Why I ask, is that I have a couple pixs of a dandy buck about 6 weeks apart. By the antlers I believe it is the same deer...but he has really gained some weight and filled out. So the question is, how much weight can a deer gain in 1-1/2 months? Thanks, MOBU
Technically, I don't know. I've notice the same around here. This time of year they are walking vaccum cleanners. Some crops still standing, acorns everywhere, and not to mention food plots. I saw a spike the other day that looked like he gained 25lbs. Packing on the fat for winter/rut. Bucks really build muscle by sparring, shredding trees. I'd say it's probably the same buck. If not you got two dandy bucks! I read an article in outdoorlife that said deer can gain 20-25% of their body weight between Aug 15-Oct 15. Hope this helps
These are all the same buck from one summer (B) to fall (A) to the following summer (C). His body weight changes a ton from August to November!
OH my word, deer can consume this time of year a ton! Various studies show a whitetail deer can on average consume anywhere from 5-10 pounds of food a day...this time of year is one of the times they are towards if not at and pushing beyond the 10 for some. Given that no thought to breeding is occurring yet...well some may be but it hasn't led to burning calories due to it, the deer are consuming far more than they are burning and putting weight on fast...some times crazy fast.
