Drought

What is your opinion on how the drought will affect antler growth this year.

Probably affect next year more then anything,if they go into winter in bad shape next spring they will spend a ton of energy recovering body mass before they waste energy on horn growth

Depends upon the severity of the drought. If it's not bad, I doubt antlers ill be affected. In fact, I've seen great antler growth in years with less than average precip. Deer and elk can forage/browse on quality feed even in dry conditions.

Not sure where you are or how bad it is, but the impacts of drought vary quite a bit. It'll affect the breed up and the condition of overwintering fawns a lot next winter, but the bucks seem to grow good antlers the first year of a dry period.

The South Facing winter range in the Gunnison Basin is as bad as 1977.
Last night I went up through the BLM North of 50 in 55. Not a blade of green until you hit Quakies on the Forest.
Service Berry Bushes have
Yellowing leaves. Bitter Brush looks stressed with tiny leaves.Sage has tiny amount of growth and also looks stressed we are going to lose a portion of these plants. Quartz Creek and Tomichi barley flowing. Water temps on lower Tomichi...78 degrees.....antler growth no worries... winter groceries...non existent.
It's BAD here real bad.