What Determines when Bucks Shed their Antlers?
Filed under: Ask Grant, Deer Biology
We own 230 acres in west central Mississippi. This February we collected 9 sheds, all branched antlers. I have heard you indicate that when bucks shed their antlers it is an indication of herd health. Can you explain more on this subject? This was our most productive year finding sheds. The most we have found in the past was 3. I love the info you give on this site, good luck with it. Thank you, Gary
Gary,
With exception for injuries or disease, the initiation of antler growth, shedding velvet and antler casting is determined by the length of daylight. Changes in the length of daylight triggers a release of hormones by glands in a buck’s body. However, changes in the amount of daylight determine a range of dates for antler shedding, and not exact dates. Wounded or malnourished bucks tend to cast their antlers earlier while well-feed bucks that are not exposed to high levels of stress will cast later. Captive deer, with relatively constant diets and stress levels tend to shed about the same time annually. However, there can be a wide range of dates when free-ranging bucks shed their antlers based on the overall environmental conditions that year and the conditions of each individual buck.
Growing Deer together,
Grant
