Early antler shed?

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megavites
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Early antler shed?

Unread postby megavites » Sat Dec 12, 2020 1:41 pm

So in the area I hunt in PA (3C) we had two bucks shed antlers on the shot. Mine dropped one side when he hit the ground and a second dropped both. The second one walked by me 30mins after I tagged out and was shot 2hrs later on public.
There hasn't been much snow or serious cold. These mountain deer subsist mostly on browse. From what I've read, it could be from an intense rut and a drop in testosterone. Wondering what others here think?
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Hawthorne
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Re: Early antler shed?

Unread postby Hawthorne » Sat Dec 12, 2020 1:57 pm

Is it a low density area? I know December shedding is not uncommon in some areas. Rare where I’m at in southern Michigan
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megavites
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Re: Early antler shed?

Unread postby megavites » Sat Dec 12, 2020 2:55 pm

just the opposite..its a high density area. Usually 4 hunt days produces 7 or 8 deer. w/multiple sightings. I'm just thinking with the low quality food and maybe an intense rut that they had enough. Just wonder what others have seen with early antler drops.
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Crazinamatese
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Re: Early antler shed?

Unread postby Crazinamatese » Sat Dec 12, 2020 3:24 pm

Buck tag still valid?? :think:
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Dewey
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Re: Early antler shed?

Unread postby Dewey » Sat Dec 12, 2020 3:30 pm

Over the years I have seen a bunch of shed bucks later in December but this seems way early. :o
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Hodag Hunter
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Re: Early antler shed?

Unread postby Hodag Hunter » Sat Dec 12, 2020 3:59 pm

My earliest recorded drop in northern WI is December 6th.

Past history tells me by Christmas week over 50% will have dropped.

By 1st week of January, hard to say for sure as I lose a lot of bucks on cam then, but my guess is no more than 20% will be intact yet.
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Wannabelikedan
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Re: Early antler shed?

Unread postby Wannabelikedan » Sat Dec 12, 2020 4:02 pm

Found one today that dropped within the week. Funny thing is I found it about a hundred yards from a cam I had soaking and the camera had some heavy rut action in the last 3 days. Haven’t found a pic of the buck the shed belongs to though.
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