Deer with antlers this time of year?

[1eyeReD]

Call me crazy, but I saw a buck with all bone antlers along I94 yesterday hangin out with a doe munchin on grass in the Minnetonka area. I did a double take, another double take and realized I should keep my eye on the road... Then another double take. It looked to be either a big forkie or a six pointer. This was around 6:40PM.

I can't imagine this is a common thing right? Shouldn't them horns have fallen off since Feb?

[Random guy]

Ok maybe I am not losing it. I swore up and down I seen a fork yesterday running off the road ahead of me. I just figured my eyes were playing tricks on me.

[Random guy]

Ok I did some googling and found out that a healthy whitetail may keep his antlers until the new set starts to come in. Some deer have been seen in April and May with last years headgear still on. Often times it is younger deer with higher testerone and easy living.

There was also some observations that whitetails living in close proximity to massive food plots rich in nutrients held their antlers much longer.

Interesting.

[Musky Buck]

Not completely unusual at all, March is prime shed time in my area and I usually pull the camera then but have wondered how long some of them last with their antlers. But I'd definitely do a double take in later April especially May. Often about opening day of fishing usually see about an inch or three of new growth generally.

[slimngrizzly]

Ive seen and heard of bucks holding into late April. May is really pushing it! I suppose if they are in good shape and their testosterone has remained high???

BUT SOMEBODY EXPLAIN THIS!?!?!? !

[Random guy]

Ok...that makes no sense at all. Deer, fish and women, we will never figure them out.

[paceman]

Slim where is that picture from? There is a lot of green foliage in the background.

[Lunker]

photoshop? it appears as if the left(bone) antler has the curvature of a right antler...and it's the only part of the deer in contrast...

[slimngrizzly]

I wanna say Texas. Im pretty sure its legit... rare maybe... but legit. Its from Cuddes HSOforum, Walt Larsons contest deal...

[sticknstring]

I saw a different buck like that earlier today on a different site. First time I had seen it. Now I've seen it twice!

[1eyeReD]

Correction to my post... I missed a 4 when I was trying to type I494. I was on I494 going north. Saw him on the hill on left side with a sidewalk going parallel to the highway that you'll see right before the 394 exit.

[Fever]

I believe a lot of this has to do with the make up of the population as far as buck to doe ratio, food availability, and age dynamic of the herd.

The higher the ratio of does to bucks the longer the bucks will have higher levels of testosterone because the breeding season gets extended into january and even sometimes into Feb. This is not only horrible for the bucks but also extremely stressfull on the does. This also results in the following year class of fawns to be born later - thus behind in development come the following fall / winter. Anyway, when does continue to go through their cycle bucks cant help but stay all revved up - thus keeping their antlers longer. The greater the ratio of breed-able does to bucks - The younger the buck, the lower the stress, the more available the food sources - the longer the buck holds his rack.

I do not at all believe this is a good thing. I believe this stunts or holds back the growth of the next years rack. I have already seen what I believe are some 2 year old bucks and maybe one that is 3 now - that have a few inches of new growth on their heads. If some bucks are still holding their racks or even half of a rack... this will without a doubt keep them from their genetic potential.

definately not a good thing to see in Late may / early june.