Interesting observation on antler growth

Founder · Aug 19, 2022

So this buck here is the one my hunting partner was after last year with his bow. Unfortunately he never could connect and couldn’t make it back out to rifle hunt.
I saw that an NTO client had killed it during the rifle hunt.
What I think is interesting is the couple inches of tine length the buck picked up after I saw him on August 10th. He didn’t grow a lot, but it looks like maybe 2 inches or close. If he put that on all 4 back tines, that’s a real difference from August 10th to all done.
If you look at the left G3 where the in-line is, you can see the difference.
I just hear talk often that bucks are done growing by the end of July. Just not the case all the time. Just thought it was interesting.
I wish Gus, my hunting partner, could’ve got him. How wide do you think this buck ended up?

JakeH · Aug 19, 2022

From my experience it is all relative for each deer. I've seen bucks be done by the end of July and seen others blow up through the first two weeks of August.

Personally I think it has to do with the time of year they are born, which ultimately is relative to what cycles they was conceived in. This ultimately sets up their antler development for the rest of their lives. Bucks born later due to their mom being bred during a second or third cycle will drop there sheds later in the spring and ultimately start growing new antlers later, and ultimately finish later. Obviously there are other considerations as well that could affect the development of the antlers but this is a theory I have thought about.

nontypical · Aug 19, 2022

Interesting theory Jake. I never really thought about why different bucks grow at different quickness, but I have noticed it as well. Could be a genetic trait too.

I think that buck is 29". Maybe 30". I've seen bucks that were 28" from ear tip to ear tip (he had a huge melon) but most are around 22"-23", I suppose. But then...wtf do I know?

buckhorn · Aug 19, 2022

If that first pick in velvet was taken on August 10 he was definitely a late bloomer.
He put on a fair amount of growth after the first pic!

Founder · Aug 19, 2022

Yep, both velvet pics August 10th.

I killed a buck in 2011 that put on about 4 inches on the back forks from July 30th to September 3rd.

buckhorn · Aug 19, 2022

Founder said:
Yep, both velvet pics August 10th.

I killed a buck in 2011 that put on about 4 inches on the back forks from July 30th to September 3rd.

Let’s hope that trend continues in the next couple of years!

HuntinEngineer530 · Aug 19, 2022

Founder, from current videos it seems like there is more moisture, food, greenery, etc. this year than in the past. Would you agree? If so, this should contribute to a longer antler growth period.

Founder · Aug 19, 2022

HuntinEngineer530 said:
Founder, from current videos it seems like there is more moisture, food, greenery, etc. this year than in the past. Would you agree? If so, this should contribute to a longer antler growth period.

No, I don’t see vegetation differences in the high country from one year to the next.

The winter ranges in that country have been getting less moisture, but between snow melt and rain storms, the high country receives plenty of moisture every year, especially while antlers are growing. Like I said, the winter range is where the droughts are really hard, not summer range. The winter range is an entirely different discussion.

Things dry up earlier in August some years versus others, but deer can easily adjust the vegetation they feed on. When vegetation on an open slope dries up, whether it’s early August or late August, they just feed more in the shadows of timber that may not dry out at all. I believe there’s always quality vegetation available to them.
In fact, my theory as to why bucks change behavior in late August and September has a lot to do with them moving from vegetation that grows on open slopes to vegetation that grows in the shadows of timber.

In the places I venture into, I don’t believe there’s any significant difference in vegetation health from one year to the next. I’ve never noticed any real difference’s, and I do pay attention to stuff like that.

I have a few theories on why some bucks are done growing in late July and others late August.
I just thought I’d share these pics because I’ve found that scouting in July requires some skill in estimating how much more growth different bucks have left.
Often times I have to compare a buck I see in mid July with a different one I see in late August, and it’s a bit of a trick deciding which is better. I have to guess how much did Mr. July has left to grow. There’s no time to revisit bucks multiple times, gotta estimate Mr. July, and Mr. late August is easy, cause he’s done.

This buck above I would’ve guessed had an inch to finish when I saw him on August 10th, but close to 2 inches is more than I would’ve expected.

