Why so many bucks with broken up racks
 

Just got a bunch of pictures of bucks from a place I lease. Half of the bucks in the photos have broken points or one whole side is gone. The question I have is why this is happening.....I know thatmost are breaking them off from fighting. The thing is that as I look back at all the pictures I have of this place, five years worth. I notice that by the end of November, 75 percent of all the bucks are broke up. This includes alot of small bucks....1 1/2 year olds. Someone told me that the reason this is happing in that area, is because there is not a dominate buck and all the smaller bucks are fighting.But, I do have pics. of some dandys, so I don't quite believe this. What I'm asking, is for some insight into why this might be happening? (not enough does, to many small bucks,etc.....) The property gets lightly hunted.
I have another property that gets hunted quite hard and I hardly see any broken racks there.

RE: Why so many bucks with broken up racks
 

Could there be a mineral deficiency making thier racks a little weak? This may cause them to break easier during fighting.

I don't know if that's possible, just asking.

RE: Why so many bucks with broken up racks
 

See it all the time this time of year. Nothing uncomon.

RE: Why so many bucks with broken up racks
 

You sure it is from fighting, not from rubbing velvet?

RE: Why so many bucks with broken up racks
 

I don't see too much of that, here. I also don't see too much fighting.

I have a "theory".....and it's just that. Here goes...

I think we see more of this in areas that have a better buck:doe ratio. The bucks here have NO reason to fight. Is this plausible?

RE: Why so many bucks with broken up racks
 

YES Good point!!!

RE: Why so many bucks with broken up racks
 

They are all hard breaks. I understand that there are alot of bucks with broken points this time of year. But normally the bigger ones are the ones busted up, from the kick ass fights they have.

RE: Why so many bucks with broken up racks
 

The other place I hunt has a better buck:doe ratio than this place and I don't see near as many busted up racks there. This place has about a 1:2 1/2 ratio.

RE: Why so many bucks with broken up racks
 

1:2????? That's AWESOME!!

Mine is way south of that!

RE: Why so many bucks with broken up racks
 

I agree with all the above. Sounds like you have a great buck to doe ratio which makes for great hunting...... BUT.. you have maya mineral deficiency problem.

RE: Why so many bucks with broken up racks
 

You got a couple of big boys out there bustin up those little racks andthat buck doe ratio probably has them fighting feircly and heavily. I think a mineral deficiency would affect antler development so personally I rule that out.

RE: Why so many bucks with broken up racks
 

They probably need better minerals. If you don't have the minerals you need your bones get brittle. Deer antlers are really just bone.

RE: Why so many bucks with broken up racks
 

It's the buck/doe ratio, cause for intense competition between bucks of all ages. I start seeing the same thing after about Nov. 5th in my areas.

RE: Why so many bucks with broken up racks
 

Yup same here. We have property that has very few broken racks, but many many does. We also have a property with many broken racks. Ratio very close to 1:1. Both heavily managed properties. Just too many does to deal with on the first.

RE: Why so many bucks with broken up racks
 

If they are walking with hunched up shoulders and look like an old lady walking I would recommendthe addition of calcium to their diets.

RE: Why so many bucks with broken up racks
 

I have seen this for many years down in the mountains that we hunt for regular season. Down around Ridgway. I have taken alot of bucks down there over the years and most had a broken tine or two. There have always been lots of does down there until recently so I'm thinking diet has alot to do with it.