Why so many bucks with broken up racks

PYbuckhunter · 11-13-2007, 12:26 PM

Just got a bunch of pictures of bucks from a place I lease. Half of the bucks in the photos have broken points or one whole side is gone. The question I have is why this is happening.....I know thatmost are breaking them off from fighting. The thing is that as I look back at all the pictures I have of this place, five years worth. I notice that by the end of November, 75 percent of all the bucks are broke up. This includes alot of small bucks....1 1/2 year olds. Someone told me that the reason this is happing in that area, is because there is not a dominate buck and all the smaller bucks are fighting.But, I do have pics. of some dandys, so I don't quite believe this. What I'm asking, is for some insight into why this might be happening? (not enough does, to many small bucks,etc.....) The property gets lightly hunted.
I have another property that gets hunted quite hard and I hardly see any broken racks there.

rybohunter · 11-13-2007, 12:28 PM

Could there be a mineral deficiency making thier racks a little weak? This may cause them to break easier during fighting.

I don't know if that's possible, just asking.

gplant · 11-13-2007, 12:28 PM

See it all the time this time of year. Nothing uncomon.

TeeJay · 11-13-2007, 12:30 PM

You sure it is from fighting, not from rubbing velvet?

GMMAT · 11-13-2007, 12:39 PM

I don't see too much of that, here. I also don't see too much fighting.

I have a "theory".....and it's just that. Here goes...

I think we see more of this in areas that have a better buck:doe ratio. The bucks here have NO reason to fight. Is this plausible?

gplant · 11-13-2007, 12:43 PM

Quote:

ORIGINAL: GMMAT

I don't see too much of that, here. I also don't see too much fighting.

I have a "theory".....and it's just that. Here goes...

I think we see more of this in areas that have a better buck:doe ratio. The bucks here have NO reason to fight. Is this plausible?

YES Good point!!!

PYbuckhunter · 11-13-2007, 12:44 PM

They are all hard breaks. I understand that there are alot of bucks with broken points this time of year. But normally the bigger ones are the ones busted up, from the kick ass fights they have.

PYbuckhunter · 11-13-2007, 01:46 PM

The other place I hunt has a better buck:doe ratio than this place and I don't see near as many busted up racks there. This place has about a 1:2 1/2 ratio.

GMMAT · 11-13-2007, 01:52 PM

1:2????? That's AWESOME!!

Mine is way south of that!

davidmil · 11-13-2007, 02:31 PM

I agree with all the above. Sounds like you have a great buck to doe ratio which makes for great hunting...... BUT.. you have maya mineral deficiency problem.