GENETICS

[WEKILLDEER]

I hunt in eastern MT and one thing that I have noticed over the years is that most of the deer have weak front forks. This is terrible because I have seen and shot deer that had a good frame and some have even had some cheaters. Most of these deer should have scored really well except for one thing. They all have had at least one front fork that was REALLY weak. Is this purely a genetic trait to the region or is it nutrition that causes these deer to have crab claw fronts. It is so frustrating to see such great deer score so low because of weak forks. Any opinions?

 

[WEKILLDEER]

Oh and by the way, If this is a genetic trait will it ever go away???

 

[HiMtnHntr]

I'd say consistently weak front forks, or crabclaws, across a deer herd in a particular area are primarily due to genetics. Same thing with consistently weak back forks, missing forks, narrow frames, wide frames, etc... as in other deer herds. If a buck has met all his nutritional needs and grows to his full potential, he can still have week tines due to a genetic trait. Sounds like that is what you experience in your area.

 

[CouesSniper]

>I'd say consistently weak front forks,
>or crabclaws, across a deer
>herd in a particular area
>are primarily due to genetics.
> Same thing with consistently
>weak back forks, missing forks,
>narrow frames, wide frames, etc...
>as in other deer herds.
> If a buck has
>met all his nutritional needs
>and grows to his full
>potential, he can still have
>week tines due to a
>genetic trait. Sounds like
>that is what you experience
>in your area.

I agree 100%. Well said.

 

[HiMtnHntr]

Getting rid of the bad genes in a public land herd would be tough. Private ranches, for instance, can to some extent because they can manage for a certain type of buck by controlling what type of bucks are harvested. They'll kill "management bucks" and they won't kill as many young deer with the traits they find desireable because they want them to get bigger, breed, and spread their genes. In your circumstance, as is the case in many areas, it pays to be happy with a big mature buck, no matter the antler configuration. Truly big bucks with solid, B&C type typical frames are rare most anywhere.