Stress is the biggest factor when they shed. Stress from rut, weather, climate, amount of available food, hunting pressure (man or predators) and length of breeding season will determine when most bucks drop. Photoperiodism may play a very small part but is more of a factor when they start growing their rack, when the rack hardens in the fall and when most of the older does come in heat (main rut). External conditions effect bucks shedding and length of breeding season.

Depending on our winters, they have started shedding as early as the middle of December in tough winters where in mild winters like the last few we have had, we have seen the older main rutting bucks carrying into April. Photoperiodism can't explain that. External conditions can.

Stress does affect the size of the rack as it is growing. Example of this would be a drought/lack of food or coming off a tough winter in poor shape. External conditions plays a big role in a life of a deer and effects more then most think.

Tim