When is PEAK generally?
 

1) in a buck's antler size

2) in a buck's weight

And this might be a long shot but just in case anyone might know: If a buck peaked say at 150", what might he be in his last year of life?

If someone had a typical growth chart, that'd be great.

RE: When is PEAK generally?
 

Short answer............... when he is 6 1/2.

RE: When is PEAK generally?
 

In MI

1.5:eek:

RE: When is PEAK generally?
 

I believe Greg is right. I know in Illinois, deer are considered mature when they are 4.5, but they probably keep growing in antler size until they are at least 6.5, though they seldom make it. As far as body weight, I'd say a buck would just get heavier and heavier until he gets sick or starts dying.

RE: When is PEAK generally?
 

In general terms.. this question is nearly impossible to answer due to so many variables which occur in the wild. Nutrition on a year to year basis can play a huge role in determining this factor.. as well as some other important pieces of his envirornment.

However.. generally speaking... and according to most biologists.. a whitetail buck's peak weight is actually at 4.5 yrs. And his peak antler size is generally at 5.5 yrs.

But again.. take these years with a grain of salt.. since so many other variables can come into play. And I've read different biologists finding slightly different results.. but these years are the norm.

(Peak is refering to the greatest gains at which weight and antler growth is achieved.. but does not neccasarily mean greatest weight and antler size.)

RE: When is PEAK generally?
 

I would believe that the meaning of "peak" would be up to the original poster (it's his thread). In this case I believe he meant heaviest weight and largest antlers. In which 6 1/2 would be closer to the truth. I know one thing, they maintain weight or gain a little more as they age, even past their prime. But, at 6 1/2 they're pretty much at their "peak" weight and antler size. Their are always exceptions to the rule.

Here's a pic of one at his peak.

RE: When is PEAK generally?
 

5.5 to 6.5 depending on variables.

Dan

RE: When is PEAK generally?
 

<----PEAK Well I hit my PEAK weight about Jan 3rd and have since lost 26lbs so I would say 41 yrs of age.:D

RE: When is PEAK generally?
 

But, has he fully matured yet??? :D;)

RE: When is PEAK generally?
 

I am not trying to contend with you on this Greg.

But understand why I stated the peak definition. Without it.. the original Q cannot be answered. Why? Because that's like saying a human is biggest at 51 yrs. old. Which as we know.. is not truth. Maybe that dude is biggest at 51 yrs... but thats just him. The Q cannot be answered unless the definition of peak is what I've already stated.

Therefore.. its important to establish just what "peak" is referrring too.

RE: When is PEAK generally?
 

:DWe will find out at the HNI get together.;)

RE: When is PEAK generally?
 

i would say most peak with antler size/ wt at 6.5....but some buck it would be 5.5 in my opinion

RE: When is PEAK generally?
 

To me I would think 6.5 on the antlers would be at his highest level.

RE: When is PEAK generally?
 

Back when we could feed deer in IL, I watched a couple bucks from year to year in the backyard.(NW 'burbs ofChicago)One 'peaked' at 4.5 or 5.5. After that he had massive bases but tine length wasn't there and he grew a bunch of little stickers. Body wise he got bigger, just not in antler.

From that same property a guy shot a net 156 5/8" eight pointer that was only 3.5 years old. He didn't have the big body just a lot of antler. I wonder if he really would have scored any better if he lived longer.

For rough generalization, I'd say 5.5 to 6.5.

RE: When is PEAK generally?
 

That is why I "re-established" the definition to more closely fit what I believe was the original intent. Why make it difficult?

I think most people think that "peak" is just that, the "top". You know, heaviest weight and largest antlers rather than when they make the largest gain. Am I wrong in thinking this?

As scientific as you want to be, why would you compare human years to deer years? Since a deer has a life span approximately 1/10 of what a human does, it is much easier to approximate the deer's "peak" With the best age for the peak of a deers life being 6 -6 1/2.

As you can see, most others are following this line of thinking.[:-]

RE: When is PEAK generally?
 

I think it's pretty circumstantial, and no matter how much you argue the best generalization is 5.5-6.5 years old.

RE: When is PEAK generally?
 

most situations i would say 5.5 or 6.5, depending on the nutrition the deer gets

RE: When is PEAK generally?
 

Ahh.. and that makes it correct?

By picking an age class like 6.5 yrs. your not saying anything. Heck.. if this is the route you choose than I'll show you MULTIPLE pics of 7.5 yr. olds who weigh and have greater antlers than 6.5 yr. olds. It may only be by 1" more of bone.. but I guess its still his "Peak".. isn't it?

By stating 6.5 yrs. you are merely taking a guess.. and nothing more. A stab at an age group does nothing.

If we are choosing that route than fine.. I'll take the rare 8.5 yr. old. Because.. lets face the facts.. his antlers and body size could be bigger than the 6.5 yr. old.

(Oh.. and the human thing I stated earlier.. thats an analogy. I'll try to slow it down better for you next time.)[8D]

RE: When is PEAK generally?
 

Greg/H, I sure hope you don't end up in another snow bank any time soon. You might have to call a tow truck this time.:D:D:D

RE: When is PEAK generally?
 

Na.. my posts are done in no harm JM. I'd still help another man out. Even if it were Greg with an H.

