Antler growth?

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PredatorTC
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Antler growth?

Unread postby PredatorTC » Wed Jul 18, 2012 3:55 pm

I had someone tell me today that the deer antelrs will not be reaching full potential this year because of the drought. What are your thoughts on this?


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Re: Antler growth?

Unread postby Dewey » Wed Jul 18, 2012 6:54 pm

I'm sure that might be the case in areas that are excessively dry with few water sources like bigger rivers or lakes. Most swamps or marshes still have enough water that the deer shouldn't be affected too much. As far as nutrients from food most of the crops were still in pretty good shape during the prime antler development time. From what I have seen shining I would say the bucks look to be doing just fine. Seems like to me the bucks I have been seeing are right on track for this time of the year or maybe even better on average.

What I am worried about most is because of the drought how much quality food will be available for fall when the deer need it the most. If some areas have a rough winter next years antler growth will be impacted for sure.

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Re: Antler growth?

Unread postby Bucky » Thu Jul 19, 2012 1:10 am

Dewey wrote:I'm sure that might be the case in areas that are excessively dry with few water sources like bigger rivers or lakes. Most swamps or marshes still have enough water that the deer shouldn't be affected too much. As far as nutrients from food most of the crops were still in pretty good shape during the prime antler development time. From what I have seen shining I would say the bucks look to be doing just fine. Seems like to me the bucks I have been seeing are right on track for this time of the year or maybe even better on average.

What I am worried about most is because of the drought how much quality food will be available for fall when the deer need it the most. If some areas have a rough winter next years antler growth will be impacted for sure.

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Re: Antler growth?

Unread postby dreaming bucks » Thu Jul 19, 2012 1:14 am

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I have not been out to the woods, but I was told that there is no undergrowth living, it's been too dry, & is all dead.

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Re: Antler growth?

Unread postby JakeJD » Thu Jul 19, 2012 1:20 am

I would doubt that there will be any noticeable difference in antler growth this year. Yes it is dry, but there is plenty of food around with agriculture. Plus, the hot dry conditions have nearly eliminated mosquitoes, flies, ticks, etc. around here, which would greatly reduce a typical summer stress for the deer.
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Re: Antler growth?

Unread postby Stanley » Thu Jul 19, 2012 1:51 am

jakedeaver wrote:I would doubt that there will be any noticeable difference in antler growth this year. Yes it is dry, but there is plenty of food around with agriculture. Plus, the hot dry conditions have nearly eliminated mosquitoes, flies, ticks, etc. around here, which would greatly reduce a typical summer stress for the deer.


There were plenty of ticks the last time I was in the timber. I do agree on less mosquitoes. I do think in most areas there is enough green food for the deer to eat. It might be a residual effect for the up coming year as some others have mentioned.
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Re: Antler growth?

Unread postby PLB » Thu Jul 19, 2012 1:57 am

1.50 of rain in NE WI since 3pm yesterday!! :dance: Praying for more!! :pray:
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Re: Antler growth?

Unread postby Haus86 » Thu Jul 19, 2012 1:58 am

My biggest issue is the pastures being dried up. As a result, the cows have completely wiped out any and all cover in the timber. Some of the bucks I have seen seem to be done growing already.

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Re: Antler growth?

Unread postby Sam Ubl » Thu Jul 19, 2012 2:12 am

Some of the local deer "experts" were estimating something like an extra 10"-12" of antler on most bucks this season due to the mild winter here in Wisconsin, but that was under the assumption we'd have a normal summer with a healthy crop following that mild winter. The deer had no trouble finding food this past winter and stayed healthy throughout. I particularly believe antler growth will not suffer do to this drought we're experiencing, but I wouldn't say it will exceed average growth from recent years, either. I've got bucks from last year showing up on camera that have put a considerable amount of growth on since they dropped in Feb and Mar. Yes, bountiful nutrition consumption is what ultimately grows bigger and stronger racks, but I think we're worrying ourselves too much that we'll have a bunch of spindely racked bucks running around on account of a drought.

Consider Northwood's deer; their nomadic and survive off the lands natural resources, albeit, some travel the highways from backyard feeder to backyard feeder up there, but when it comes to agriculture, you really don't see much further north in Wisconsin past Antigo. Of course the dryness and heat is affecting the natural resources, too, like acorns, but at the end of the day those deer depend on their ability to survive so I'm sure their getting fed, just maybe not in the "usual" places. I'll bet the deer will be on the move quite a bit more than usual this season so maybe sightings will be up and potentially new deer will start showing up on the radar on new properties.
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Re: Antler growth?

Unread postby Milk Weed Seed » Wed Jul 25, 2012 3:43 am

When do you guys see antler growth taper off? By me I tend to notice Around the 2nd week of August, growing appears to have stopped completely?

With the drought could it be sooner, than normal years?

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Re: Antler growth?

Unread postby Black Squirrel » Wed Jul 25, 2012 9:59 am

Here in my neck of the woods, I believe they keep growing till almost the end of August, but they slow way done towards the end.
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Re: Antler growth?

Unread postby Bigdaddy-yoyo » Wed Jul 25, 2012 12:40 pm

Dewey wrote:I'm sure that might be the case in areas that are excessively dry with few water sources like bigger rivers or lakes. Most swamps or marshes still have enough water that the deer shouldn't be affected too much. As far as nutrients from food most of the crops were still in pretty good shape during the prime antler development time. From what I have seen shining I would say the bucks look to be doing just fine. Seems like to me the bucks I have been seeing are right on track for this time of the year or maybe even better on average.

What I am worried about most is because of the drought how much quality food will be available for fall when the deer need it the most. If some areas have a rough winter next years antler growth will be impacted for sure.

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Same here shining.......I have seen some really good bucks in my hunting areas


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