Lefthorn, take a look above. From right to left, the second premolar (circled) has considerable wear. Immediately after that tooth, molar number one, has considerably more brown to white ratio, which is the dentine/enamel ratio, same for molar 2, and same for molar 3. The last cusps of molar 3 has considerable cupping (starting to dish out like a bowl). That places this deer well over 5 in my opinion. It’s 6 minimum. Likely 7 or older. Most people I’ve seen tend to error on the side of underestimating age, especially in most of AL with sandy soils and later birth dates.
I put about 50% confidence in using toothwear alone as an aging technique past age 3. Not doubting mine or any other trained biologists estimates. I doubt the accuracy of the science used to determine age. It’s not accurate. If anyone tells you it is they are either not well trained and experienced or don’t use other identifying characteristics to base age estimates on. I had Dr. Steve Demariais at MSU tell me 18 years ago that any jawbone older than 2.5 could be the age you think it is, or it could be well older. I didn’t quite understand what he meant at the time, but I sure do now. That’s why I like to use photographs and history with specific deer to estimate ages. I’ve seen WAY too many age far differently than their known ages through consecutive years of photos. Genetics, diet, soils, chewing patterns, etc can all influence toothwear.