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Forums >> Texas Hunting >> Texas Deer Hunting >> Antler decline?

Antler decline?

 October 20, 2009 10:39 AM [#1]
HuntnFly67
HuntnFly67
HuntnFly67 writes about Antler decline?
Points: Y (0) / M (0)
Alpha Sierra
Johnson county

The pic is blurry as I needed to zoom in, but how old is this guy? I will short a rack an inch before I give it an eighth - and I am thinking he'd be lucky to see 130 inches.  My question is can anybody give me a good age estimate on him.  I know he is mature, but is he maxed out for antler growth and at the point of beginning to decline?  Thanks in advance.

  • Antler decline?

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RE: Antler decline?

 October 20, 2009 10:50 AM [#2]
HuntnFly67
HuntnFly67
HuntnFly67 writes about
Points: Y (0) / M (0)
Alpha Sierra
Johnson county

Here is another shot with an obviously younger (2.5 y/o?) buck for reference.

  • Antler decline?

RE: Antler decline?

 October 21, 2009 09:39 AM [#3]
murphy1961
murphy1961
murphy1961 writes about murphy1961 writes about
Points: Y (0) / M (0)
Ken Murphy
Email murphy1961

Have you seen this buck in previous years?  That's the only way to really know.  Having said that, he does appear from the pics to be sliding downhill.

RE: Antler decline?

 October 21, 2009 10:27 AM [#4]
HuntnFly67
HuntnFly67
HuntnFly67 writes about
Points: Y (0) / M (0)
Alpha Sierra
Johnson county

We never saw him last year, but two years ago I can find a buck with a similar rack, except for the back forked G2. At that time the deer was in the 3.5 to 4.5 y/o range. 

If it was the same deer, that means this guy could be 6.5 this year.  Good point. 

I think that puts him at the top of our hit list if a neighbor doesn't get him first.

RE: Antler decline?

 October 21, 2009 03:07 PM [#5]
HunterHeath

HunterHeath writes about
Points: Y (0) / M (0)
Heath Gattis
Bastrop county

I didn't not think deer antlers declined.  That they only improve with age.  the only decline I have ever seen was if there was a drought or something hurting the nutrition to the deer for antler growth. 

RE: Antler decline?

 October 27, 2009 03:40 PM [#6]
HuntnFly67
HuntnFly67
HuntnFly67 writes about
Points: Y (0) / M (0)
Alpha Sierra
Johnson county

I have read several articles stating antlers decline later in a deer's life.  They also stated antler development peaks between 3.5 and 6.5 depending on range and genetic conditions.

Forums >> Texas Hunting >> Texas Deer Hunting >> Antler decline?

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