longshooter338
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3 bucks showed up on cam 5/1 6 to 8 inches of main beams so far.
2010 antler growth
- Thread starter longshooter338
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Pines_N_Tines
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LAST EDITED ON May-05-10 AT 12:38PM (MST)[p]Sounds great post up the pics if you can.
What is everyones opinion of antler growth outlook this year in Utah. Especially the southern portion of the state that got hammered with so much snow? I know that mild winters and wet springs = good antler growth. Southern Utah definitely did not have a mild winter but I wonder how all the water in the snow will affect feed. What's your predictions?
What is everyones opinion of antler growth outlook this year in Utah. Especially the southern portion of the state that got hammered with so much snow? I know that mild winters and wet springs = good antler growth. Southern Utah definitely did not have a mild winter but I wonder how all the water in the snow will affect feed. What's your predictions?
Geez.......who invents this stuff?
This is not alfalfa we're discussing here. A deers' antler configuration is determined long before a wet or dry spring.
Do you somehow think that antlers are a kind of moss or a weed that is susceptable to the daily elements? It's genetics and testosterone.....a good spring may have an effect on the overall health of the deer, but his rack was established long before THIS spring.
It's bone.....if it were affected by moisture, the deer around Seattle would need a handtruck to carry their chit!
Seen the deer in Mexico? Arizona? New Mexico? They wouldn't know what a wet spring looked like and they don't seem to have a problem producing massive antler growth.
This is not alfalfa we're discussing here. A deers' antler configuration is determined long before a wet or dry spring.
Do you somehow think that antlers are a kind of moss or a weed that is susceptable to the daily elements? It's genetics and testosterone.....a good spring may have an effect on the overall health of the deer, but his rack was established long before THIS spring.
It's bone.....if it were affected by moisture, the deer around Seattle would need a handtruck to carry their chit!
Seen the deer in Mexico? Arizona? New Mexico? They wouldn't know what a wet spring looked like and they don't seem to have a problem producing massive antler growth.
upmuley
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Nickman,
I know you're toying with us on this one but OK I'll take the bait
More moisture means more growth of the tender, nutritious plants that game animals need to flourish. Antlers (which are not "bone") only grow to their genetic potential when the nutritional needs of the animal are met. Energy is only put into antler growth after the nutritional needs of the animal are met. As such, in years with substandard moisture and therefore sub par growth of groceries that the animals need you should see subpar antler growth.
Some desert units amaze me with the antler growth they put forth and this seems to be a bit of a paradox but there is no questions on wetter years the antler growth should be better all things being equal. I am not a biologist but it comes down to limiting factors. Here in the far northern upper midwest our biggest limiting factor would be severe winters and overbrowse from over population. In the west often times the limiting factor is moisture.
And being a part time farmer, it makes the alfalfa grow also as you eluded to.
Jason
I know you're toying with us on this one but OK I'll take the bait
More moisture means more growth of the tender, nutritious plants that game animals need to flourish. Antlers (which are not "bone") only grow to their genetic potential when the nutritional needs of the animal are met. Energy is only put into antler growth after the nutritional needs of the animal are met. As such, in years with substandard moisture and therefore sub par growth of groceries that the animals need you should see subpar antler growth.
Some desert units amaze me with the antler growth they put forth and this seems to be a bit of a paradox but there is no questions on wetter years the antler growth should be better all things being equal. I am not a biologist but it comes down to limiting factors. Here in the far northern upper midwest our biggest limiting factor would be severe winters and overbrowse from over population. In the west often times the limiting factor is moisture.
And being a part time farmer, it makes the alfalfa grow also as you eluded to.
Jason
Pines_N_Tines
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Thanks Upmuley you understood what I was asking.
Longshooter338, I'm not trying to hijack your post. I think its great that your seeing 5-8 inch antler growth. It just made me wonder what kind of antler growth year this will be.
I realize that there are 150" bucks that will never be anything better than a 150" buck. But a good feed year will help that buck reach his best potential.
I was just wondering if MM members think that the heavy snows see in southern Utah this year are going to afect the deer and elk herds.
Another reason I wonder is because there was tons of snow on the Henries this year. The area we pick up sheds was covered by deep snow even at the end of march. We saw dead buck carcasses on snow fields and came across two starving bucks that had chosen to winter up high only to become stranded on a wind swept slope with 12' snow all around them. They had eaten the few exposed browse shrubs down to the bases. There ribs were showing and they looked to be in poor condition. If they made it through to now I believe that a lot of what they will eat will be to regain body mass.
Just wondering if this happened on any of the other southern Utah units?
Longshooter338, I'm not trying to hijack your post. I think its great that your seeing 5-8 inch antler growth. It just made me wonder what kind of antler growth year this will be.
I realize that there are 150" bucks that will never be anything better than a 150" buck. But a good feed year will help that buck reach his best potential.
I was just wondering if MM members think that the heavy snows see in southern Utah this year are going to afect the deer and elk herds.
Another reason I wonder is because there was tons of snow on the Henries this year. The area we pick up sheds was covered by deep snow even at the end of march. We saw dead buck carcasses on snow fields and came across two starving bucks that had chosen to winter up high only to become stranded on a wind swept slope with 12' snow all around them. They had eaten the few exposed browse shrubs down to the bases. There ribs were showing and they looked to be in poor condition. If they made it through to now I believe that a lot of what they will eat will be to regain body mass.
Just wondering if this happened on any of the other southern Utah units?
longshooter338
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Pines n tines, southern utah, washington county ,and go right ahead.
M
maddglasser
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LAST EDITED ON May-08-10 AT 01:42PM (MST)[p]Nick,
I don't know if your playing with everyone but, you hit the nail on the head, great explanition!
I don't know if your playing with everyone but, you hit the nail on the head, great explanition!
R
RACKMASTER
Guest
nickman's got a new name.."GRUMPY"...I disagree with you Grumpy wet means good forage which in turn means healthy animals which means BIG RACKS....and its true cuz I sez so!
rackmaster
rackmaster
T
TwoDogs
Guest
Waaaaaaaayyyyy too much tension, opinions, and disagreement on this forum for me. I'm outta here........
R
RACKMASTER
Guest
good bye!! say to manny we don't miss him either!
rackmaster
rackmaster
