Why don’t all bucks have larger antlers?

By Grant Woods,

  Filed under:

← Grant's Answers — Deer Biology
Question
I’ve followed you a few years now and remember you saying once you don’t believe in buck “genetics,” you believe in the right sources of growth in a buck. If that is true then why wouldn’t all of the other bucks prosper just as that one particular monster that was on the property? I appreciate your time Grant, thanks for all you do for the industry!

Devin,

I may have miscommunicated. I certainly believe in genetic variation in all critters (humans, deer, etc.).  It’s been shown that hunters can’t have much of an impact on antler traits of free-ranging whitetails.  Many antler traits are inherited from does.  Without a pedigree (knowing which buck and doe paring produced which fawn) for many generations can accurate selection be made to favor or cull deer that will produce bucks with larger than average antlers.  

Such pedigrees are available for some captive deer herds, but never for free-ranging deer herds.  In addition, selecting for larger antlers may be selecting for less disease resistance, etc.  

It is certain that by allowing bucks to mature and providing them with quality habitat they can express more of their antler growth potential.

Enjoy creation,

grant

January 12, 2016