Comments on: When Do White-tailed Bucks Shed Their Antlers

By: Buck Manager

Buck Manager — Sat, 07 Jan 2012 15:24:35 +0000

Christine, there are many factors that can impact the annual antler cycle. Habitat conditions combined with an individual deer’s body condition can play a big role in antler growth. Also, food availability can cause deer to enter the rut earlier than normal or start later usual. I suspect environmental conditions and habitat in your area were better than normal this year. Did your area get a lot of rain in late summer or have an especially large, early acorn crop?

By: Christine Neal

Christine Neal — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 03:34:04 +0000

I’m from Meigs, Ohio, and on December 19 I found a huge shed. It kinda threw me off because it’s so early, but I went to a deer ranch today and all but three of his bucks has lost their horns. I’m lost lol. I shed hunt every year, but why did they fall off so early? Is it the weather? The rut came in early to this year?

By: Joe Marman

Joe Marman — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 04:57:31 +0000

But no one has answered the question as to “why” exactly does the buck lose his horns each year? It seems to be a tremendous use of body energy to create a new set of antlers each year. Why not just save them for next year?

By: Luka

Luka — Sun, 04 Dec 2011 18:04:03 +0000

I find antlers all the time. But animals like porcupine, and every other type of rodent out there, likes to chew on them to get the calcium out of the bones. Wolves, coyotes and domesticated dogs like to chew them, as well, so they don’t last too long unless they’re in an inconspicuous place.

By: Laura Everitt

Laura Everitt — Sun, 28 Aug 2011 06:20:21 +0000

I know that in New Jersey you are limited on bucks. I think, and don’t quote me, for bow and extended bow season you have to show a doe before you can shoot a buck, and same with rifle. Muzzle loader I’m not sure, but the problem with this is you can get a permit for each section of the hunting season and I feel that if you by one of the sections you can not purchase any other. But that is how New Jersey deals with their deer population. New Jersey is a VERY backwards state. There are also zones that can not be hunted on as for sake of the lower population.