Has it always been?
 

Maybe it's just me but the last few years it seems the bucks are keeping their racks on later into the year.I swear back in the 80,s and 70,s some bucks would already have dropped by doe season.Now lateley I'm seeing racks in late March.
Also it seems gobblers are gobbling earlier.I know they can and will gobble anytime of the year but I'm talking increased spring gobbling.
Are the critters going nuts or am I going nuts?
OK I know I may be nuts but what about the critters?
Any opinions out there in the wild northeast?

RE: Has it always been?
 

Last year the first day of the shotgun season in NJ Dec. 5or6or7 I had a buck walk under my stand that had already dropped his head gear! He had two big raw looking nubs on his head! That same year I saw a big 8 point in the middle of March and this year I saw an antlered buck last week! Go figure????

RE: Has it always been?
 

I.m going nuts, Dont know about anyone else.Seen 12 turkeys this week in my yard. But I have no desire to shoot turkeys. I went outside and when they seen me they ran toward me for food.

RE: Has it always been?
 

Can I bring you along next time i go hunting?
just have to stand there as a decoy

RE: Has it always been?
 

Just this past Sunday, my nephew's wife saw the huge 14 point that's been living around here standing next to my driveway and he still had both sides of his rack. That was Easter Sunday. Last fall I saw all kinds of rubs and scrapes plus other rut-type behavior in mid September.

RE: Has it always been?
 

Generally - healthier deer hold their antlers longer. Maybe your herd is going through a healthy transition:)

I remember 20 yrs ago an 8point in March one year.

I also have had years when we took shed antlered bucks as does in early December.

FH

RE: Has it always been?
 

my dad knows a guy in last week of gun season (,lastweek in nov) shot two "doe" that came by...tracks them flips em over and they had balls one had the red marks from them recently falling

RE: Has it always been?
 

I loved how you left us know how he knew it was a buck.:):D

RE: Has it always been?
 

The fact that bucks in our area are hanging onto their antlers longer, is actually a good thing. As farm hunter said, this is an indication that the herd is healthier than it was in the past. A deer's body takes all nutrients first, and its antlers are secondary. The longer they hold onto their antlers, the healthier they are.

RE: Has it always been?
 

anytime bullmoose