Stages of Antler Growth

[bowman]

I went out yesterday (May 7th, 2009) to pull a stand and trim for some new ones. I jumped a couple of bucks that stopped and stood about 100 yards away for me to look through the binocs. Both were mature deer but one had 6-8" of growth already and heavy bases! He was already starting the split for his brows.

I pulled my ScoutGuard and I was amazed at the range of antler development that I saw. I had several stub growth bucks on the cam from earlier in April, then on April 11th I got a pic of a buck with both sides.

I got several photos of bucks with decent bases starting.

The coolest pic was this buck with a huge gash on his side. I wonder what would have caused it?

I'll put the cam out again in late June.

 

[dominator]

oh yeah baby, im getting pumped already!

 

[Musky Hunter]

The one buck is in hard horn, looks like maybe it's still holding from last year. I don't know how long they can hold but that doesn't look like new growth to me.