Done Growing?

sb2017

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Hi all, I'm looking for some insight on the typical growth patterns of Mule Deer antlers. In your experience, when do they tend to reach full growth for the year? I've been doing quite a bit of scouting this summer and the smaller bucks I found this weekend looked full grown to me. Their points looked like they fully tapered off at the tips. But the bigger bucks I found didn't have the same look. Their points looked "nubby" and round on the ends as if there was quite a bit more growing left for them. Is there a general time of year that you'd say mature bucks tend to be finished growing by?
 
The bucks I've seen in Utah and Idaho look done the bucks founder is showing in Western Wyoming to look like they still have a few inches
 
Nevada Governors tag buck is already dead so I guess he was done enough!
Last years and this years bucks were killed this week

EDIT: I thought you said Arizona governor tag buck, I haven't seen the Nevada buck.
 
Last edited:
Any pictures buckhorn?
The 2021 buck killed July 31st
Screenshot_20220804-220345_Instagram.jpg


The 2022 buck killed August 4th
Screenshot_20220804-220306_Instagram.jpg
 
Hi all, I'm looking for some insight on the typical growth patterns of Mule Deer antlers. In your experience, when do they tend to reach full growth for the year? I've been doing quite a bit of scouting this summer and the smaller bucks I found this weekend looked full grown to me. Their points looked like they fully tapered off at the tips. But the bigger bucks I found didn't have the same look. Their points looked "nubby" and round on the ends as if there was quite a bit more growing left for them. Is there a general time of year that you'd say mature bucks tend to be finished growing by?
As too the original question. It's my belief that every buck us different. Seen bucks done the last week of July and bucks still putting on length in mid August. Personally I feel it has to do with when they shed there antlers. Bucks that drop end of January/early February are done sooner the the bucks dropping in March. But it's honestly just a guess at this point.

I would say if the tips are still balled up they are still growing.
 
Any pictures buckhorn?
Yes there is a kill shot pic of the
Nevada Buck
It’s not mine so I shouldn’t post it on here without permission.
Maybe someone else can post a pic of him.
It is an impressive buck and appears to be done growing.
 
They are pretty in velvet but I kinda wish they could see there way clear to let them finish out and get hard horned before they take them. Just a hard horn bigot I guess.
 
As too the original question. It's my belief that every buck us different. Seen bucks done the last week of July and bucks still putting on length in mid August. Personally I feel it has to do with when they shed there antlers. Bucks that drop end of January/early February are done sooner the the bucks dropping in March. But it's honestly just a guess at this point.

I would say if the tips are still balled up they are still growing.
I bet the Whitetail experimental research centers at Mississippi State and Auburn could answer this question precisely, if anyone cared enough to give them a call.
 
Jake, isn’t it just disgusting there are no scientific based mule deer centers that could be consulted. Makes me crazy!!!
 

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