Antler growth

[Mallardmasher]

How long in your area do you see antler growth

[Alan K]

Frames are mostly done in the first part of August, then a little mass/hardening before shedding the velvet towards the end of the month.  Smaller bucks seem to hold velvet longer.

[fishnfur]

That sounds about right to me too.  What have you observed MMasher?

[Mallardmasher]

About the same, but this year, I have quite a few bucks still needing length, but carrying 4 or 5 pt frames already, and have been for weeks. Seems like two more months of growing, when most rapid growth occurs in late June to mid July as testosterone is at it's lowest, is a lot for what they already carry.

[fishnfur]

Studies show that young deer on a perfect diet will often reach four point status even in the second year (if that is what their genes are programmed for).  I think they even had 1.5 year-olds with four points.

I believe the current thinking is that all the best food in the world cannot turn a deer with just fair or good genetics into a deer that will grow a world class rack.  The good nutrition allows them to reach their genetic potential, not exceed it.