Early antler drop/no fat

[Andrewmtnman]

I've read in a couple other posts that bucks have been taken in December 22' and had already dropped their antlers. I too had gotten one on Dec 12th that had dropped. Does anyone know why they seem to be dropping earlier than most years? In addition, neither of the 2 bucks i got or the 2 does my buddy got had any fat on them this dec. Last year I was slicing off back fat and making more tallow than I knew what to do with. Any thoughts?

 

[hawkenhunter50]

We saw a bunch of 1/2 racks this year. We attributed it to the extremely dry summer we had but not sure if that's the cause or not.

 

[Andrewmtnman]

We saw a bunch of 1/2 racks this year. We attributed it to the extremely dry summer we had but not sure if that's the cause or not.

Now that you mention it, I have a half rack buck on my trail cam from dec as well. I thought it was from fighting, maybe, maybe not

 

[sb 54 cal.]

Was reading an article In Missouri conservationist That said poor diet causes them to lose antlers early

 

[oldwood]

Bad diet accounts for poor antler growth , and low fat storage. Also , fewer does to breed , makes bucks travel far to breed burning up precious fat.

 

[Daytime Smoker]

I haven’t seen that here thus far. I do recall that a buddy of mine had the antler of one of his bucks come off as he was dragging it last fall. And as for the fat, we had a good acorn mast this year ( at least in my area) so I haven’t seen many skinny deer.

Anthony

 

[Eric Krewson]

We didn't have an acorn crop this year, A friend gave me a deer Nov that didn't have any back fat on it, I killed one a few weeks ago that was the same, intestinal fat but no back fat. We had "0" degree temps this year for the first time in 40 years, this burned back the vegetation and pastures to the point that browsing limb tips is about the deer's only option. So far, they haven't zeroed in on the bushes in my flower beds, yet.........

 

[Christophero]

SW Ohio, two of the does I took this year were covered in fat. Had a pile of data from one that rivaled the hogs I used to butcher. Agricultural fields keep them well fed around here. Though I didn't tag a buck the ones spied had both antlers in December.

 

[pamtnman]

I've read in a couple other posts that bucks have been taken in December 22' and had already dropped their antlers. I too had gotten one on Dec 12th that had dropped. Does anyone know why they seem to be dropping earlier than most years? In addition, neither of the 2 bucks i got or the 2 does my buddy got had any fat on them this dec. Last year I was slicing off back fat and making more tallow than I knew what to do with. Any thoughts?

Significant percentage of bucks here in PA had early antler drop. Might be due to low nutrition, because of no acorns this year. No acorns because of gypsy moth. All four deer i killed this season had no fat. None. Hearing the same from other PA hunters. However I’m hearing in Maryland, it’s different. I did not hunt Maryland this year, but what I’m told and seeing pictures of is totally different than here in PA.

 

[SOLANCO]

This is southern Lancaster county PA. The deer I see seem fat and happy. But this is an area with lots of farms. Yes, crops are all taken off by now. But they had plenty to eat until not all that long ago. Havenot seen signs of early antler drop, but it's not like I was watching for it either.

 

[andy52]

Poor diet or possibly CWD.

 

[oldwood]

Thirty yrs. ago when we mostly had pre-gypsy moth acorn crops , in Clearfield County ,Pa. , I saw a 10 point buck in March. He was not stressed , as he was living in a place on a steep hillside , where no one was likely to bother him. I used to spend 4 to 6 hrs. in my company car going to and from service calls. I drove right up to the buck feeding next to the road , and he moved off slowly. .............oldwood

 

[longcruise]

Big difference between antelope and deer headgear.

 

[Andrewmtnman]

Poor diet or possibly CWD.

I hope it’s not cwd. I hear we have another disease in ct that causes large groups of deer to head for bodies of water and die. Not a lot of info on it yet

 

[JeffG]

I've read in a couple other posts that bucks have been taken in December 22' and had already dropped their antlers. I too had gotten one on Dec 12th that had dropped. Does anyone know why they seem to be dropping earlier than most years? In addition, neither of the 2 bucks i got or the 2 does my buddy got had any fat on them this dec. Last year I was slicing off back fat and making more tallow than I knew what to do with. Any thoughts?

We have urban deer here. Wisconsin. The bucks hit the bird feeders and we see them daily. They are losing their antlers since Jan 2, the fork horns first. I think this is way early. I'm used to them dropping in March.

Edit: Doing some research, it's supposedly attributed to length of days or poor health, lowering testosterone levels.

 

[TDM]

We have urban deer here. Wisconsin. The bucks hit the bird feeders and we see them daily. They are losing their antlers since Jan 2, the fork horns first. I think this is way early. I'm used to them dropping in March.

March is our regular drop time too.

 

[Bushfire]

I'd say nutrition or a Hummel, then again the latter are normally fat.

 

[User_Dan]

This the half rack thing your talking about --> not a hunter

 

[oldwood]

Today , my hunting friend and I , will be in two ladder stands , to watch for the 8 pt. that comes by around 4 pm , on his camera.. Hope he comes by a little earlier , for good flintlock shooting light. Also , he still has his rack.

 

[Andrewmtnman]

View attachment 189931

This the half rack thing your talking about --> not a hunter

That’s half of a half rack. Lol