Buck Antlers: When Do They Shed?

[@dannydavis6468]

Thanks for the honest reply. I find that your videos are the most helpful videos on you tube for the common guy just trying to benefit the wild life. My plot is 2 acres very remote where no equipment can be easily used. So frost seeding is my only alternative. I’ve been using co op seed for 25 plus years. Sometimes it works sometimes it doesn’t. Frost seeding is my one chance at a food plot so I need something more consistent. The years it don’t work , I have nothing. I will check out your source. Thanks

[@GrowingDeerTV]

I wish you well and hope you let me know how it goes!

[@edwardbaxley5124]

I have a nice 3 year old 8 point buck that shed his antlers over 2 weeks ago. He had been in a fight and the back of his neck had gouge marks on it. He shed at least 2 weeks earlier than last year.

[@jamescawthern7593]

Although I agree with the bulk of your video ... this year, I am seeing A LOT of people reporting bucks shedding their antlers earlier than usual ... including on properties where food is not a problem at all and they have not sustained any injuries. I suspect that this years' severe drought conditions have created another level of stress for many bucks to cause them to shed early. Last year, I had bucks wearing headgear on camera until mid-March, whereas this year, bucks in those same areas are already dropping. Jimmy Houston has penned bucks & wild bucks at his ranch. Nearly all of his wild bucks have shredded despite being fed and having no injuries, whereas his penned deer (who have constant water sources) are all still retaining their racks. Just my observations.

[@GrowingDeerTV]

James - No doubt stress can result in bucks shedding earlier than normal and there are many forms of stress.

[@bvierville1]

Deer do have super powers! You try growing antlers 😂

[@underdogoutdoors]

I've seen plenty of bucks with antlers up until March.

[@brandoncusmc]

Got pictures today of a 1.5 year old buck already shed both sides

[@scottiewest7312]

I thought they only lost their antlers when a hunter kills them and take them for trophy 😅🤣

[@rchadayers]

Question - I have a buck who is 3 1/2 years old who just started shedding tonight. He shed one side based on trail camera pictures. Also a different buck, a 2 1/2 year old, Shed both his antlers yesterday. All my bucks did not start shedding last year until early March. I hunt 30 acres. I only have one 1 acre hidey hole food plot on that 30 acres. Last year I had a tremendous stand of fall release. The brassicas fed deer all the way through February. This year I planted late and it seems like that plot has had a whole lot more browse pressure. Now it’s lip high with just a little bit of clover and cereal grains. Could the quality of this one, 1 acre food plot cause such a dramatic shift in deer health to where bucks are shedding three months earlier this year? If not, what other conditions would cause this?

[@adked1841]

My question was similar so I hope you dont mind me tagging on...In the past when I had pretty good food plots and plenty of acorns and beech nuts, the deer would hold their antlers till around the first week of Jan...Last year I had avg success with my food plots but the gypsy moths destroyed the beeches and oaks leaving very little food in the woods...The bucks held their antlers until Feb 20th...Since the daylight stays consistent every year, what would explain this?

[@GrowingDeerTV]

I suspect the overall change in habitat quality from one year to the next impacted the timing of shedding much more than the food plot. Big acorn crops and a busted crop is a huge difference for deer in that areas. @adked1841

[@rchadayers]

@@GrowingDeerTV I am curious of your reply to my comment above. Regarding acorns this year it is the opposite situation. Last year when there were few acorns, bucks held antlers to March. This year, one of the largest soft and hard mast crops in several years, but shedding now. Any thoughts? Thanks in advance!

[@dannydavis6468]

I watch a lot of your videos. My question is not about this video. What do you think about frost seeding co op clover ? Is local seed company seed the same as the expensive food plot seed ?

[@GrowingDeerTV]

Danny - Good question. There are too many variables for me to give you an accurate, blanket answer. There's junk in some "food plot" seed products with big bucks on the bag and there's some great blends with quality seed and coatings. There's coop or local seed stores that sell fresh seed and some that hold it over from year to year or buy the least expensive seed they can. I'd go with a source you know is good from experience or a buddy has had good success with. I use GreenCoverFoodPlots.com and like them as they are a very large ag seed dealer - not a deer only shop. Check them out.

[@johnlallemand8554]

ALSO USUALLY BOTH ANTLERS ARE SHED WITHIN A SHORT DISTANCE OF EACH OTHER..

[@mr.skeptical3071]

I thought it had to do with photo light from longer days

[@GrowingDeerTV]

The amount of sunlight controls hormones that determine the general window of when antlers will shed. However, exactly when deer shed within that window is based on the deer's health.

[@Matt-ol5rc]

Found a match set today

[@garrettstraffon608]

What state you in

[@Matt-ol5rc]

@@garrettstraffon608 michigan

[@frankspataro9714]

Most of ares keep em for months yet