The Birthdate Effect

It might not be the first thing that you think of when talking about what causes deer to have smaller antlers than others, but birthdate can affect antler size. This is because the later buck fawns are born the less time they have to prioritize nutrients towards starting antler growth, body growth comes first. This means later born bucks will be playing catch up to earlier born bucks and will on typically have smaller antlers as yearlings (1 1/2). This is mainly an issue in the South, where fawns are born anywhere from May to October, which means those early born fawns have 5 more months of growth than later born fawns.

However, research shows this birthdate effect normally diminishes by 3 years of age.

Those are some good lookin sheds. we had a few like that last year and then we didnt find any this year. Last year the hunters on the placer beside us shot 14 bucks that went over 150. we dont ever find them around feeders we find ours near tanks or oat fields

Antler Shedding: The New Beginning

Antlers shed when testosterone levels decrease, which can vary by location and time, but most antlers are shed from February to April. When bucks keep their antlers on longer than normal, it can cut into their antler growth period (Shorter antler growing season = Less time to grow bigger antlers). Shed antlers have a rough texture at the base, where it was connected to the deer's pedicle (the growing location for antlers on the skull).

However, some shed antlers take a piece of skull or pedicle with them when they are cast which may cause an infection called a brain abscess which has been shown to cause up to 10% natural mortality in herds with older bucks. If a buck survives, they may grow "funky" antlers, such as one-sided spike, or other deformation because of the injury to the pedicle. Typically, bucks are able to heal the injury after a year or two, however, some may never recover to "normal."

nice bucks!