Here is a quote from from Kroll's study.
MANAGEMENT IMPLICATIONS Our results suggest there is no predictable relationshipbetween a male's first set of antlers and those produced atmaturity in a free-living environment. For unexplainedreasons, it appears to take some animals more time to manifest their antler growth potential
I think it is you that is beating a dead horse, just because you don't know how to ride the horse you chose.