BrianID · Aug 21, 2022

Great looking buck. Pictures like that are nice bait to attract more guys into sharing points with you. ?

I think he is wider than he might first appear for two reasons.

#1 Bucks that are not really tall and flare out at the top tend to be wider than you might expect.

#2 I think this is a big bodied buck. His ears stretched out flat would probably be 25"+.

I'm going to say 32" outside spread. Other pictures of him might get me to adjust my guess but I would be willing to put money on not being off by more than 2" on my guess.

BrianID · Aug 21, 2022

I'm also surprised he put a couple inches after August 10th. It is better than when you see them again and they broke off a point or two.

Founder · Aug 21, 2022

He was one of the best bucks NTO took last year, so sharing points with me wasn’t a horrible idea for Gus. Ha ha

The guy that killed the buck was probably into it $8k. I do wish Gus could have come back for the rifle hunt and got him. But congrats to those who did get him.

NTO doesn’t say on their site how wide he is, but he was definitely one of their best.

I just posted the pics because of the 2nd half of August growth.

BrianID · Aug 21, 2022

Founder said:
He was one of the best bucks NTO took last year, so sharing points with me wasn’t a horrible idea for Gus. Ha ha

The guy that killed the buck was probably into it $8k. I do wish Gus could have come back for the rifle hunt and got him. But congrats to those who did get him.

NTO doesn’t say on their site how wide he is, but he was definitely one of their best.

I just posted the pics because of the 2nd half of August growth.

You have had a better look at him. How wide do you think he is?

Due to point creep, in the future you may need to get two guys with high points to draw. I'm actually surprise you haven't moved to Wyoming. I would be living in Wyoming right now if my wife would go. One of my best friends from high school moved to Wyoming and has fantastic hunting opportunities each year that we can only dream of as nonresidents.

one_dryboot · Aug 21, 2022

Saw bucks today in Wyoming that still have inches to put on.

hossblur · Aug 21, 2022

I think Jake pretty much nailed it.

Like Founder said, the high country vegetation won't vary much because the growing season is so short it doesn't have time to dry out.

I think the later cycle breeding is becoming more of an thing because winter range is poor, and the green up happens so quick, it's screwing with cycles in both deer and elk

Founder · Aug 21, 2022

BrianID said:
You have had a better look at him. How wide do you think he is?

Due to point creep, in the future you may need to get two guys with high points to draw. I'm actually surprise you haven't moved to Wyoming. I would be living in Wyoming right now if my wife would go. One of my best friends from high school moved to Wyoming and has fantastic hunting opportunities each year that we can only dream of as nonresidents.

I’d probably guess him right at about 30. I don’t know about 32.

This year I applied with three guys! One I’ll be hunting with me, the other two will be in a different area where a couple something’s very good call home.

I’m thinking this will be my last year hunting that region. Takes so many points!! I’m not too sure how bummed I’ll be if it is the end. I really thought last year was it, but when someone reaches out wanting to go hunting, it seems foolish to pass on the opportunity, right? It’s like NOT trying to get a CO leftover tag!

I end up devoting so much time to the scouting because what excites me is so rare and I’m very competitive. The challenge to find and get them drives me too putting other fun summer stuff I like to do on hold.

I’ve done 23 days scouting this year! It’s not easy scouting either. It’s work!
Bugs, rain, heat, long miles with pack, long miles on the road, etc.
Don’t get me wrong, I appreciate having the time and health to do it, but it’s not easy and the kind of animal I’m after is so rare that it often feels like they don’t exist.

Maybe some day I’ll move up there for 7-8 months a year, with the other 4-5 somewhere warm living in the RV. But then the obsession could become even worse! Ha ha

SS! · Aug 21, 2022

Founder said:
I’d probably guess him right at about 30. I don’t know about 32.

This year I applied with three guys! One I’ll be hunting with me, the other two will be in a different area where a couple something’s very good call home.

