Antler Growth

grizzly · Jul 20, 2011

How far along is the horn growth in your area?

I'm in N. Utah and am finding bucks with width outside their ears, but I'm having a hard time finding bucks with much antler height or tine length. Am I looking at immature deer or do we just have a few more weeks to go before their antlers finish off?

Grizzly

ridgetops · Jul 20, 2011

There's two - three weeks of growing left. I saw one on Sunday that had 5-6 inches of tine length above each fork.

bandedbigsixpoints · Jul 20, 2011

I was going to ask that exact same question. I am watching one particular buck that has grown substantially in the last 3 weeks and looks to be pretty balled up on the 2's and 3's but the main and 4 are looking pointed out. Hopefully he can hold it together and turn those knobs to length in the next few weeks.

swbuckmaster · Jul 21, 2011

looking at immature bucks if you ask me.

The big ones are almost finished!

TOPGUN · Jul 21, 2011

Really; I thought they had 3 or 4 good weeks left for the most part yet compared to elk that finish earlier.

swbuckmaster · Jul 21, 2011

LAST EDITED ON Jul-21-11 AT 11:31AM (MST)[p]The older bucks drop in January they start growing earlier then the younger bucks. So they finish earlier.. It also depends on the area your hunting. Northern Utah grows em earlier then southern Utah. It can also depend on how the deer wintered but typically the older bucks finish earlier.

I'm looking in northern Utah and the 4 year old or older bucks "not your plane 4 pt bucks" are pretty much finished... The younger bucks still have your 3-4 weeks of growth left.

However I don't get out scouting much so I could be wrong.

ADDICT · Jul 21, 2011

+1 swb

Young deer. All of the shooters Ive seen are out almost to the tips. The bulbs are almost gone.

TOPGUN · Jul 21, 2011

SWB---"However I don't get out scouting much so I could be wrong."

Yea, right! You're probably on some mountain right now glassing and using a laptop with aatellite connection to the site, LOL!!!

THuntin · Jul 21, 2011

I took this picture in Northern Utah yesterday, this is the best antler growth I have seen so far. He had several other small four points with him with antler growth of what you describing. I think they are just immature bucks.

swbuckmaster · Jul 21, 2011

>SWB---"However I don't get out scouting
>much so I could be
>wrong."
>
>Yea, right! You're probably on
>some mountain right now glassing
>and using a laptop with
>aatellite connection to the site,
>LOL!!!

Lol just got off the hill videoing a buck that looks just like the one posted above

TOPGUN · Jul 21, 2011

He's a beauty and I sure wish I could get just one in my sights like that before I croak!

Cornhusker · Jul 24, 2011

So tell me on the deer above I'm seeing a 4 or 5 year old deer with 2 weeks of growth left. Is this incorrect? I know Topgun or Sw will know the answer I'm not sure.

swbuckmaster · Jul 24, 2011

I would say that is a 4 year old deer. It has a massive big blocky head along with a big mature body.

Good luck with that deer! I think he is done growing though!

hubba_3 · Jul 25, 2011

I was just out in NV, and most of the bucks were about done. I did see one tho that still had a little bit more to go...
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TOPGUN · Jul 25, 2011

I would agree that he's a 4 year old deer unless the year he was born was a below average year for precipitation/feed in his area and it took him an extra yet to get where he is now in the picture. Regardless, I'd shoot him this Fall if I saw him on public land!

Cornhusker · Jul 25, 2011

Thanks! I'm always here to learn. We are still seeing growth especially on tine length on whitetails which I'm still seeing growth. I also believe we have some growth time left on mulies. The difference between Nebraska and the western states and the difference in food supply I'm sure has to have an effect.

TOPGUN · Jul 25, 2011

I'd give them about 2 weeks to wrap up antler growth for the most part on the majority of bucks.

Cornhusker · Jul 25, 2011

That's about what I figured. I also have noticed deer in central Nebraska lose their velvet between September 1st and 15th some exception of course. I've seen bucks in Colorado and Wyoming 2 weeks later than that in full velvet.