RE: Another question about antlers and growing potential.
Nutrition has a great deal to do with shedding and growth of antlers, but most of it is dependant upon "photoperiodism".
Photoperiodism is the amount of light that reaches the deers pituatary gland. This gland triggers most of their behaiviors and changes, including antler growth, and casting.
The amount of day-light increases well after the rut. This triggers a drop in testosterone levels, which in turn loosens the cells around the pedicle. Therefore the antler is left to either fall or be bumped off the deers head.
Larger, more dominant bucks involved in the majority of the breeding, experience a larger drop in testosterone. This causes them to drop their antlers sooner than "scrub" bucks normally.
However, as I mentioned, nutrition does have a factor as well. So less stressful winters will cause deer to retain their antlers longer too. Often times the new budding antler pushes the old antler off.
Its these years that antler growth can be impeded slightly, because of the "late" start. Although, the nutritients a deer receives during the antler growing period have more to do with it, than the length of time they have to grow them.
Hope you guys have a lil better understanding of how and why a deer drops its antlers.---Matt