In 2002 on opening day of the 6 day buck season I had a BIG buck walk under my stand that had dropped his antlers. This deer was older not one of these 1.5 to 2.5 bucks that everyone is saying drops them early. His head was wide and square and he had to wiegh in the 270lbs range! The buttons on his head were huge! Even from a long ways away I could tell he was a buck from his head shape. Then when he got under me I saw the two raw looking buttons about the size of the bottom of a beer bottle! This was Dec 6 or 7! I don't think age is the answer. I also noticed that some deer hold there velvet a lot longer then others. I wonder why? Do the deer that drop them early start to grow them earlier the next season? I would really like to know the answers to why some drop them so early and others hold them so late! Now I have to see what I can find on the topic.