shockwave Posted November 29, 2006 Report Share Posted November 29, 2006 Re: Antler color question I personally think it`s the type of tree they rub on, the bucks my buddy and i shot this year are a perfect example of light and dark racks, his was shot around a stand of pine trees, mine was shot in the hardwoods, just my observation... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rhine16 Posted November 29, 2006 Report Share Posted November 29, 2006 Re: Antler color question [ QUOTE ] I'm thinking it has a lot to do with genetics instead of any other factor [/ QUOTE ] Reason being, is that pictures(through scouting cameras) and sheds have always shown that as a buck grows older his antlers will typically stay the same color. Of course they grow a bit darker in time, but they are the same basic color they were when the deer was young. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elkoholic Posted November 29, 2006 Report Share Posted November 29, 2006 Re: Antler color question One thing that I've noticed around here is that on elk, if they are pen raised or on an elk farm, the racks will almost always be a very light color. This has also been true on any of the bucks that I have seen pictures of that were pen raised. That could mean that possibly diet plays a factor in antler color, but I still lean towards the variety of trees and brush the deer are rubbing on. As for the velvet drying rate theory, I have seen deer with blood drenched velvet hanging from their antlers that ended up with almost bone white antlers in the end. I have also seen bucks with white antlers in mid September that by mid November had mysteriously turned dark brown. Also, a lot of old bucks have white antlers, and I believe that is because they do little if any rubbing. Now I'm really confused. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest buckmtn Posted November 29, 2006 Report Share Posted November 29, 2006 Re: Antler color question There has to be some high paid biologist somewhere that has spent tax payer dollars to research this, besides our specultaion. It seems as though the deep woods deer you see them kill on TV in Canada or Northern states most of the time have the dark colored antlers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
okiedog Posted November 29, 2006 Report Share Posted November 29, 2006 Re: Antler color question I read an article awhile back that said antlers from deer that live in heavy pine areas will have more of redish color. I killed a deer this year in SE Oklahoma (pines everywhere), so I went to check it out. Sure enough, those antlers were noticable more red than anything else I had. That makes me think there might be something to what trees they rub. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buckslayer Posted November 29, 2006 Report Share Posted November 29, 2006 Re: Antler color question Just an educated guess here everyone, and I'm gonna go out on a limb with this and say we're all right to some degree. I bet my next paycheck that sun bleaching occurs to a degree... what the deer is rubbing probably does stain antlers and get them dirty/sticky... minerals in food used to form the antlers has to do with it also; as well as genetics. The antler drying theory (blood staining) also makes sense, and blood does stain so maybe it does on a deer's antlers to some extent. I'd say its a combo of all suggestions you guys/gals made! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest buckmtn Posted November 30, 2006 Report Share Posted November 30, 2006 Re: Antler color question I emailed Dr. James Kroll also known as Dr. Deer you see him all the time on North American Whitetail Tv and this is what he had to say. This is an often-asked question. The coloration of a deer’s antlers is due to many factors, however the primary factor is the density of the antlers. Those that are not dense absorb more stain than those that are more dense. So, what makes a dense antler? Areas with good mineral availability, as well as higher protein feeds produce the densest antlers; while areas with poor quality feed and low mineral (particularly phosphorus) produce softer antlers. I hope this answers your question. Doc -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: josh simmers [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Thursday, November 30, 2006 11:43 AM To: [email protected] Subject: Antler coloration? Hello Dr. Kroll, My fellow hunting companions and myself have a question that needs to be anserwed before we are no longer companions! Ha! On our property that we hunt in western Virginia we have bucks that have dark choclated colored antlers and those that have lighter white colored antlers. We have mix of mountain terrain and fields and small woodlots. Is the coloration determined by genetics, minereals, trees that are rubbed on, open or deep woods, etc. Thanks for your time, Josh Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buckslayer Posted December 1, 2006 Report Share Posted December 1, 2006 Re: Antler color question Nice move Josh! Thanks for doing that! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.