what tooth is an elk's ivory?

[sancho]

just wondering. i never knew to look in my elk's mouth. my friend called me and told me to u-turn back to the taxidermist to get them. elk ivory? who knew? why are they called ivory, and not a tooth.??

do other animals have anything similar?

 

[superduty]

It's the upper jaw canine's. Just dug two out last night. Gave one to my wife to polish up in her pocket and one to my Aunt. Putting them in your jean pocket works well. Hope this helps.

 

[Kentuck]

Theory that I read is it is thought that at one time ek had tusks of some sort and that over time the changed to the modern day tooth. It is ivory. Both cows and bulls have them. Makes great jewelry. This is how I justify my elk hunt. I just tell the wife I'm going jewelry hunting!

 

[easymoney]

The canines were once used for jewelry, like watch fobs at one time...

 

[Dirk]

Is it real ivory? Or just a tooth mistaken for ivory?

 

[sancho]

isnt all teeth ivory? ivory means no root?

 

[Kentuck]

http://fwp.mt.gov/wildthings/brochure_elk.html

 

[Sodhunter]

They are real ivory. They call them "buglers" for some reason, but cows have them too. They polish up nice and I have seen some really cool earings and pendants made from them.

 

[Huntr Pat]

"Buglers"It all depends on their diet and how it stains the teeth as the year goes on the tooth grows with different rings or coloration. I read a piece in a montana biologis writting and in the RMEF magazine. I have 3 pairs 2 from Tule elk and one recently from a bull in south of Glasgow,mt