Mandibles from the 142 wolf-killed deer and 259 hunter-killed deer were examined closely for abnormal dentition ([table 5], [figs. 8]-[10]) (Mech et al. 1970) and pathological conditions ([table 6]), and the lower limbs of 75 wolf-kills and 126 hunter-kills were also checked for abnormalities and pathology ([table 7], [fig. 11]). Statistical comparison showed that the incidence of each condition was significantly higher in the sample from wolf-killed deer ([table 8]).
Jaw necrosis found in our specimens was similar to that described by Murie (1944) for Dall sheep and Mech (1966a) for moose. Generally animals with this condition are old, and ours were no exception.
Figure 7.—Comparison between the age structures of deer killed by wolves, deer killed by hunters, and a theoretical population from the same general area of northeastern Minnesota.
Figure 8.—Deciduous first premolar (arrow), usually not present in deer, was found in specimen M-31.