about when do we start to see the deer growing antlers??

[backwoods_boy]

just wondering how soon we start to see deer sprouting antlers.
i know the elk are already started but when do the deer start?
 

[jackelope]

they're already started.

[gutsnthegrass]

I've seen a couple small bucks with nubs already.

[DOUBLELUNG]

I've seen antler growth on mule deer bucks in late March after a really mild winter, to as late as late May when the surviving bucks came out of winter in really poor shape.  I believe it has to do with replenishing body reserves to a certain level before antler growth starts, but I don't know that it has been shown scientifically - just a guess. 

I took care of a well-fed, mature 6pt bull for a couple of years - he would show new antler growth starting less than a week after dropping his antlers.  Same facility had several species of deer, all of those bucks (whitetail, fallow, sika, Reeves muntjac, caribou) seemed to have a scab for quite a while, and a bigger gap in time between antler drop and growth.

[teal101]

Already seen one with 2" nubs starting.

[jackelope]

i've seen a blacktail that was already forked.

[backwoods_boy]

perfect thats what i wanted to hear.
just wanted to know if when we gather our cam pics this saturday will we maybe find some growth.
guess i got my answer thanks!

[Caseyd]

Didnt see anything this weekend.....guess i wasnt paying attention to much though. Just a bunch of does or bucks with no growth!!

Was back and forth between Walla Walla and Pullman for graduation and parties.

[huntnphool]

they're already started.

+1

[cabin308]

Got these from the game cam this weekend.
Couple WT bucks,


Closer view,


Three bull elk starting to sprout,


Closer view,


And why the elk picture was blurry,

[backwoods_boy]

just wanna see this on the cam....

[jjhunter]

We have a few muleys by the house that are already at their ears and starting to fork.  A couple nice whiteys that have 3-4" bow-tines, at the ears, with the beam and the G-2's starting to separate.

[TheHunt]

THis morning there was a nice buck in the back yard.

[SHANE(WA)]

The biggest buck I ever killed, in Mid May was a nice 4x4 and 10 and 10 days later was a 5x6

[sportsman002001]

Just went out tonight and hung 3 game cameras. On my way out tonight watched a buck that had about 6 inches of growth with softballs on the end. Can't wait to see him later this summer.