Big bucks still with headgear

[Fenelon]

We had five deer pass through our backyard yesterday - two big bodied mature 8-10pt bucks (3 year olds +) , and a doe with twin fawns. Was surprised to see no dropped antlers on either of the bucks. I’ve personally never seen them carry this late, not even on my game cams. Wonder if a mature doe will cycle for a third estrus in January if she hasn’t been bred already? Time to Google this.

[Fenelon]

According to Google, the doe will continue cycling until she is bred, so a third estrous id possible. Also says buck antler retention is mainly based on photoperiod and testosterone level, and some bucks will have delayed antler drop if estrous does are present.

[Articcat]

I've seen bucks in February with antlers and one year in March at Pearson airport

[sabmgb]

I had several bucks on my cameras last year at the end of February still carrying head gear. I think that the ones bred in January are the ones with very small fawns in the fall. I have seen some fawns that aren't much bigger than my lab.

[Bo D]

Interesting Fenelon, I was always lead to believe it had to do with the availability of food. Took too much energy to keep growing the head gear when there wasn't enough of a food scourse to suppoty them.... Hmmm, live and learn... Thanks for the imput...

[Sam Menard]

Physical condition plays a role. I’ve also read that they drop around the same time each year. I once found a massive fresh shed on December 7th and I’ve also seen young bucks with antlers in anarch during a mild winter.

[johnjyb]

Further on the antler drop issue, once the bucks are out of velvet there is no more blood/nutrients needed or going into antler growth .....I think.
John