Here's a little tidbit that old Bluebird knows about but has left out.

This is from Dr Krolls conclusions regarding Dr Desmaris and the Mississippi"high grading" claims

One of the flaws Dr Kroll pointed out with the Mississippi high grading theory is that often times, 1 1/2 year old bucks with inferior antlers are not genetically inferior but are merely the late born buck fawns from the previous year. IE: a buck fawn born in April of 06 will have a two month advantage over a fawn born in June of 06. By the time both bucks' antlers harden here in a few weeks, the two month older buck has benefited from a huge head start. The younger buck with the smaller rack could indeed have superior genes but we won't know that till he gets to around 4 1/2 which is the age where research has shown that late born bucks finally catch up.

Now take that little fact into consideration and rememvber that part of PA's planto harvest more does before the rut begins to make more sense. Less does available by rut time means a larger percentage gets bred in their first estrous cycle helpingto cause less late births.

Also, letting some bucks live through the concurrent gun season , provides breeding bucks for this years doe fawns who will attain the body necessary weight and come into estrous in mid December. Prior toAR's a doe coming into estrous after thebuck season was hard pressed to find a buck to breed her.

Earlier born fawns have better body weightsfor the coming winter and therefore a higher chance for survival. It's not just about antler size. It's about all around herd health.