I was walking around our property last night and saw three nice bucks, one of which looks like he is almost already done growing which I did not quite understand. Most of our bucks have their main beams just beginning to turn out, but this one buck has full main beams with 9 LONG tines already. Does anyone know when he must have started growing to be this far ahead of the game?

Started when he dropped last years. Sounds like he's got awesome genes and/or an excellent mineral supply.

This website may help. http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/huntwild...antler_growth/

Thanks for that website. After looking at those pictures, it seems that the buck's antler development that i saw was closet to the pic of the buck on July 9th. Maybe the deer I saw shed his antlers extra early or something.

Most larger and older bucks shed their antlers first, then start the process all over. I would say good genetics, acorns and minerals.

New antler growth does not start immediately upon the dropping of last years antlers, and age and size does not determine when a buck will drop antlers, some bucks carry their antlers until the new growth pushes them off regardless of age, size etc...

Photoperiodism along with other factors start the growth process and each buck roughly starts at the same time.

This particular buck you are refering to must have some great genetics, age or nutrition.

Im just glad mine dont drop off

i saw a show on OLN with the guy (forgot his name) from the QDMA association in New York. If i remember right he said tht antler growth will start towards the end of march april, that may 15 - JUne 15 is the peak period for growth, that by july 15 the deer will have all the points that it will have that year (except for a little added growth and width per point) and by Aug 15 they are done.

This show was based around food plotsand the examples of the antler growth wereused to show importance of early seasonfood plots, when to get them into maximize their effectiveness.

That's it! Genes, Minerals and Protien supply!

For some reason I don't think that it is the genes because his rack is not all that even. Or maybe he got injured or something which is kinda messing with it. Hopefully I will have a few pics to share come this weekend.