The bucks around here are still sporting their racks. Is that a sign of good nutrition or is it a non-issue? I would like to think the first, but I am really guessing.
__________________
"We cannot expect the Americans to jump from capitalism to Communism, but we can assist their elected leaders in giving Americans small doses of socialism until they suddenly awake to find they have Communism" - Nikita Krushchev 1959
If by good nutrition you mean in an overall sense a winter with plenty of food and little stress, I would agree. With very hard winters (as ours in IA has been) bucks often loose thier antlers in early january, but other years I have seen many racked bucks as late as mid March. The last antlered deer I have seen was Jan 11th this year....and I have seen many deer since then.
I think all else being equal, providing plenty of nutrious food for the deer would make them keep their racks longer....but deep snow/cold temps would make them loose them earlier, regardless of what they have to eat.
I've always been told the more Breeding a Buck does the quicker he loses his rack, which is caused by a drop in testoterone. I've seen some Bucks lose their racks in Jan. and others keep theirs until April. All herein the same area, and Food is rarely a problem here, even with all the Deer we have.
We have had a colder winter than normal, but certainly not as cold as many states do regularly. Although, we did have a blizzard on Saturday![:@]
Is anyone else stillseeing racked bucks?
__________________
"We cannot expect the Americans to jump from capitalism to Communism, but we can assist their elected leaders in giving Americans small doses of socialism until they suddenly awake to find they have Communism" - Nikita Krushchev 1959
Yes stress and food is a huge factor in it. In WI we were seein bucks dropping horns in areas of low food value before x-mas yet we are still seeing afew bucks in good food areas still holding their horns right now. Alot of deer here dropped in early- mid January cuz of the colder than usual winter and high snow levels with hard ice layers in it. WCL
__________________
Twisted Tines Taxidermy
-Where your memories afield are our greatest passion-
Diamond/Bowtech: 2009 Iceman
Fish Won't Bite?? GIVE EM THE SHAFT!!!! Muzzy Bowfishing
We have had a colder winter than normal, but certainly not as cold as many states do regularly. Although, we did have a blizzard on Saturday![:@]
Is anyone else stillseeing racked bucks?
Not seeing racked bucks, but been out TONS of times and not found a shed yet...Im gettin kinda...upset...
__________________
R.I.P- Max Sawlaw - (Uncle Buddy)
Cause in the wind he's still alive. We got his spirit We got his soul. He will guide our steps, he will guide our arrows home. The restless spirit still roams.
does late antler retention = good nutrition?
