Originally Posted by
Steve863
I would agree that in more advanced age some mutations could occur. Even in humans there have been theories that older parents can contribute to downs syndrome, autism and various other things in their offsprings.
However, I think mighty little will be different in a 1.5 year old buck compared to a 3.5 year old. The point you try to make about breeders waiting for bucks to age does not apply in a wild herd. I don't think too many wild deer are effected by the relatively few food plots out there with any of these deer supplement concoctions some landowners put out in hopes of getting deer to grow bigger antlers.
As others have mentioned, if anything the genetically inferior bucks are given the chance to live and procreate for another year or more with AR's. The small 6 or 8 point 1.5 to 2.5 year old will surely be shot at first sight so his better genetics in actuality will be procreating for a shorter period of time.
I would think there was a perfect age for breeding to produce the best genetics possible.
I also think that if a 2.5 yr old that had only a 6 up on his head would only have a six osprey at 2.5. Now if that 6 could mature to a 4.5 and become a 10 point, his 2.5 osprey would be an 8 and not a 6 I believe.
If your skinny and breed and have a child,that child will most likely be skinny. Now if you worked out and ate alot,that changes your DNA. Now if you had another child,the child would have your new DNA and be more like you are now.Not skinny but more athletic built as he matured faster at a younger age.
That make sense?