RE: When is PEAK generally?
 

5 1/2 to 7 1/2, I'd say in those 3 years he'll have his biggest rack. More likely 6.5 or 7.5 though, over 5.5, and 8.5 he should be on the way down but still nice/big.

As far as body weight? I'd say they peak out around 3.5 or 4.5 and don't gain much after that, just a suspicion, but once they're fully grown, now they have time to put on the big racks, rather than eat to grow in body size etc....

RE: When is PEAK generally?
 

In most cases, 6 1/2 would be correct.

By stating 6 1/2 I am not making a guess. I am only restating what I have read, studied and witnessed over many years. You see, I have studied and read what deer biologists have written also, like you.

Like I originally stated... the short answer...... is 6 1/2. Of course there can be exceptions but generally, 6 1/2 is the best single age for top antler size and body weight.

You go right ahead and wait for that rare 8 1/2 year old buck! LMAO!! I hope I'm still alive when you get him! You go Mike! Talk about taking a stab, wow! I wonder how many 5 1/2, 6 1/2 and (if you're lucky) 7 1/2 year old bucks you'd go through before you'd see an 8 1/2!!?? [:-]

As for your analogy, in case you missed it, I'll talk real slow........

I brought it back to deer, to prevent you from confusing people. [8D]


BTW, I'm all for seeing the multiple pics you have of the peak 7 1/2s. Like I said, there are always exceptions. I may even be able to locate some peaked out 8 or 9 year olds, but I'd have to sift through scores of 6 year olds to do it!

Good try though

RE: When is PEAK generally?
 

Got stuck the very next week! [&o]

But I was preparred this time. Do I appear to be a slow learner? Is it my age?? LMAO!

BTW, the snow is on it's way out. We lost a lot of depth the last few weels.

RE: When is PEAK generally?
 

No No No No!!!

I meant what time of the year does he peak in antler size and weight. You know, as in which month? All this bio-illogical talk for nothing! LOL I'm jk, I meant what you answered. But hey, did I have you going?

Thanks for the replies guys and gal. I thought it was about 5.5 but now I see it's closer to 6.5

RE: When is PEAK generally?
 

One more thing...

Anyone know about how much, either in weight or antler size, does a buck lose each year after peak? The reason I'm asking really is because I have my heart set on a booner I saw in January and I'm hoping that if he peaked this passed season that the loss next year wont be too much.

RE: When is PEAK generally?
 

Someday I will get through to you Greg.

You may be a excellent deer hunter. But your reasoning "lacks" as usual.[8D]

RE: When is PEAK generally?
 

Duke, first you must catch up. Take a look around and see what most of the other posters are saying. You'll find that it is your reasoning that is lacking, as usual. ;)

RE: When is PEAK generally?
 

I'm with GERM on this one, In Mi. it's around a year and a half.
Anything with 130" (which is way over standard for here) of bone on the head gets an arrow in it around my place, regardless of what it weighs or how many teeth it still has in it's mouth:D.

RE: When is PEAK generally?
 

Here you go chief. Just one of the many articles on the subject one can find.

I don't care if 1,000 people backed you.[8D] In most cases 5.5 would be closer.

Although once again.. none of this matters. Nutrition plays such a huge role. Heck.. its believed that the Hanson buck is only 3.5 yrs. Maybe that was his peak.

The point is.. I'm not even sure what I'm arguing about anymore. I don't care. I'm out.. I gots sheds to find.

peace.



http://www.whitetaildeer-management-and-hunting.com/whitetail-deer-facts.html

RE: When is PEAK generally?
 

I got one too Duke, I guess you can find any answer you want if you look hard enough. ;)


Does a buck deer keep the same set of antlers each year?

No. A buck grows a new set of antlers (not horns) each summer. The size of the antlers depends primarily upon the quality and quantity of food the buck eats and his age. The more nutritious the food and the more there is of it during the antler-growing season, the better his antlers will be. With favorable conditions, antler size and spread will increase with deer age. After the sixth year, however, antlers usually decline in size due to the deer’s inability to properly chew and digest food.

From Texas Parks and Wildlife


BTW, I'd still like to see your multiple pics of the "...at their peak 7 1/2s " you said you'd show me.

RE: When is PEAK generally?
 

I've been able to watch a number of Bucks in captivity. I really don't think there is a wrong or right answer. It depends on TOO MANY Variables. I have seen Bucks that had their biggest rack at 5.5, at 6.5, and in one case I can remember at 7.5. That's the reason I had stated earlier in this thread that 5.5 to 6.5 was where they peakdepending on the variables. I was just playing the percentages because most I have seen peak in those 2 years.

Pay me No mind, back to your fruitless chest pounding, and arguing.

Dan

RE: When is PEAK generally?
 

I can tell you one thing ... It isnt when he's considered "mature" LMAO ... at 3.5 [8D][8D][8D]

6.5 for over all weight and antlerdevelopment....like Greg said, would be my "GENERAL" answer if I had to pick "a" year! at 6.5 they are HVY bodied and about as massive and prime in antler as they are gonna get.. sure many variables fall into play here, but I am not talking about some steriod fed farmed raised deer ...

If I get a "range" to choose from, I'd go with Mean V as well.. 5.5-7.5 ...