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Author Topic: about when do we start to see the deer growing antlers??  (Read 3871 times)

Offline backwoods_boy

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about when do we start to see the deer growing antlers??
« on: May 11, 2009, 02:03:56 PM »
just wondering how soon we start to see deer sprouting antlers.
i know the elk are already started but when do the deer start?
 :dunno:

Offline jackelope

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Re: about when do we start to see the deer growing antlers??
« Reply #1 on: May 11, 2009, 02:13:19 PM »
they're already started.
:fire.:

" In today's instant gratification society, more and more pressure revolves around success and the measurement of one's prowess as a hunter by inches on a score chart or field photos produced on social media. Don't fall into the trap. Hunting is-and always will be- about the hunt, the adventure, the views, and time spent with close friends and family. " Ryan Hatfield

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gutsnthegrass

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Re: about when do we start to see the deer growing antlers??
« Reply #2 on: May 11, 2009, 02:21:34 PM »
I've seen a couple small bucks with nubs already.

Offline DOUBLELUNG

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Re: about when do we start to see the deer growing antlers??
« Reply #3 on: May 11, 2009, 02:48:02 PM »
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.
As long as we have the habitat, we can argue forever about who gets to kill what and when.  No habitat = no game.

Offline teal101

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Re: about when do we start to see the deer growing antlers??
« Reply #4 on: May 11, 2009, 02:55:07 PM »
Already seen one with 2" nubs starting.

Offline jackelope

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Re: about when do we start to see the deer growing antlers??
« Reply #5 on: May 11, 2009, 02:55:47 PM »
i've seen a blacktail that was already forked.
:fire.:

" In today's instant gratification society, more and more pressure revolves around success and the measurement of one's prowess as a hunter by inches on a score chart or field photos produced on social media. Don't fall into the trap. Hunting is-and always will be- about the hunt, the adventure, the views, and time spent with close friends and family. " Ryan Hatfield

My posts, opinions and statements do not represent those of this forum

Offline backwoods_boy

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Re: about when do we start to see the deer growing antlers??
« Reply #6 on: May 11, 2009, 03:46:05 PM »
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!

Offline Caseyd

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Re: about when do we start to see the deer growing antlers??
« Reply #7 on: May 11, 2009, 03:58:29 PM »
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.

Offline huntnphool

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Re: about when do we start to see the deer growing antlers??
« Reply #8 on: May 11, 2009, 04:04:38 PM »
The things that come to those who wait, may be the things left by those who got there first!

Offline cabin308

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Re: about when do we start to see the deer growing antlers??
« Reply #9 on: May 11, 2009, 04:14:56 PM »
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,




Offline backwoods_boy

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Re: about when do we start to see the deer growing antlers??
« Reply #10 on: May 11, 2009, 04:15:36 PM »
just wanna see this on the cam....
« Last Edit: May 11, 2009, 06:36:12 PM by backwoods_boy »

Offline jjhunter

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Re: about when do we start to see the deer growing antlers??
« Reply #11 on: May 11, 2009, 04:22:16 PM »
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.

Offline TheHunt

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Re: about when do we start to see the deer growing antlers??
« Reply #12 on: May 11, 2009, 08:40:02 PM »
THis morning there was a nice buck in the back yard.
275 down 2

Offline SHANE(WA)

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Re: about when do we start to see the deer growing antlers??
« Reply #13 on: May 12, 2009, 12:15:03 AM »
The biggest buck I ever killed, in Mid May was a nice 4x4 and 10 and 10 days later was a 5x6

Offline sportsman002001

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Re: about when do we start to see the deer growing antlers??
« Reply #14 on: May 12, 2009, 09:09:48 PM »
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.

 


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