Ivories

Spotted Owl · 10-31-2005, 09:33 PM

Were are the ivories in the jaw? I have heard that they are on the top in the back, on the bottom in the back, in the middle on the top, in the middle on the bottom. I have never pulled them out before. I always knew about them but always for got at the time. Well if I am fortunate in the future to harvest an elk I would like to start pulling these teeth. But with out knowing were in the jaw they are it is gonna be hard to shove them into the pocket after the kill.

I know how to polish them up I just don't know were they are when it comes time to pull them. BTW the best polish I have seen and used besides tossin them in your pocket was putting them in a bag of that corn cobb brass cleaning stuff you tumble reloading brass in and carry them around in the bag while that is in your pocket. Also if you don't like the color that you see initially you can sand them down by hand with some super fine stuff to show more of the color and the rings.

Any how any help would be great

Thanks

Owl

sliverslinger · 10-31-2005, 09:37 PM

If I remember right they are on the top jaw. they should be near the back. You will need to use your knife to loosen them up a bit before pulling them.

sliverpicker · 11-01-2005, 03:38 AM

Top jaw toward the front. They're by themselves, hard to miss. On a spike they're white and roundish and stick out of the gumline quite aways. On a mature bull they'll be worn down some and have rings or blotches ranging from tan to deep mahogany brown.

I assume the teeth on a cow will be similar due to age?

sliverpicker

Rank Amateur · 11-01-2005, 08:02 AM

Trying to visualize, I agree, top front, I think I read where they are the remnants of tusks.

Hunt'nFish · 11-01-2005, 08:24 AM

Ivories are located on the top middle, just behind the front incisors. They are easy to spot because they are round in shape. The young bull's (spikes) are usually small, hollow and lack wear character. On the older bulls they are worn more flat and have brown rings like growth rings on a tree. These are the ones that make for purty rings and such.

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Hunt'nFish

Chesapeake · 11-01-2005, 08:36 AM

The ivories are the only two teeth in the front upper jaw. Same location as a dogs K-9 teeth. Elk only have the molars in the back of the upper jaw. They eat by smashing the grass against thier top (gums?) with thier bottom incisors to break it free. They then chew it with thier upper and lower molars.

HRDBUL · 11-02-2005, 02:00 PM

You wont miss them, just cut down both side until your under them all the way and saw them out the rest of the way with your knife, make sure you get deep enough or you might break them, they are about an inch long. leave all the meat on and boil them unitl they are free of flesh them polish lightly.

Hunt'nFish · 11-02-2005, 02:45 PM

Really? I'd never noticed they had no upper incisers.
Huh, goes to show you... even I don't know everything.
I'm still amazed I'd never noticed, not even this last weekend when brother & I ripped the dinks out of his spike.
Thanks for the clarification,
Hunt'nFish

Spotted Owl · 11-02-2005, 05:37 PM

Thanks for the location help. Hopefully I will be able to remember them next time.

Owl

BIGALSURF · 11-04-2005, 01:01 PM

Don't forget the tongue. Good eating!

biederboat · 11-04-2005, 06:55 PM

If you plan on pulling them in the field (e.g. if you take just the skull cap w/ ears & eyes) you will need pliers to pull them, I don't think a knife alone will do at least from my experience. A leatherman works great but get a good grip so they don't slip and scratch. It helps to cut the gum back a bit.

Biederboat

Gun Rod Bow · 11-04-2005, 07:07 PM

You can pop them out with a hunting knife. Cut deep on both sides and a little toward the middle, work them back and forth then pop them with your knife.

If you use pliers etc. you will scratch them.

Glad I didn't get a chance to comment on the upper teeth thing

BTW, cows have them too, but smaller. And Spikes are usually hollow and not really suited for jewelry IMO.

BrianMaguire · 11-04-2005, 10:54 PM

Quote:

Top jaw toward the front. They're by themselves, hard to miss. On a spike they're white and roundish and stick out of the gumline quite aways. On a mature bull they'll be worn down some and have rings or blotches ranging from tan to deep mahogany brown.

I assume the teeth on a cow will be similar due to age?

sliverpicker

What Silverpicker said they are on the front top. An old cow can have ivories larger that a very nice bull. Anyone that says a cow does no have them does not know jack. Cows have Ivories!

Rank Amateur · 11-05-2005, 07:45 PM

Is this what you guys are talking about???

They look better hanging off some horns.

pythonwill · 11-05-2005, 09:14 PM

Ya beat me to it, here are a couple I pulled out of a cow skull I found a few days ago near Cochran pond

HntnFsh · 11-06-2005, 06:46 AM

Thats amazing!!!
How do you end up with 40 or 50 sets of ivories?Got any plans for something really neat with them besides a killer necklace.

Small Fry · 11-06-2005, 11:57 AM

Nice collection.

Rank how do you drill the holes. I tried with a diamond bit in my dremel tool with no luck.

MarlinMark · 11-06-2005, 08:14 PM

I drilled mine with my power drill and the smallest bit I had....have to get someone who trusts you to hold'em. :smile: Worked out ok.

Mark

Rank Amateur · 11-06-2005, 08:23 PM

Well, I was pulling a fast one on you guys. Actually those are my Dad's and mine. 53 bulls, we are three teeth short. We didn't start making the necklace until about 10 years ago. Dad used to throw his in a box, mine ended up on a dresser top in a cup. Finally we got the bright idea to start the collection and I hope some day soon, my son will start adding to it. What a neat tradition to pass down!

I think Dad just put the teeth in a vise with cloth wrapped around them and drilled with a power drill. It will smell like being at the dentist!

Rank Amateur · 11-20-2005, 06:14 PM

Here's the proof.