Antlers dropping already?

I got pics of this buck in my backyard 3 nights in a row. As you can see he has already lost both sides. Not sure if he is shedding already or lost them due to the arrow/slug wound below his spine. I went out to try and find the sheds yesterday before we get nailed with snow but no luck.

http://forums.bowhunting.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=4430&stc=1&d=1292173618
http://forums.bowhunting.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=4431&stc=1&d=1292173813
http://forums.bowhunting.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=4432&stc=1&d=1292173864
http://forums.bowhunting.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=4433&stc=1&d=1292173906

 

Same here. I've got a few younger bucks and 1 mature buck on camera that have shed either both or a side, already.

I read, can't recall where, that pressure(hunters and wildlife prey), and stress(from pressure and lack of food), and physical stress(from rutting and such) can cause a deer to shed his antlers quicker.

I also read, that once testosterone levels begin to return to normal, after peak rutting activity, they will shed.

I dont subscribe to the stress and pressure theory. The physiological changes from a drop is testosterone, I believe.

The one farm I'm hunting, where I have the shed bucks, is a beautiful piece of land. It's only about 150acres, but, it's got the perfect balance of deer, food and cover. It's on the edge of a semi urban town. Deer have daily interaction with humans, mostly in backyards, daily.

There are a few coyotes on this piece, but, not an overwhelming presence. I'm the only one hunting them. So the pressure does not exist. Food is abundant. Our winters are cold, but, easily survivable to a whitetail, compared to say upper mid-west. The rut on and around this piece was up and down, but I watched bucks feed every day I hunted it.

So, I'm more inclined to believe that physiological changes have more of a contribution to THESE deer shedding already.

 

I shot an 11 pointer on thursday and found a 4 point shed also.

 

It's that time of year. I've found them in late Dec. when I lived in IL.

 

Preacher Tony shot a deer with the gun the other day and it turned out to be a shedded buck (he thought it was a doe). It did have a shot front leg. We were thinking it possibly shed early because of the rut, stress and injury.

Sal

 

Yes I saw that. I was thinking this was a similar situation.

 

i seen a show once that it's hormone based, when the hormone levels drop so do the antlers, according them they can be solidly attached one day and fall off the next....but i dunno.
that buck looks like he's lucky to be alive!