Normal Date for Bucks to Shed

By GrowingDeer,

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Question
I was out coyote hunting in northern Indiana on March 5th and I saw a nice 12 point buck that had not lost any of his rack yet.  Is this normal?

Thomas

Thomas,

In general the healthier bucks are the longer they will carry their antlers through winter.  I’ve seen bucks that haven’t shed during mid-April.  It sounds like you were blessed to observe a very healthy buck!  Bucks that don’t have enough quality food or that have been injured will typically shed much earlier during the winter.

Growing Deer together,

Grant