How Does H20=Antler in NM,AZ?

[grizzly]

Now that I know I'll be hunting elk in NM this fall, I have been trying to learn how precipitation affects antler growth (I keep hearing this is crucial down there).

My understanding is that the difference between drought and wet years can be 30+ inches of antler, so obviously it is huge.

My question is what time of the year is most important to receive moisture. The monsoon season in the Gila last year was late and heavy, but it appears to have been dry since then. Long-term forecasts predict wetter than normal weather for the next 3 months, but is it too late?

Is January-April the key for antler growth?

Will the heavy monsoon last year help foliage nutrition levels that might carry through the dry winter/spring?

I'm not very familiar with this, so any insight would be helpful. Thanks.

Grizzly

 

[Anaconda]

Not too late.
If it starts soon, and the Gila gets good rain until the end of June.
Early monsoons are the key if there is one.

 

[hank4elk]

Spring rains are not common in this part of NM. That said we have gotten some this year.
The monsoons usually start by end of June. Locals say if it doesn't rain by 4th of July,it won't much.
Last year they started in Mid-June and didn't stop til Oct.
Antler growth seemed normal to me,saw some BIG racks. I'm just N of the Gila.

 

[tooele]

its not looking good. In Arizona they put mandatory fire restrictions in affect last weekend. They determine that by how much moisture is in the trees. This is the earliest I have ever seen restrictions go into affect since I have lived in AZ and the earliest anyone ever remembers. We just haven't had any significant moisture here. Unless it changes with earlier than usual monsoons (don't count on it) its going to be a tough antler year.

 

[hank4elk]

Look at long range forecasts and El Nino predicions on NOAA.
Not looking too bad,all things considered.

 

[grizzly]

Thanks for the info guys. It looks like it is more of a general plant-health thing than specific rainstorm dependency.

Crossing my fingers for a good antler year. Only 4 1/2 months left.

Grizzly

 

[marineforlife]

grizzly,
I am no expert on vegetation growth and antler development but grew up in NM. The bottom line is to hope for enough moisture throughout the antler growing season to produce quality food for the elk to maintain/replenish their bodies and support good antler growth. Spring snows and rain help jump start the vegetation but it helps to have some early summer showers as well. Unfortunately this is not always the case in NM.
What hunt did you draw? Good luck. Two years for this resident and no tags. Thankful I drew in AZ archery elk.

 

[billythekid]

any sizable bull will be done growing by july 10th-15th. they stop growing a month before they shed their velvet. stage is set. not a whole lot can be done about antler development this yr. rut it different story.

 

[stoney]

billy,

The upper Gila looks very good and the elk have had good green feed all winter. These bulls don't have to paw snow although we had a very heavy snow at Thanksgiving and there is still snow on the north slopes above 10,000 ft. With the burns and adequate moisture we are seeing great antler growth and expect some big bulls this year. I don't think I have seen it much better especially in the burn areas in 16A and B. Lower down in 15 and 23 it looks pretty good and will have average to above average antler growth. You picked a good year if you are hunting high. I know I am excited about the 400+ bulls going to come out of the Gila this year if we can outsmart the wise ole boys.

 

[cmbbulldog]

So, its a good year to have a first rifle tag in 16B? I talked to your daughter some last week on possibly packing us in. Still deciding on how to approach this tag.