I’m thinking this will be my last year hunting that region. Takes so many points!! I’m not too sure how bummed I’ll be if it is the end. I really thought last year was it, but when someone reaches out wanting to go hunting, it seems foolish to pass on the opportunity, right? It’s like NOT trying to get a CO leftover tag!

I end up devoting so much time to the scouting because what excites me is so rare and I’m very competitive. The challenge to find and get them drives me too putting other fun summer stuff I like to do on hold.

I’ve done 23 days scouting this year! It’s not easy scouting either. It’s work!
Bugs, rain, heat, long miles with pack, long miles on the road, etc.
Don’t get me wrong, I appreciate having the time and health to do it, but it’s not easy and the kind of animal I’m after is so rare that it often feels like they don’t exist.

Maybe some day I’ll move up there for 7-8 months a year, with the other 4-5 somewhere warm living in the RV. But then the obsession could become even worse! Ha ha

Very few people have the drive and commitment you do. Can’t wait to see what you pull out of that country this fall. Good luck!

BrianID · Aug 21, 2022

Founder said:
I’d probably guess him right at about 30. I don’t know about 32.

This year I applied with three guys! One I’ll be hunting with me, the other two will be in a different area where a couple something’s very good call home.

I’m thinking this will be my last year hunting that region. Takes so many points!! I’m not too sure how bummed I’ll be if it is the end. I really thought last year was it, but when someone reaches out wanting to go hunting, it seems foolish to pass on the opportunity, right? It’s like NOT trying to get a CO leftover tag!

I end up devoting so much time to the scouting because what excites me is so rare and I’m very competitive. The challenge to find and get them drives me too putting other fun summer stuff I like to do on hold.

I’ve done 23 days scouting this year! It’s not easy scouting either. It’s work!
Bugs, rain, heat, long miles with pack, long miles on the road, etc.
Don’t get me wrong, I appreciate having the time and health to do it, but it’s not easy and the kind of animal I’m after is so rare that it often feels like they don’t exist.

Maybe some day I’ll move up there for 7-8 months a year, with the other 4-5 somewhere warm living in the RV. But then the obsession could become even worse! Ha ha

If one of us finds out how wide he is, we will have to post it here. Even if he is only 30", that is still a rare buck to have the opportunity to hunt.

You will probably get offers in future years. I don't blame you for taking advantage of a completely legal option. It is also a great deal for the guys sharing points with you. You are probably the only nonresident that has consistently worked the system to get a tag every year. I'm sure there are a few guys that have done it once or twice but not every year. Some might be jealous and think it is wrong but you have been able to help remove a number of high point holders from the system.

I completely understand your obsession with scouting. I often enjoy the scouting trips just as much or sometimes even more than the hunting trips.

utah450 · Aug 22, 2022

I hunted a buck for a couple of years that wouldn't finish up until at least a week into archery season here in southern Utah. The first week of archery you wouldn't want to kill him. A guide on the Heaton once told me that they tell archery clients that some bucks are off limits the first week of archery because they are not done yet. It for sure happens. Maybe more the further south you get.

Deer generally drop antlers later down here. Some as late as mid-April.

ICMDEER · Aug 22, 2022

Good stuff Founder. I agree on the feed. Even in the lower elevations of Wyoming, I feel like the feed is fairly consistent. Some of the wettest years, the feed is "washy" and lacks nutritional density.

I'm not sure why some deer shed earlier, or grow later. I do agree it's likely genetic.

I agree with Nontypical. Hard to be sure, but I'd say the buck is just short of 30 inches. I'd guess 29 if I had to guess. Maybe Rob knows???

huntin50 · Aug 23, 2022

29-30 inch outside is my guess. Real nice buck. Interesting discussion. Overall antler growth is pretty good this year. Every buck is a little different. Some guys I know have grown a couple inches at age 18 and 19 years old. Some are done at 16.
I have some pictures of a buck that put on nearly 50 inches of bone between first part of July until done growing end August.

Founder · Aug 23, 2022

Maybe @RoadlessHunter could tell us what day it was he shot this video? Brad??? He shared it here on the site on July 28th.
Looks like he put on at least a couple inches.

Brad's Video