as June.

 

[mtmiller]

I will include the date in the future.

Other side of #1 and photo taken 11.26.2019

 

[El Jason]

Photo is a little fuzzy, can you please touch it up? K. thanks.

 

[Oak]

On the right horn you can see the first winter annulus which is normally broomed off with the lamb tip. It is at the dark line on the horn right above the M in Miller.

 

[BigHornRam]

100% agree. Thanks for the explanation. Kinda of smart ass, but what if that is a June snowstorm?

June is still officially winter in Montana or South Dakota, so if that's the case he would be 5.

 

[mtmiller]

I will get to some tougher ones, but baby steps until then.

#2
6.30.2017

 

[BigHornRam]

Those grey neck hairs are making this one challenging enough!

 

[bonedogg]

5 yr old

 

[Irrelevant]

#2. 3?
Edit: 4...
last guess: 5!

 

[Carl 9.3x62]

Do you start counting from the tip and work your way to the base?