Comments on: Stages of Antler Development in White-tailed Deer http://www.buckmanager.com/2008/05/20/stages-of-antler-development-in-white-tailed-deer/ Deer Hunting and Habitat Management Tue, 07 Feb 2012 14:05:17 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Buck Manager http://www.buckmanager.com/2008/05/20/stages-of-antler-development-in-white-tailed-deer/comment-page-1/#comment-8249 Buck Manager Sat, 21 Jan 2012 22:19:43 +0000 http://www.buckmanager.com/2008/05/20/stages-of-antler-development-in-white-tailed-deer/#comment-8249 Troy, the majority of 4 and 6 point bucks should have 8 points the following year, assuming the bucks you are seeing now are 1 1/2 years old. No doubt about it, feeding feeds high in protein will help antler growth, just make sure you have a plan before throwing a bunch of feed/money at them. If the buck to doe ratio is not where it needs to be, most of the feed will go towards does and fawn production. And that is okay if that's your plan. Troy, the majority of 4 and 6 point bucks should have 8 points the following year, assuming the bucks you are seeing now are 1 1/2 years old. No doubt about it, feeding feeds high in protein will help antler growth, just make sure you have a plan before throwing a bunch of feed/money at them. If the buck to doe ratio is not where it needs to be, most of the feed will go towards does and fawn production. And that is okay if that’s your plan.

]]> By: Troy Salmon http://www.buckmanager.com/2008/05/20/stages-of-antler-development-in-white-tailed-deer/comment-page-1/#comment-8234 Troy Salmon Sat, 21 Jan 2012 04:24:19 +0000 http://www.buckmanager.com/2008/05/20/stages-of-antler-development-in-white-tailed-deer/#comment-8234 My Dad's ranch in Texas has a lot of 4 and 6 point deer on it. How long will it be before the 6 points and the 4 point will become either 8 or 10 point deer? Also is there any thing we can do to promote antler growth? I have heard that feeding them with certain foods will accelerate antler growth. Thanks. My Dad’s ranch in Texas has a lot of 4 and 6 point deer on it. How long will it be before the 6 points and the 4 point will become either 8 or 10 point deer? Also is there any thing we can do to promote antler growth? I have heard that feeding them with certain foods will accelerate antler growth. Thanks.

]]> By: Buck Manager http://www.buckmanager.com/2008/05/20/stages-of-antler-development-in-white-tailed-deer/comment-page-1/#comment-7778 Buck Manager Wed, 21 Dec 2011 15:15:36 +0000 http://www.buckmanager.com/2008/05/20/stages-of-antler-development-in-white-tailed-deer/#comment-7778 Dave, yes a yearling buck with 5 points will more than likely have at least 8 points, maybe even more. The majority of bucks will be at least 8 points by the time they are 2 to 3 years old, but the more points at buck has as a yearling (1.5 years old) the more potential it has down the road. Yearling antler quality is as good an indicator as we have for future antler potential. If a buck has only 8 points at 3 years old, the odds are that he will not gain points. A really good deer, antler-wise, should have 10 or more points at 3 years of age. What you shoot or don't shoot depends on your management goals. Dave, yes a yearling buck with 5 points will more than likely have at least 8 points, maybe even more. The majority of bucks will be at least 8 points by the time they are 2 to 3 years old, but the more points at buck has as a yearling (1.5 years old) the more potential it has down the road. Yearling antler quality is as good an indicator as we have for future antler potential. If a buck has only 8 points at 3 years old, the odds are that he will not gain points. A really good deer, antler-wise, should have 10 or more points at 3 years of age. What you shoot or don’t shoot depends on your management goals.

]]> By: Dave http://www.buckmanager.com/2008/05/20/stages-of-antler-development-in-white-tailed-deer/comment-page-1/#comment-7749 Dave Tue, 20 Dec 2011 20:33:05 +0000 http://www.buckmanager.com/2008/05/20/stages-of-antler-development-in-white-tailed-deer/#comment-7749 I was curious if a 1.5 year old buck that is a 5 point, meaning 3 on one and 2 on the other, has potential to become a nice 8 or 10 point. Plus does it reflect anything on the potential growth if the young buck has no brow tines at this early stage of antler growth. Also, if a 3 year old is an eight what are the odds for him getting bigger and better. I guess I'm wanting to know if they are shooters or not right now. Thanks. I was curious if a 1.5 year old buck that is a 5 point, meaning 3 on one and 2 on the other, has potential to become a nice 8 or 10 point. Plus does it reflect anything on the potential growth if the young buck has no brow tines at this early stage of antler growth. Also, if a 3 year old is an eight what are the odds for him getting bigger and better. I guess I’m wanting to know if they are shooters or not right now. Thanks.

]]> By: Buck Manager http://www.buckmanager.com/2008/05/20/stages-of-antler-development-in-white-tailed-deer/comment-page-1/#comment-6052 Buck Manager Mon, 14 Nov 2011 14:00:26 +0000 http://www.buckmanager.com/2008/05/20/stages-of-antler-development-in-white-tailed-deer/#comment-6052 Jay, the answer to your question is no. A buck fawn will not develop antlers the same year in which it was born. The fawn will produce two nubs on the top of its head where the antlers will be in the future, but these do not develop into hardened antler material. In fact, buck fawns, which are somewhere around 6 months old during hunting season, are commonly mistaken for does by hunters. A buck begins growing its first set of antlers during the late Spring following the year it was born, when the buck is almost 1 year of age. They commonly develop two to eight points. A buck with it's first set of antlers is called a yearling buck and is about 1 1/2 years old during hunting season. Jay, the answer to your question is no. A buck fawn will not develop antlers the same year in which it was born. The fawn will produce two nubs on the top of its head where the antlers will be in the future, but these do not develop into hardened antler material. In fact, buck fawns, which are somewhere around 6 months old during hunting season, are commonly mistaken for does by hunters.

A buck begins growing its first set of antlers during the late Spring following the year it was born, when the buck is almost 1 year of age. They commonly develop two to eight points. A buck with it’s first set of antlers is called a yearling buck and is about 1 1/2 years old during hunting season.

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