Herd management is one of the most important deer hunting tips. The large antlered deer are prized among trophy hunters. The bigger the rack, the more valuable the prize. All proud hunters will swap tales of giant antlers, diameter, point count, etc. What is it that determines the size of the animal's antlers?
There are three main factors that decide the overall size of a buck's antlers.
1. Genetics
2. Diet
3. The Age of the Deer
Genetics determine how big the antlers might become. All experienced game managers or deer hunters know what is scientific truth: maximum antler size is largely determined by genetics. Sometimes, the best managed leases impose limits on how big an antler can be if it's to be harvested. A limit is put each season on genetically desirable prey and killing of genetically inferior antlered deer lets the gene pool move towards more favorable traits. Although there is some doubt regarding the benefit of these practices (effective killing of inferior antlered deer is sometimes impossible given the harvest rates to population in general), it has a genuinely good motive.
Nutrition is the next contributor to antler size. Regardless of a deer's genetic potential, it won't reach it's optimum level if it doesn't eat the right diet.
Most experienced hunters have hunted through seasons where drought has affected the food sources for the deer and the large antlered deer just weren't there. It is crucial for the deer population to receive adequate nutrition year-round if they are to reach their antler producing potential. Most antler growth takes place during the Spring and Summer months so this is the most important time. Inferior foliage growth during these months can greatly limit antler growth. Good habitat management can help alleviate the toll taken. Supplemental feedings are sometimes needed.
The last major factor to consider is age, but the age of a mature buck (3 or more years old) isn't as relevant to antler size as is diet or heredity. During the first few years, antler size potential can increase markedly, then it drops to an average rate around the fourth or sixth year of age depending on the kind of deer and its heredity. It's not recommended to kill bucks that haven't yet reached four years old. I can recall my dad's complaints when neighbors would kill a two year old buck at a nearby farm and he would sadly make exclamations such as, "That deer still had milk on its breath." It's best to allow the young bucks to mature and only harvest them afterward. If you're not able to kill a mature buck but require venison, shoot a doe. The next season's hunt will be better for it.
There are three main factors that decide the overall size of a buck's antlers.
1. Genetics
2. Diet
3. The Age of the Deer
Genetics determine how big the antlers might become. All experienced game managers or deer hunters know what is scientific truth: maximum antler size is largely determined by genetics. Sometimes, the best managed leases impose limits on how big an antler can be if it's to be harvested. A limit is put each season on genetically desirable prey and killing of genetically inferior antlered deer lets the gene pool move towards more favorable traits. Although there is some doubt regarding the benefit of these practices (effective killing of inferior antlered deer is sometimes impossible given the harvest rates to population in general), it has a genuinely good motive.
Nutrition is the next contributor to antler size. Regardless of a deer's genetic potential, it won't reach it's optimum level if it doesn't eat the right diet.
Most experienced hunters have hunted through seasons where drought has affected the food sources for the deer and the large antlered deer just weren't there. It is crucial for the deer population to receive adequate nutrition year-round if they are to reach their antler producing potential. Most antler growth takes place during the Spring and Summer months so this is the most important time. Inferior foliage growth during these months can greatly limit antler growth. Good habitat management can help alleviate the toll taken. Supplemental feedings are sometimes needed.
The last major factor to consider is age, but the age of a mature buck (3 or more years old) isn't as relevant to antler size as is diet or heredity. During the first few years, antler size potential can increase markedly, then it drops to an average rate around the fourth or sixth year of age depending on the kind of deer and its heredity. It's not recommended to kill bucks that haven't yet reached four years old. I can recall my dad's complaints when neighbors would kill a two year old buck at a nearby farm and he would sadly make exclamations such as, "That deer still had milk on its breath." It's best to allow the young bucks to mature and only harvest them afterward. If you're not able to kill a mature buck but require venison, shoot a doe. The next season's hunt will be better for it.
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