Why Bucks Shed
Filed under: Ask Grant, Deer Biology
Question
A week ago one of my buddies found a dead buck in his woods that had already lost his antlers. He found one of his sheds a few feet away and another in a brush pile 50 feet away. The buck was either a two or a three year old. Is there any reason to why this would be?
Evan
Evan,
Wow, that’s a neat observation! I doubt anyone can explain exactly what happened to that buck. However, in general, bucks shed when their body conditions drops below a certain threshold (release of antlers is caused by a change in hormone levels). The buck was obviously not in prime condition during late winter. As to exactly what happened, I doubt we will ever know. Some theories would include he shed and was coincidentally killed by a predator or was injured which caused him to shed and was trying to find cover in a brush pile and died from his injuries. Again, these are simply theories!
Growing Deer together,
Grant
