Guest kk9fan Posted November 17, 2005 Report Share Posted November 17, 2005 I hear alot of different "opinions" on Antler Growth. Most of the stories are exactly that, just stories. But I think I heard a whopper this past weekend. I' m curious to know what you guy's & girls think of it. This guy said that as Bucks get older, their Antler size and count gets smaller. What brought up the conversation was because a guiy in our group harvested a huge 9point. last year Field Dressed at 268/lbs. But he was an old deer, he looked pretty beat up on his body. And this guy Pipes up and says He was probably a nice 14point at one time. Yeah, we all gave him the same look you guys are probably giving me right now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rockefeller66 Posted November 17, 2005 Report Share Posted November 17, 2005 Re: Antler Question for ya! I hear ya!!!!!!! I love how my roommate will see a big buck on TV and it will be a huge typical 8 or 9 pointer that would score like 150-160, then he'll shout out, "that is huge, probably like a 15, right?" I just look at him, what do you mean, he is probably a 15 pointer right? he'll say. Then i have to explain to him how not every buck gets 10, 14, 32 points adn how to compare a deer's rack you look at the score! I have told him this about a million times and he is just like whatever, all anyone looks at is the points!!!!! Or another thing is funny when I shot my big typical 10 pointer this year my dad makes the comment, he probably would have been a typical 12 pointer, i don't think they realize that bucks the are mature don't just put on a take off point just like that!!!!! Oh well, i still enjoy hunting and gotta laugh when people make these comments!!!!! I don't think that guy really knew what he was talking about, just like my roommate, just what he was raised and told and was told wrong his whole life, oh well Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VtBowhunter Posted November 17, 2005 Report Share Posted November 17, 2005 Re: Antler Question for ya! There is some truth in deer losing antler size in old age, but I wouldn't think it would be enough to cause a 14 point to become a 9 point in a couple years time. From what I've seen they tend to lose mass not points. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Texan_Til_I_Die Posted November 17, 2005 Report Share Posted November 17, 2005 Re: Antler Question for ya! Antler decline in older deer is a perfectly normal result of tooth wear and the corresponding inability to intake food combined with the stresses they face each year from their seasonal activities. If the deer are in a captive environment and have a free choice supplemental feeding source, the decline is much less noticeable. I don't think there's any way to look at a really old deer and determine what his past antler growth was like, just that at one point in time he was probably considerably larger. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rut-Nut Posted November 17, 2005 Report Share Posted November 17, 2005 Re: Antler Question for ya! I have heard that from a biologist. If the deer live long enough, they will all start to get smaller racks. I think Texan hit the nail on the head. It would be hard to find out how much in wild deer! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest generallee Posted November 17, 2005 Report Share Posted November 17, 2005 Re: Antler Question for ya! I believe there is a good bit of truth behind this. Ive heard it from numerous people, and read it in magazines. It makes sense to me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tominator Posted November 17, 2005 Report Share Posted November 17, 2005 Re: Antler Question for ya! [ QUOTE ] Antler decline in older deer is a perfectly normal result of tooth wear and the corresponding inability to intake food combined with the stresses they face each year from their seasonal activities. If the deer are in a captive environment and have a free choice supplemental feeding source, the decline is much less noticeable. I don't think there's any way to look at a really old deer and determine what his past antler growth was like, just that at one point in time he was probably considerably larger. [/ QUOTE ] Ditto. Buckmasters did a photo essay on a few bucks that were in captivity. It was interesting. Thing is, we never see it as hunters because of a few factors, namely, most deer never reach 6 or 7 years in the wild. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leo Posted November 17, 2005 Report Share Posted November 17, 2005 Re: Antler Question for ya! [ QUOTE ] [ QUOTE ] Antler decline in older deer is a perfectly normal result of tooth wear and the corresponding inability to intake food combined with the stresses they face each year from their seasonal activities. If the deer are in a captive environment and have a free choice supplemental feeding source, the decline is much less noticeable. I don't think there's any way to look at a really old deer and determine what his past antler growth was like, just that at one point in time he was probably considerably larger. [/ QUOTE ] Ditto. Buckmasters did a photo essay on a few bucks that were in captivity. It was interesting. Thing is, we never see it as hunters because of a few factors, namely, most deer never reach 6 or 7 years in the wild. [/ QUOTE ] For what's it's worth in my experience diet and nutrition can play an enormous part in this phenomena. If the diet is pathetic and forage lacking in proper nutrients and minerals, a deer can appear to decline far earlier in life than 6 or 7. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest littlered Posted November 17, 2005 Report Share Posted November 17, 2005 Re: Antler Question for ya! [ QUOTE ] There is some truth in deer losing antler size in old age, but I wouldn't think it would be enough to cause a 14 point to become a 9 point in a couple years time. From what I've seen they tend to lose mass not points. [/ QUOTE ] i have found this to be true on the deer that do survive and i have seen year after year around my place Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhunt Posted November 18, 2005 Report Share Posted November 18, 2005 Re: Antler Question for ya! [ QUOTE ] Antler decline in older deer is a perfectly normal result of tooth wear and the corresponding inability to intake food combined with the stresses they face each year from their seasonal activities. If the deer are in a captive environment and have a free choice supplemental feeding source, the decline is much less noticeable. I don't think there's any way to look at a really old deer and determine what his past antler growth was like, just that at one point in time he was probably considerably larger. [/ QUOTE ] Yep, that is what I have read and heard too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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