Buck already shed antlers.

[Sitka_Blacktail]

What causes deer to lose their antlers is hormones that are released/regulated by the amount of daylight. The shortest day of the year is Dec 22, and as each deer is affected a little differently, there can be a wide range in when their antlers drop. It can also chance from year to year. I also suspect it can have something to do with how much sex the buck is getting as this will also affect hormones.  Here's a good article about antlers dropping.

https://www.qdma.com/articles/causes-of-early-antler-casting

[singleshot12]

You suspect it can have something to do with how much sex the buck is getting? now that's funny sitka bt I still say it's got something to do with global warming and always will

[blackveltbowhunter]

While I dont think its the main factor, I certainly think it plays a role. IMO, the only constant is photoperiod in the deers life cycle. Which is why in any given region you will have certain times when things will be happening affecting animals in that particualr region. November always has rutting bucks, september always has rutting bulls.  A couple weeks this way or that way, can be swayed by so many factors it makes my head spin, but is alot of fun to think about.

[muleracks]

Following a big burn in the Entiat Valley we did a lot of feeding and those bucks that frequented the feed did not drop their antlers until February.
Normally we expect the shed to begin in late December and end by late January.  Nutrition may have something to do with shed timing.

[boneaddict]

Seen one that had dropped both sides and one that had dropped one this weekend.  Mule deer, up north

[bowtechian]

Island blacktail shed still had a lil blood on the base

[JBar]

Did someone say sheds  I guess I better start looking.