Buck antler growth question?

[G1]

Some of you have the opportunity to watch the same bucks year after year. In nontypical bucks have you ever noticed if he grows more and more points even if he has started to regress? I have two consecutive years of sheds off a buck and he lost main frame size but added more and longer non-typical points. I am guessing he was 8yrs old when the last set was picked up. I also understand feed and the two years were close to the same for rain. I know this is not the shed forum but I thought I would get better info here.

 

[ICMDEER]

I agree with your theory and that's what I have seen as well. They'll get more mass, more points and often, the point length will go down as they get older. I have some sheds at home from a buck over a 5 year period and it holds true for him.

 

[MikeHoncho]

Your theory sounds about right to me as well. I agree that the frame will often times shrink but they'll add more mass and possibly points as well. And it seems to me that they definitely lose some tine length as they get older.

 

[Vince (Colorado)]

Your theory sounds right to me as well, but there are exceptions of course. Feed and moisture play a major part.

The following pics are of the same buck. He was a hog in 2005 when we had great spring and summer moisture. He wasn't nearly as impressive in 2006 when it was a dry spring and summer.

2005

2006

Later,
vince

 

[Longun]

Those are really pretty pictures vince....any pics of 07,08 or did he get harvested?

 

[Longun]

ICM....lets see some pics of the 5 year span of sheds!

 

[G1]

Vince those are interesting pictures. He dropped his extra points but it looks like his main frame grew. I wonder if he was short on calcium because of the drought year but was still not to his prime? How did you get such great pictures? Were they through a spotting scope? Thank you for the reply.