antler growth patterns

[lhrbull]

looking for information on mule deer antler growth patterns like will a 3 point ever be any bigger than a 3 books or just common knowledge would be helpfull.

 

[middlehoof]

GOOGLE IT!!!!

 

[HuntNevada]

GENES!!!! If he don't have the genes to get past a 3 point then i don't think he ever would, but if he has good or even great genes, even the biggest bucks have started out as 3 points.

 

[supersider34]

I believe it all depends.
A guy shot a 3x3 this year that is 33" wide and has 7" eyeguards and scores in the 190's. Its in a big buck contest and when it gets scored for sure I will post the official score.
But it all depends on what they are and where.

 

[BigChicken]

Sheds from the same buck usually have a similar configuration from year to year. But good forage can push a buck a little past his genetic potential and poor conditions keep him from reaching it too. I learned that lesson from watching the video that featured the Carl Webb's Utah buck.

The year before the 210 typical was harvested it was filmed as a very large 3x4. Somehow he broke free from the 3x4 configuration and into a symmetrical 4x4. I don't know if that can happen to all 3x3's or 3x4's but there's evidence that it can happen.

 

[proutdoors]

On the same note, but different specie (elk), the new Utah State record bull taken this year (443") was a 'management bull' in 2006 as a 5X6 that went 390, in 2007 he was a 6X7 that went 443. Way too many people consider immature males as genetically 'weak' males, IMHO.

PRO

Define, develop, and sustain BOTH trophy and opportunity hunts throughout the state of Utah.

 

[ClearCreek]

I agree 100% with proutdoors. The genetics thing is way over-rated and misunderstood.

The three things that determine antler growth are age, nutrition and genetics - in that order.

ClearCreek