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Antler question

Discussion in 'Bowhunting Talk' started by SuperKirby, Mar 22, 2016.

  1. SuperKirby

    SuperKirby Weekend Warrior

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    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?
     
  2. pastorjim08

    pastorjim08 Legendary Woodsman

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    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
     
  3. elkguide

    elkguide Legendary Woodsman

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    It's amazing the "new world" we're finding today.
     
  4. Sota

    Sota Legendary Woodsman

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    Must be the QDMA.....
     
  5. 130Woodman

    130Woodman Grizzled Veteran

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    El Nino!
     
  6. Spear

    Spear Grizzled Veteran

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    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.

    WGI_0957.jpg
     
  7. Marauder

    Marauder Die Hard Bowhunter

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    That's incredible!
     
  8. foodplot19

    foodplot19 Grizzled Veteran

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    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.
     
  9. Whitetail

    Whitetail Die Hard Bowhunter

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    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.
     
  10. PinkPony

    PinkPony Grizzled Veteran

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    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.
     

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