I would think that bucks dropping their antlers early would result from the season being later than last year calendar wise. It has to factor in to it thanksgiving 01 was nov 22 and this year it was Nov 28 so almost a week later. I am sure being that it is later in the year it had a lot to do with antlers being shed. Yes it does depend on testosterone primarily no ifs, ands or buts about that all I am saying is that with the season later in the year more people are seeing sheds and half racks due to the season being later in the year.

I just hope a few stay on for another 2 weeks or so for the smoke pole season. Don't get me wrong I have nothing against taking doe. I had 2 antlerless tags and have filled the freezer, but the excitement of a large rack working his way in is such a fun time plus thinking that I would be taking a nice large doe with the muzzleloader only to find a pair of balls would be a bit of a disappointment.

Doesn't the anterless/antlered nature of the late muzzleloading season almost violate some of the principals of the AR? No scopes limited range gun, Some/most Deer have shed antlers, How can you be certain no stubs? So there will be antlerless bucks taken that would have been legal and illegal under AR but now legal cause of no antlers at this oint in the year.Doesn't it seem to run backwards to the AR?