Hunting Washington Forum

Big Game Hunting => Deer Hunting => Topic started by: Mallardmasher on June 01, 2018, 07:59:17 PM


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Title: Antler growth
Post by: Mallardmasher on June 01, 2018, 07:59:17 PM
How long in your area do you see antler growth
Title: Re: Antler growth
Post by: Alan K on June 01, 2018, 08:01:39 PM
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.
Title: Re: Antler growth
Post by: fishnfur on June 01, 2018, 08:24:34 PM
That sounds about right to me too.  What have you observed MMasher?
Title: Re: Antler growth
Post by: Mallardmasher on June 02, 2018, 12:15:12 AM
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.
Title: Re: Antler growth
Post by: fishnfur on June 02, 2018, 01:45:35 PM
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.
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