I pulled my trail cams on March 12th. As of then all the bucks showing up still had antlers. The few people i showed the pictures to all seem to think it's awful late to still have them. Is it? Does it matter?
I think with the advent of trailcams we are destroying many old myths-see peeing in scrapes. I've seen deer with antlers clear into April. I think a lot of the things we assumed were true about deer, are not. Blessings.........Pastorjim
Typically it's an indication of a healthy habitat or just a healthy buck. The pedicle will eventually push new antler growth under the existing antler and it will pop off. Nothing to worry about. I had a young buck last year hold his antlers until at least April 18th. I double and triple checked the date when I pulled the card because I couldn't believe it myself, but it was correct.
I'm in the same boat as Spear. I've seen deer with antlers during turkey season here. Our season starts the third week of April. I doesn't happen every year but I've seen it before.
I was told years ago (buy Leonard Lee Rue III) that antlers drop due to "stress". Primarily from nutrition. But age, general health and climate factor in. If deer have good food with a warm winter, antlers will stay on longer. Until the new ones start growing even. FWIW. I have found a shed in my yard on December 5th once. I saw a BIG (160"+) buck with antlers April 14th a few years back. Quite a range for northern Wisconsin.
I'm in PA - and my uncle sent me a picture of a buck (from March 12) with antlers. He's a funny looking guy.
