Sometimes, the most useful deer hunting tips have to do with herd management. To prize hunters, the goal is to harvest a deer with big antlers. We aspire to one day get that huge rack. All of us hear about and tell each other tales of huge antlers; points, spread, diameter, length of tine... However, do you know what really makes a difference in regards to antler size?
There are three main things that can influence buck antler size:
1. Heredity
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.
Professional hunters have each gone through seasons with drought that's affected the natural food sources for deer, and they haven't found any with large antlers. In order for the deer population to realize it's complete antler producing potential, it has to have a proper diet all year long. Summer and spring diets are the most vital since the majority of antler growth really happens during those seasons. Bad forage conditions throughout this time can negatively effect antler growth. Good habitat management will help promote healthy nutritional options. Sometimes, it's necessary to implement additional feeding.
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 things that can influence buck antler size:
1. Heredity
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.
Professional hunters have each gone through seasons with drought that's affected the natural food sources for deer, and they haven't found any with large antlers. In order for the deer population to realize it's complete antler producing potential, it has to have a proper diet all year long. Summer and spring diets are the most vital since the majority of antler growth really happens during those seasons. Bad forage conditions throughout this time can negatively effect antler growth. Good habitat management will help promote healthy nutritional options. Sometimes, it's necessary to implement additional feeding.
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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